BVU, Newell-Fonda Join Forces Through Strategic Partnership
Newell-Fonda Community Schools and BVU join as Strategic Partners. Through this partnership, employees and their spouses receive educational benefits at BVU.
Buena Vista University (BVU) and the Newell-Fonda Community School District have signed a Strategic Partnership that aims to benefit both entities in strengthening the communities they serve.
Under the agreement, employees of the Newell-Fonda Schools, as well as their spouses/domestic partners and dependents, may 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 administrators and teachers at Newell-Fonda seek those services and expertise.
“Having classes at BVU made even more accessible for our employees and their families through this Strategic Partnership helps strengthen our school district and our communities while also benefitting BVU at the same time. It represents a win-win scenario.”
Jeff Dicks, Newell-Fonda Superintendent of Schools
“This enhances an already strong partnership,” says Newell-Fonda Superintendent of Schools Jeff Dicks. “Every year, we’re happy to host BVU students who start on their journey toward becoming a teacher through classroom observation hours we make available at Newell-Fonda. Oftentimes, the next step sees those students coming to us as student-teachers, as we have two this semester.
“Having classes at BVU made even more accessible for our employees and their families through this Strategic Partnership helps strengthen our school district and our communities while also benefitting BVU at the same time,” Dicks says. “It represents a win-win scenario.”
Dicks, a 1990 Buena Vista University graduate, noted that nearly one-third of the Newell-Fonda faculty has direct ties to BVU, having either earned a bachelor’s degree at BVU and/or enrolled in graduate school.
“We’re very excited to be a partner with a great district like Newell-Fonda in our Strategic Partnerships initiative,” says Katie Smith, BVU Director of Strategic Partnerships. “It will be wonderful to see staff members further their education at BVU while receiving a savings in the process. It is our goal that, through education, we can create stronger cities, towns, organizations, and people across Iowa, the Midwest, and beyond.”
The Newell-Fonda Community School District, which employs just beyond 100 persons, serves 550 students PK-12.
“This is a wise move on BVU’s part and will only help solidify its reputation as an academic and community leader in Iowa and the region,” Dicks says.
“We’re excited to see Newell-Fonda employees and their families strengthen their educational experience, and their careers, through BVU’s programs made even more affordable through this partnership,” Smith concludes.
For more information about BVU’s Strategic Partnerships and partner opportunities, please visit the BVU website at bvu.edu/strategic-partnerships or contact Katie Smith at SmithK@bvu.edu.