BVU, Sieda Community Action Form Strategic Partnership
Sieda Community Action becomes a Strategic Partner with BVU, allowing their employees and their families a more accessible post-secondary education through tuition grants.
Buena Vista University (BVU) and Sieda Community Action have positioned themselves as Strategic Partners to continue to serve and sustain their communities.
This partnership allows employees of Sieda Community Action, 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.
BVU professors and staff are also available for training programs, workshops, and more should officials with Sieda Community Action seek those services and expertise.
“One of our organizational values is growth and professional development. We support and encourage our staff to be continuous learners in their roles.”
Brian Dunn, Sieda Community Action Executive Director
“A Strategic Partnership with BVU gives our employees and their family members a chance to pursue post-secondary education at a lower cost,” says Sieda Community Action Executive Director Brian Dunn. “Education is important and can be life-changing, and we look forward to having our employees utilize this benefit.”
Sieda Community Action, established in 1965, is a private, non-profit organization that focuses on strengthening families, promoting child development, and helping individuals and families with basic needs. Among one of the 16 Community Action Agencies covering 99 counties in Iowa, Sieda Community Action, which is based in Ottumwa, employs approximately 140.
“One of our organizational values is growth and professional development,” says Dunn. “We support and encourage our staff to be continuous learners in their roles.”
“The evening class schedule at BVU allowed me to continue working while still meeting the needs of my family,” says Sieda Community Action Deputy Director Tammy Hotek, BVU alum. “I'm very thankful for BVU and all that my education has afforded me and my family.”
“We are eager to partner with Sieda Community Action and provide education benefits that will help our communities flourish,” says Katie Smith, BVU Director of Strategic Partnerships. “This organization embodies BVU’s motto, ‘Education for Service,’ and we look forward to working together to serve our community.”
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.