On this week’s episode of Women Speak — a segment on Northeast Newscast — hosts Northeast News Editor-in-Chief, Julia Williams and former Missouri House Representative for District 19 Ingrid Burnett sat down with Chancellor for Metropolitan Community College (MCC) Kim Beatty (P.h.D.) to continue our series on women in education.

Beatty delves into current internal operations for MCC and how the education system has evolved over the last few years. Throughout the episode, she additionally discusses career paths that MCC offers from nursing degrees to customized training for companies. Programs, which MCC provides are also discussed including the A+ Program as well as dual credit course options for high school students prior to graduation. She goes on to share her professional background and the path that led her to her position today. Beatty also mentions a few people who have inspired her along the way along with what she considers her proudest accomplishments.

Williams shares a brief history and statistics from Pew Research Center — a nonpartisan, social science research organization based in Washington, D.C., according to its website — on the number of women in the U.S. who have obtained their bachelor’s degree over the past 30 years. Beatty expands on this to mention how these national trends are reflected on the local level. Williams additionally discusses a few women who pioneered higher education and who have paved the way for women in post-secondary education today. This includes some of the first universities to allow female admission as well as some of the first females to graduate from those universities and continue to make a difference after receiving their degree. Beatty, Burnett and Williams additionally discuss ways to get involved within higher education including boards, commissions, foundations and mentoring service opportunities.

Music used within this Women Speak episode is a song called “I Wish I Knew You Then” by Kansas City local artist Honeybee and the group’s lead female vocalist, Makayla Scott.

“I Wish I Knew You Then” is a recent single, which Honeybee released in March 2025. Honeybee’s latest single “Lindenlure,” was released on May 30 and is now available on its streaming platforms. 2025 singles “I Wish I Knew You Then,” “Charmed Life” and “Lindenlure” as well as additional Honeybee tracks are available on Spotify, Apple Music, Youtube, TIDAL and Youtube Music.

*Disclaimer* I Wish I Knew You Then and any previous or future Honeybee songs used by The Northeast News within the Women Speak podcasts are courtesy of and approved by Makayla Scott and Honeybee under proper copyright law. Honeybee songs are not royalty-free nor subject to free use and should not be used by additional publications or organizations without proper consent.

This podcast as well as all Women Speak episodes are made possible by The Northeast News, Northeast Kansas City Chamber of Commerce and Independence Avenue Community Improvement District.