BVU, Waukee Community School District Connect Through Strategic Partnership
Through a collaboration with Buena Vista University, Waukee Community School District offers educational benefits to its employees and their eligible family members.
Buena Vista University (BVU) and Waukee Community School District as Strategic Partners, providing new opportunities to transform the communities both entities serve.
This partnership allows for employees of Waukee Community School District, 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 hope our staff members see this as a meaningful opportunity for both personal and professional growth—one made possible through their role with Waukee Community School District,” said Chief Human Resources Officer Roxy Livermore. “We’re especially excited that this benefit can extend to eligible family members, creating opportunities that reach beyond the workplace to the people our employees value most. It’s one of the many ways we recognize and support the dedicated staff members who invest their time, talent, and energy in helping our students succeed.”
Waukee Community School District serves approximately 14,000 students and employs more than 2,600 staff members. The district includes the Vince Meyer Learning Center preschool; 11 elementary schools serving transitional kindergarten through fifth grade; four middle schools serving grades 6–8; two ninth-grade campuses; two comprehensive high schools; and the Waukee Innovation & Learning Center, a career-based learning center that provides students with hands-on, real-world learning experiences.
“The more our staff members learn and grow, the greater the impact they can have on our students,” Livermore said. “That’s why we are committed to investing in professional growth and lifelong learning. We offer tuition reimbursement for graduate coursework, support for certification programs that align with employees’ roles, and ongoing professional learning opportunities through conferences, workshops, and specialized training tailored to position-specific needs.”
What sets Waukee Community School District apart is its ability to offer the opportunities and resources of a large district while maintaining the relationships and sense of belonging found in a close-knit community. Students benefit from a wide range of innovative learning experiences, including the nationally recognized Aspiring Professional Experience (APEX) program, School-to-Work internships, and partnerships with local businesses that help students develop career-ready skills, explore their interests, and prepare for success after graduation.
“I graduated from BVU in 2001 with a degree in Exercise Science with a teaching emphasis and a minor in Health Education. I later earned my School Counseling and Clinical Mental Health degree. After teaching Physical and Health Education and coaching for four years, I moved into school counseling, where I've now worked for over 20 years. I am so glad I got my education at BVU! It was just the right size of school for me, and playing on the women's basketball team gave me lifelong friendships. I also met my husband at BVU! Now our oldest son is a junior at BVU studying Kinesiology and playing basketball, so Buena Vista truly feels like home to our family,” says School Counselor Kinzee Bryte. “BVU has shaped my professional career as well. I have always felt extremely prepared for the jobs I have pursued, and the personal and professional connections I made through BVU continue to make a difference today.”
“We are excited to partner with Waukee Community School District to provide educational opportunities that support the growth and development of its staff,” said BVU Director of Strategic Partnerships Laura Todd. “By expanding access to affordable, high-quality degree programs, we're investing in the educators and professionals who make a lasting difference for students every day. Together, we're helping build an even stronger workforce for the future.”
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.