A little about us.

 
 

Momentum is growing across our region for connecting students with real-world learning experiences; however, both educators and employers want more help to get started. ProX is a Real World Learning initiative providing summer professional experiences for high school students.

It provides an ideal time for focused learning and capacity building while creating paid opportunities for students to earn Market Value Assets (MVAs), learn essential skills and build social capital.

A regional Approach to Summer MVA Attainment

 

Common Front Door

Single employer intake process

Single student application process

Focus on Consistent Experiences

Internships

Client Connected Projects

Consistent Feedback Loop

Common experience survey

Connect summer to school

Enhanced Coaching Model

Weekly professional development

$1,250 stipend

1hr academic credit

Meet the Team.

  • Solissa Franco-McKay

    EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

    Solissa Franco-McKay is a nonprofit leader who currently serves as the Executive Director of Real World Initiatives (ProX), where she provides leadership to implement policies and programs to ensure the ProX program creates learning opportunities for students through connections with local businesses, in alignment with the organization's vision and strategic priorities.

    Prior to this role, she led the Kansas City Public Schools Education Foundation, which focused on initiatives and fundraising efforts to support and enhance educational opportunities for Kansas City Public Schools students. Solissa’s professional experience also includes spending a decade working for Kauffman Scholars, Inc., a Kansas City based college-access and scholarship program, where she led the career and alumni engagement strategy for the program. Early in her career, her varied professional background included both teaching in the K-12 setting as a 7th grade teacher & working in student affairs within the higher education sector. No matter the role or place, Solissa’s professional passion is to support equity-centered programming that is focused on elevating historically marginalized communities.

    Solissa holds a Bachelor of Arts in middle school education & a master’s in higher education administration from the University of Missouri – Kansas City. She holds a professional certificate in Nonprofit Board Consulting and is a certified mindfulness teacher/facilitator. As an active community member, she is a proud alumna of the Kansas City Chamber of Commerce Centurions Leadership Program, and a current board member for Nurture KC. In 2024, Solissa was honored to be named a NextGen leader by the Kansas City Business Journal.

  • Michael Robins

    PROGRAM DIRECTOR

    Michael Robins, the Program Director of ProX of the Ewing Kauffman Foundation, is a native of Kansas City, Missouri, and a graduate of Archbishop O'Hara High School, now Saint Michael the Archangel Catholic High School.

    During Robins’ time here in Kansas City, he began his post-secondary education journey at The Metropolitan Community Colleges – Penn Valley/Longview and received his Bachelor’s Degree in Secondary Education with an emphasis in Mathematics and a Master's degree in Educational Administration from the University of Missouri - Kansas City.

    Throughout his career, he has had a love for community and education. Michael began his career at 14 years old working for the City of Kansas City for the Parks and Recreation department at “The Greenhouse.” Michael had a multiple year internship with Hallmark Inc. and transitioned to an Information Technology position at Time Warner Cable for 13 years.

    His career in education began in Kansas City Public Schools at Northeast High School as an Algebra 2 and Pre-Calculus teacher. After 4 years he transitioned to Central High School as an administrator where he served for 6 years. Service has always been at the core of all he does.

    Two quotes Michael embodies are “Be the change you want to see in the world.” by Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi and “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that” by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

  • Amos Jaimes

    PROGRAM COORDINATOR

    Amos Jaimes is the ProX Program Coordinator and supports the ProX Program Director and staff in the day-to-day operations.

    Amos earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in political science and history from the University of Missouri, his Master of Educational Studies from the University of Oklahoma, and his Master of Business Administration from the University of Missouri-Kansas City.

    Amos has previously worked in multiple roles at different universities in student life and financial wellness offices.  He is excited to support students in achieving their dreams.

  • Asia Campbell

    EMPLOYER DEVELOPMENT MANAGER

    Asia is the Employer Development Manager for ProX. She is responsible for establishing and maintaining positive relationships with employers who can offer real-world, work-based learning opportunities for local youth.

    Asia builds and strengthens relationships with employers, community and civic networks, program partners and donors to ensure alignment with the quality and quantity of these work experiences. Asia is passionate about changing the lives of the youth and her community while advancing the mindset of how employers provide such opportunities.

  • Izsie Robinson

    COMMUNICATION COORDINATOR

    Izsie is in her third year with ProX and is the Communication Coordinator. She over sees communication from the website to email, flyers to our student-run social media.

    As a former middle-school teacher she is passionate about bringing Real World Learning to the youth of Kansas City and is passionate about ProX’s vision. As an entrepreneur, she is passionate about supporting KC’s local businesses and investing in the future of Kansas City.

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