Q&A: Kenneth Welch, Director of Outreach & District Partnerships

Meet Kenneth (Kenny). He joined Higher Ground back in October, 2023 to help us build connections with people and organizations across Tucson. 

Especially if you’re at an event where Higher Ground is present (i.e. at a school, table, fundraiser, etc.), you may run into him. What you’ll notice about Kenny is that he’s an amazing listener and brilliant storyteller.

We’ve asked him to share his personal story, what led him to Higher Ground, and why he’s excited to be on the team with us.

Could you share your personal journey, before you arrived at your current role?

Kenny: Born in Youngstown, Ohio, I was brought up by my mom and step-father in Newcastle, Pennsylvania where we moved, when I was a baby. It was known for better schools, which I think contributed to where I am today. However, after moving back to Ohio in the fourth grade, my stepfather left, and I found myself in a leadership role at home from a young age. 

Despite having four older brothers, I was the man of the house being one of eight kids. After high school, finding myself on house arrest—not for anything serious, just speeding—I joined the Air Force as a way to change my life. 

That's where I learned to work on aircraft, served my country, completed my associates, my bachelor's in history, and later a master's in management. I was working at Prescott College and pursuing my PhD when I realized that education wasn’t just a means to money for me. Despite working in the financial industry, I connected with Job Corps; which allowed me to engage non-profits, organizations, and community leaders, to increase the resources available to the students at Job Corps.  As a result, this relationship allows me to work directly with the students at Job Corps in myriad ways, satisfying my teaching bug.

What was the catalyst that led you to Higher Ground?

Kenny: My work at Prescott College and other experiences led me to Higher Ground.

At Higher Ground, I saw the alignment with the kind of impact I wanted to have, like my unfinished goal of starting a nonprofit for young people of color. It felt like a match made in heaven. Now as the Director of Outreach, I draw on my experience as a college recruiter. These skill sets allow me to connect with other organizations, entities, and people doing the work to improve Tucson.

What has shaped your approach to your work and your outreach goals?

Kenny: Years of coaching youth in sports, being a substitute teacher, and assistant youth director all the way to my time as a military trainer solidified my passion for community service. These experiences contribute to my work today, particularly in shaping the same kind of rigorous yet supportive strategies I found so effective in personal training to Higher Ground's mission of building communities.

What has been most memorable about your work with Higher Ground, so far?

Kenny: Witnessing a Restart SMART Site Director's interaction with a student in need was a moment that truly encapsulated our work's essence. 

The genuine care the Site Director displayed, addressing the student's immediate needs and further offering support in a humble manner, represented the love and support we strive to provide. It’s these small, yet powerful interactions I aim to communicate in outreach. Love is embedded in our mission

What do you most look forward to in the months to come? 

Kenny:

My vision for the next few years includes spreading awareness about Higher Ground. I want to build awareness around full-fidelity Community Schools, build name recognition, and create strong relationships with political figures and community leaders. We also want to leverage stories of impact, ensuring our narrative reaches beyond the sites we're currently known for in Tucson.

By establishing Higher Ground as a central, recognizable figure that's synonymous with positive impact, I believe we can better collaborate with other organizations, foster community connections, and ensure our resources are utilized where they're needed most.

What drives me is a genuine passion for helping people which I've demonstrated throughout my career. I believe Higher Ground has the potential to create waves—not just locally, but on a much broader scale. We can empower individuals to improve their circumstances, changing the world one community at a time. Loving what I do and showing that love through my work is the best part of this job.

Have Questions for Kenny or Someone Else on Our Team? 

You can reach out to the Higher Ground team, directly, here! We look forward to hearing from you and will build out our blog based on the questions we receive from you. Let’s grow together as a community. It starts with a conversation.