BVU, City of Mason City Forge Strategic Partnership
Through a collaboration with Buena Vista University, the City of Mason City offers educational benefits to its employees and their eligible family members.
Buena Vista University (BVU) and the City of Mason City have aligned as Strategic Partners, investing in and strengthening the communities both entities serve.
This partnership allows for employees of the City of Mason City, as well as eligible family members of full-time employees, to receive grant funding to lower the overall cost per credit hour while enrolled in BVU’s convenient online undergraduate programs or the organizational leadership graduate program. Partner grant funding also lowers the cost of education for students enrolled in classes at BVU’s Storm Lake campus.
“We’re super excited about this Strategic Partnership due to the fact that we do not currently have a tuition reimbursement program, and knowing that we have aspiring employees who want to move up into other positions in the organization, this is going to be a huge asset to give them the incentive and the means financially to pursue educational opportunities,” says City of Mason City Director of Human Resources Perry Buffington. “Hopefully this will allow us to both attract and retain folks; it’s a great partnership.”
"Without hesitation, I would recommend BVU to any student looking to further their education; my time there was a vital key to the success in my professional career.”
City of Mason City Assistant Finance Director Krystal Garl '00
The City of Mason City, located in north central Iowa, is home to more than 27,000 residents. The community is known for its strong musical heritage and was the birthplace of playwright Meredith Willson, author and composer of the hit Broadway musical “The Music Man,” which premiered in 1957 and drew parallels between the fictional River City and Mason City—both communities with long histories and bright futures. Mason City also boasts a rich architectural heritage, playing host to one of the largest concentrations of prairie style architecture—comprised of both residential and commercial buildings—in one location as well as the last remaining Frank Lloyd Wright-designed hotel, which has been completely renovated and restored, featuring distinctive brick and terra-cotta façade with art glass windows.
“My initial reason for attending Buena Vista University was the proximity of the campus to my home. BVU made it possible to work full time during the day and allowed me to attend night classes to further my education and gain knowledge from other nontraditional students that were already working in my profession of focus,” says City of Mason City Assistant Finance Director Krystal Garl ’00. “The instructors went above and beyond to teach with real-life scenarios rather than directly from a textbook, as they were not only instructors at BVU, but they were also working daily in the same profession that I was working toward. These same instructors soon became co-workers and mentors as I received my degree in finance and advanced in my profession. Without hesitation, I would recommend BVU to any student looking to further their education; my time there was a vital key to the success in my professional career.”
BVU has long enjoyed strong educational ties in and around Mason City, home to North Iowa Area Community College, a campus that has collaborated with BVU for decades. Students enrolled in a program through NIACC 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 Mason City through BVU’s office on the NIACC campus.
“Strengthening communities begins with access to quality and affordable education,” says BVU Director of Strategic Partnerships Laura Todd. “Buena Vista University is eager to witness the opportunities created for City of Mason City employees and their eligible family members by our collaboration through this Strategic Partnership.”
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.