BVU, Rudd-Rockford-Marble Rock Schools Join In Strategic Partnership
Collaboration with Buena Vista University broadens educational benefits for Rudd-Rockford-Marble Rock Community School District employees and their eligible family members.
Buena Vista University (BVU) and the Rudd-Rockford-Marble Rock Community School District have cemented a bond as Strategic Partners to help support those who educate students while strengthening their communities and the people they serve.
This partnership allows for employees of Rudd-Rockford-Marble Rock 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 undergraduate programs or the organizational leadership graduate program.
“Anytime there is an opportunity for individuals to receive discounts for working for a place that values their education is a win,” says Rudd-Rockford-Marble Rock Community School District Counselor Travis Pike. “The educational opportunities BVU provides will allow our staff to receive first class support in their studies, while the financial opportunities will allow individuals to save money and still receive the same great educational benefits.”
"BVU provided an excellent teaching staff and helpful advisors. Without communication from my advisor, managing my classes would have been challenging. Balancing full-time work, raising a child, and pursuing my degree would not have been possible without the support of my teachers. They were more than willing to clarify any questions I might have had and were flexible with due dates. Buena Vista University was the best choice for me and played a crucial role in shaping my teaching career.”
Rudd-Rockford-Marble Rock Middle School/High School ELA Teacher Taylor Johnson ’17
The Rudd-Rockford-Marble Rock School District, located in rural Floyd County in northern Iowa, boasts about 110 professionals who educate about 420 students in grades K-12 at the district’s one school building in Rockford. The school district prides itself on its educational excellence, and it maintains a sense of community, which was evident when severe weather blew through the rural area in 2021.
“The RRMR community is close-knit with everyone coming together to support each other,” says Pike. “Two years ago, there was a December tornado that tore through the district. During that time, everyone came out to help others in the community.”
“I chose Buena Vista University because I did not follow a traditional student pathway. With mostly online and evening classes, I was able to work a full-time job to support my family while attending school full time,” says Rudd-Rockford-Marble Rock Middle School/High School ELA Teacher Taylor Johnson, ’17. "BVU provided an excellent teaching staff and helpful advisors. Without communication from my advisor, managing my classes would have been challenging. Balancing full-time work, raising a child, and pursuing my degree would not have been possible without the support of my teachers. They were more than willing to clarify any questions I might have had and were flexible with due dates. Buena Vista University was the best choice for me and played a crucial role in shaping my teaching career.”
“Buena Vista University is thrilled to partner with the Rudd-Rockford-Marble Rock Community School District through our Strategic Partnerships initiative,” says BVU Director of Strategic Partnerships Laura Todd. “By providing affordable, accessible education, we look forward to the opportunities this collaboration will create for Rudd-Rockford-Marble Rock Schools employees and their family members.”
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.