BVU and Fairfield schools connect through Strategic Partnership
Strategic Partnership allows for employees of the Fairfield schools, as well as eligible family members of full-time employees, to receive grant funding to lower the overall cost of education while enrolled in classes at BVU’s Storm Lake campus, and more.
Buena Vista University (BVU) and the Fairfield Community School District have joined forces as Strategic Partners to help strengthen their communities and beyond.
This partnership allows for employees of the Fairfield schools, as well as eligible family members of full-time employees, to receive grant funding to lower the overall cost of education while enrolled in classes at BVU’s Storm Lake campus. Partner grant funding also lowers the cost per credit hour for students enrolled in BVU’s convenient online/hybrid undergraduate programs or the organizational leadership graduate program.
BVU professors and staff are also available for training programs, workshops, and more should officials at Fairfield seek those services and expertise.
“We are excited about our partnership with Buena Vista University as it represents avenues forward in education and self-betterment, winning formulas for a hardworking, innovative district like ours,” says Fairfield Superintendent of Schools Laurie Noll. “The great benefit through BVU is another tool we can use to attract, retain, and embolden our wonderful employees and their family members as they access higher education, both on the Storm Lake campus and through a partner we (Fairfield) and BVU both share, Indian Hills Community College.”
“We are excited about our partnership with Buena Vista University as it represents avenues forward in education and self-betterment, winning formulas for a hardworking, innovative district like ours.”
Fairfield Superintendent of Schools Laurie Noll
The Fairfield Community School District, located in Fairfield, provides educational programs for 1,600 students of Fairfield, and the surrounding communities Libertyville, Lockridge, and Pleasant Plains. Through a regional partnership with Indian Hills CC, students have increased learning opportunities with college exposure. Initiatives such as Project Lead the Way and our agriculture curriculum expose students to engineering and other career opportunities.
“Attending Buena Vista University gave me the preparation I needed to become an educator,” says Deb Matthews, a 2008 BVU graduate who attended BVU classes through Indian Hills Community College in Ottumwa. “I graduated feeling confident that I would be successful in the teaching profession. The knowledge gained was invaluable in preparing me to teach secondary business classes. I liked the fact that I could earn an endorsement along the way as well. The satellite campus in the city I live in made it very convenient to earn my bachelor's degree. It was also a lot of fun to drive up to Storm Lake and attend the graduation ceremony. I am very grateful for my experience at Buena Vista University.”
BVU has long enjoyed educational ties with Indian Hills Community College as students enrolled in a program through Indian Hills CC can seamlessly transfer their credits toward their bachelor’s degree at BVU. Students receive personalized support including admissions and enrollment counseling and academic advising in nearby Ottumwa through BVU’s office on the Indian Hills CC campus.
“Buena Vista University is excited to partner with the Fairfield Community School District as we both strive to challenge and reward students and their communities through dedicated teachers, supportive community members, and initiatives such as the Strategic Partnership,” says BVU Director of Strategic Partnerships Laura Todd. “We are proud to have a partner in the Fairfield CSD as we all aim to strengthen Iowa and points beyond.”
For more information about BVU’s Strategic Partnerships and partner opportunities, please visit the BVU website at bvu.edu/strategic-partnerships or contact Strategic Partnerships at StrategicPartnerships@bvu.edu.