Dr. Candace Villanueva Greer is a proud graduate of Sumner Academy of Arts and Science, Class of 2011. Her journey through Kansas City’s educational ecosystem, particularly as an alumna of KCKPS, deeply informs her commitment to ensuring that every student has access to meaningful, high-quality postsecondary pathways. Now, in her professional capacity, she has the distinct privilege of giving back to the very school district that helped shape her.
Through her work at PREP-KC, a longstanding partner of KCKPS, Dr. Greer supports the next generation of KCKPS students. She partners in the design, coordination, and implementation of immersive college and career experiences for students from
kindergarten through 12th grade. This includes orchestrating hands-on learning opportunities, exposure to in-demand career fields, and engagements that build both aspiration and preparation for life beyond high school.
Her role is rooted in a deep commitment to educational equity, community engagement, and measurable student impact. By building bridges between school systems, industry leaders, and postsecondary institutions, Dr. Greer works to close opportunity gaps and ensure students are not only imagining successful futures but also equipped with the tools and guidance to reach them. A strong advocate of data-informed practice, she also leads efforts to visualize and communicate the impact of college and career readiness programming, ensuring that student outcomes drive strategic improvement and sustained support.
Dr. Greer’s work reflects a full-circle narrative of purpose: a former KCKPS student now serving as a leader and partner in creating transformative opportunities for the district’s students. She also had the opportunity to write and publish her first children's book, All the Possibilities, which introduces elementary students to education options they can look forward to after high school. Dr. Greer is committed to planting seeds of curiosity, confidence, and purpose to support future college graduates, workforce leaders, and engaged citizens who will shape their communities for generations to come. She is also deeply involved in her community through volunteerism. She serves as a board member for the local chapter of the American Lung Association in Kansas City. Furthermore, she is committed to health equity, particularly in the area of lung health, which disproportionately affects communities of color. Moreover, she also supports Holy Name of Jesus Catholic School’s mission as a member of the school’s Business Team. This school serves primarily students of color and students impacted by poverty. Her advocacy for equity and serving communities in need extends beyond her career; it is a passion of hers.
Your support of the Reasons to Believe campaign helps us celebrate and uplift the outstanding individuals in our community while also providing vital scholarships and resources that empower students to achieve their dreams.
