Robert Sagastume, MSW, MSP

Impact Officer - College Access & Completion

Kansas City, Missouri, United States

About

Determined professional influencing policy makers to create evidence-based policy solutions through a strategic and collaborative framework that prioritizes the voices of individuals impacted. Experience in advocating, designing, and implementing evidence-based policy solutions. Demonstrated ability to build and lead teams with diverse stakeholders towards supporting underrepresented students’ with college success.

Experience

  • Impact Officer - College Access & Completion at Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation
    Jan 2025 - Present · 1 yr 6 mos

    This role focuses on managing a diverse grant portfolio which as a shared goal of fostering financial stability, upward mobility, and economic prosperity for under-resourced communities in the Kansas City region. This is all done through the college access & completion strategies priorities because of their anticipated power to advance economic mobility.

  • Hispanic Development Fund (Full-time · 3 yrs)
    • Community Impact Officer
      Jun 2024 - Dec 2024 · 7 mos

    • Senior Student Advisor
      Jan 2022 - Jun 2024 · 2 yrs 6 mos

  • Student Advisor at The Scholarship Foundation of St. Louis
    May 2018 - Jan 2022 · 3 yrs 9 mos

    Advise low-income and underrepresented students focused on sustainable and attainable post-secondary academic success Develop effective methods for communication with students early in the college and financial aid application processes, including workshops and training sessions Utilize reflective listening, emotional support, and resource referral to better serve student’s needs Serves as liaison between school, family, and community agencies to foster active engagement. Maintains case history records and prepares reports for internal or external distribution Provides financial literacy education and guidance throughout financial aid and repayment options Represents the Scholarship Foundation at local, state, regional, and national conferences and prepares and delivers presentations on areas of expertise Screens applicants in need of funds. Makes recommendations regarding applicant’s eligibility on available scholarships

  • Legislative Assistant Intern at Missouri House of Representatives
    Jan 2018 - May 2018 · 5 mos

    Collaborated on qualitative research to inform constituents of policies impacting immigrant communities Tracked legislative bills, hearings, and amendments Generated short policy brief Provided administrative support to the legislative aide

  • Graduate Research Assistant, Center for Social Development, at Washington University in St. Louis
    Sep 2017 - May 2018 · 9 mos

    Conducted literature reviews and managed related data onto a computer drive Developed partnership within immigrant community, students, and stakeholders Tracked midterm elections & legislative proposals targeting voter rights Translated documentation from English to Spanish