BVU, Community First Broadcasting Join In Strategic Partnership
Collaboration with Buena Vista University offers educational benefits to Community First Broadcasting employees and their eligible family members.
Buena Vista University (BVU) and Community First Broadcasting have entered a Strategic Partnership that mutually benefits both organizations as they strive to strengthen the communities they serve.
This partnership allows for employees of Community First Broadcasting, 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 undergraduate programs or the organizational leadership graduate program.
“This Strategic Partnership is a definite advantage to offer not only to our staff members, but to their families as well,” says Storm Lake Radio General Manager Laura Hanks.
“I chose Buena Vista University because they offered flexible schedules for non-traditional students. With a mix of online and in-person schedules, I was able to work full time and complete my degree without being overwhelmed.”
Dakota & Community First Broadcasting Accountant Lisa Johnston ’13.
Community First Broadcasting is a broadcast media production and distribution company headquartered in Sioux Falls, S.Dak. The organization, which maintains about 60 full-time employees, owns more than a dozen radio stations in northwest Iowa and southwest Minnesota, including two in Sheldon, three in Storm Lake, three in the Spencer and Spirit Lake areas, three in Storm Lake, and two in Jackson, Minn. Community First Broadcasting’s parent company, Dakota Broadcasting, also owns two stations in the Aberdeen, S.Dak. market.
“I chose Buena Vista University because they offered flexible schedules for non-traditional students. With a mix of online and in-person schedules, I was able to work full time and complete my degree without being overwhelmed,” says Dakota & Community First Broadcasting Accountant Lisa Johnston ’13. “The administrative staff was great to work with as they helped me get credits transferred and set up a schedule where I was completing only classes that I needed. Because of their attention and assistance, I was able to graduate quickly and not waste my time or money on classes that I didn’t need. The in-class experience was fantastic with smaller class sizes allowing for enriched open discussions and more attention to questions. The online classes were great for my flexibility but still provided a learning experience with group discussions and professors who were involved. I am so grateful for my time at BVU and highly recommend BVU to anyone looking for an elevated educational experience.”
BVU has long enjoyed strong educational ties in and around Spencer, home to Iowa Lakes Community College, a campus that has collaborated with BVU for decades. Students enrolled in a program through Iowa Lakes 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 Spencer through BVU’s office on the Iowa Lakes campus.
“Buena Vista University is eager to welcome Community First Broadcasting as a new member of our Strategic Partnerships initiative,” says BVU Director of Strategic Partnerships Laura Todd. “We look forward to seeing Community First Broadcasting’s employees strengthen their careers through education while benefiting the communities they serve.”
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.