Business : BVU, North Star Community Services establish Strategic Partnership

Collaboration allows for employees of North Star Community Services, as well as eligible family members of employees, to receive grant funding to lower the overall cost of education.

Storm Lake, Iowa (July 19, 2022) - Buena Vista University (BVU) and North Star Community Services have established a Strategic Partnership to create opportunities and strengthen the communities both organizations serve.

This partnership allows for employees of North Star Community Services, 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.

"We are excited to become a Strategic Partner with Buena Vista University, as it provides a win-win situation that benefits our employees, their families, and the communities we serve," says North Star Community Services Director of Donor & Public Relations Jodie Muller. "This educational benefit is a great opportunity that will open doors for many individuals."

North Star Community Services is a nonprofit rehabilitative services agency aimed at meeting the needs of adults with a wide range of disabilities, including age-related deficits and challenges such as dementia. Based in Waterloo, the organization's objective is for each person to realize their potential, pursue their dreams, and enjoy life.

The organization-which was founded in 1975-employs more than 100, and has additional locations in Marshalltown, Mason City, New Hampton, Vinton, and Waverly.

BVU has long enjoyed strong educational ties in and around Marshalltown, home to Marshalltown Community College, a campus that has collaborated with BVU for decades. Students enrolled in a program through MCC 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 Marshalltown through BVU's office on the MCC campus.

"BVU is proud to partner with North Star Community Services, an organization which strives to help others achieve their goals," says BVU Director of Strategic Partnerships Laura Todd. "We hope to open opportunities for individuals as they work to better themselves and 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.