BVU, Bishop Heelan Catholic Schools join in Strategic Partnership
A Strategic Partnership between Buena Vista University and Bishop Heelan Catholic Schools will equip Heelan employees and their eligible family members with educational benefits.
Buena Vista University (BVU) and Bishop Heelan Catholic Schools (BHCS) have joined in a Strategic Partnership that encourages growth and educational opportunities within the communities they serve.
This partnership allows for employees of BHCS, 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.
“We are delighted to partner with Buena Vista University to help our interested Bishop Heelan School System faculty and staff earn a graduate degree and make college more affordable for their children and spouses."
John Flanery, BHCS President
BVU professors and staff continue to be available to BHCS for training programs, workshops, and more. Since the Fall of 2020, BVU has worked in partnership with BHCS, providing training, consultation, and professional development plans that support inclusion. Dr. Karin Strohmyer, Associate Professor of Education for Special Education, along with three BVU students, Nicole Lange, Wade Adcock, and Samantha Louwagie, have assisted BHCS to identify sustainable resources and policies for the Bishop Heelan school and community.
“It has been rewarding working with Bishop Heelan Catholic Schools to enhance their programs and services for students,” says Dr. Strohmyer. “At BVU, we believe in Education for Service, and this is just one example of how we strive to serve our communities.”
“We are delighted to partner with Buena Vista University to help our interested Bishop Heelan School System faculty and staff earn a graduate degree and make college more affordable for their children and spouses,” says BHCS President John Flanery.
More than 175 employees of BHCS serve approximately 1,560 students from the Sioux City metro area. The school system serves students grades PK-12 in five schools through Sioux City, including the Dual Language Academy, PK-1; Sacred Heart School, PK-8; Mater Dei PK, PK-8; Holy Cross School, 3-year old through eighth grade; and Bishop Heelan High School, 9-12.
“Our faculty works to offer a lifetime advantage to every student,” says Flanery. “With nearly 95 percent of our graduates seeking college degrees, it’s clear that a college education is important in the Bishop Heelan family.”
“My education at BVU has provided me with experiences that have prepared me to take on real-world situations in the classroom,” says Sacred Heart School physical education teacher Justin Fejfar, a BVU graduate. “I am excited about our partnership, as it provides an opportunity to explore more within our educational community and field.”
BVU has long enjoyed strong educational ties in and around Sioux City, home to Western Iowa Tech Community College, a campus that has collaborated with BVU for many years. Students enrolled in a program through WITCC can seamlessly transfer their credits toward their bachelor’s degree at BVU. Students receive personalized support including admissions and enrollment counseling, and academic advising right in Sioux City through BVU’s office on the WITCC campus.
“BVU is proud to partner with Bishop Heelan Catholic Schools and provide educational benefits to their employees and eligible family members,” says BVU Director of Strategic Partnerships Laura Todd. “Our goal at BVU is to strengthen communities by offering educational benefits and increasing access to education.”
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.