College CAreers AND
September 8 & 9, 2021
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Erika Pritchard, UNK Communications
Kearney Catholic junior Erin Huddleston, right, practices a physical therapy exercise last summer during the Health Science Explorers summer camp.
UNK’s Health Science Explorers program addresses state’s workforce shortage TYLER ELLYSON UNK Communications KEARNEY – Erin Huddleston recognizes the impact health care providers have on their patients. The Kearney Catholic junior was born with cystic fibrosis, a genetic disease that damages the lungs and digestive system. She’s been around doctors and other medical professionals her entire life and felt the joy they can bring to people struggling with a medical issue. “I want to help others have that same feeling,” she said. Huddleston knows she wants to work in the health care field, but she hasn’t picked a specific profession yet. That’s one of the reasons why she signed up for the Health Science Explorers summer
camp hosted by the University of Nebraska at Kearney. “I figured coming here would open my eyes a little bit,” said Huddleston, one of 20 students from a dozen communities who attended the July 16th event at the Bruner Hall of Science on campus. Organized by UNK Health Sciences, the camp gave high schoolers a chance to learn more about health care careers and UNK programs while participating in hands-on activities. They studied the circulatory system using beef hearts and lungs, practiced physical therapy exercises and gave suturing a try. The summer camps are part of a larger UNK program designed to grow Nebraska’s health workforce and address an urgent need for more medical professionals
across the state. UNK’s Health Science Explorers program will help meet this demand by connecting with students earlier in their academic careers and creating a “talent pipeline” for the state. The program starts in middle school, when seventh and eighth graders are invited to campus for Health Science Explorers Days that introduce them to the possibility of pursuing a professional career in this area. Things get more indepth from there. High schoolers can attend summer camps, career fairs and other campus events, allowing them to enroll at UNK with a clearer picture of their preferred path. Students who choose a professional
program offered by the University of Nebraska Medical Center can apply for the Kearney Health Opportunities Program (KHOP), which provides full-tuition scholarships to UNK and guaranteed admission into UNMC, assuming all requirements are met. KHOP is available to students from rural Nebraska who are committed to practicing there. Ultimately, Calahan wants to see students transition from UNK to UNMC, then into a job somewhere in the state. “We want to keep them here,” she said. “There are so many rural areas across Nebraska that need people to fill these roles.” Anyone interested in learning more about UNK’s Health Science Explorers camp can visit unk.edu/explorers.
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Wayne State adds new majors and keeps college affordable
Wayne State is starting the Fall 2021 semester with new academic programs and a continuing commitment to remain the most affordable four-year college in our region. Learn more today at www.wsc.edu
New programs of study Wayne State added new concentrations and focus areas to meet student demand for several academic pathways. New programs of study included Digital Film Production and Theory Concentration (bachelor’s), Sports Media Concentration (bachelor’s), Supply Chain
Management (bachelor’s and MBA), Human Resource Management (MBA), Special Education Supervision Focus (MSE), and a Creative Writing minor.
Wayne State and Nebraska State College system push to maintain affordability The Nebraska State Colleges Board of Trustees unanimously voted to freeze the tuition rate and fee schedules for Chadron, Peru, and Wayne State Colleges for the 2021-22 academic year. The tuition freeze applies to un-
dergraduate and graduate, resident and nonresident students, and online rates. The tuition freeze is a continuation of access and affordability initiatives that the state colleges have implemented over the past year. • Reduced Undergraduate Online Rates/Opportunities for Degree Completion: The state colleges lowered the undergraduate online rate to $299 per credit hour, making it the best education value in Nebraska. The rate is a flat cost per credit hour and does not require any additional fees. Learn more at https:// www.nscs.edu/news-detail/ online-rate-degree-completion
• Graduate Online Rate Reduced for Education Courses: The state colleges lowered their online rate to $359 per credit hour for graduate-level courses for PK-12 educators. Graduate level courses that lead to master’s degrees in curriculum and instruction, special education, and history/math/science education are included in the new rate, making these degrees among the most affordable in the state for teachers. Learn more at https://www.nscs. edu/news-detail/2020-06-16grad-online-rates • State College Guarantee: Ensures that Pell-qualified Nebraska students can attend
Wayne State College tuition-free. • Free Application: It is always free to apply! • New Career-Focused Scholarships: Innovative scholarships focused on high-need career areas are available at the state colleges through the Career Scholarship Program. Learn more at https://www.nscs.edu/career-scholarship. The Northeast Nebraska Growing Together Program, an Aksarben cooperative education workforce initiative available through Wayne State, combines classroom education with real work experience for college credit. Learn more at https://www.wsc.edu/growtogether
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Marshall donation to create sports complex at IWCC Peter Huguenin The Daily Nonpareil Iowa Western Community College baseball and softball are receiving a new home after a large donation from a retired Council Bluffs doctor and his wife. Dr. John and Jean Marshall have donated $3 million to help create new baseball and softball fields for IWCC. The Marshalls were also were responsible for
the main donation and creation of the Dr. John and Jean Marshall Wellness Center located on the campus in Council Bluffs. “The new baseball and softball complex is a transformative project that will provide our student athletes with firstclass facilities for many years to come,” said Iowa Western President Dr. Dan Kinney in a press release. “The generosity and vision of Dr. John and Jean Marshall will positively impact this institution and
our student athletes and set us apart from our peers in the National Junior College Athletic Association.” The new complex, located on the western edge of campus, will feature field turf throughout the infield and outfield for both sports, along with new fencing, back stops, field lights, restrooms and digital scoreboards. A press box will also be reconstructed on the baseball side of the complex.
“Jean and I feel fortunate to be in the position to help Iowa Western grow and serve students in Council Bluffs, Omaha and Southwest Iowa,” Dr. Marshall said. “Iowa Western is a premier educational institution and we believe helping to provide facilities like the Wellness Center and Baseball-Softball Complex only expands on the many great opportunities for students.
Iowa Western Community College continues to grow Iowa Western Community College in Council Bluffs is a fully accredited educational institution offering more than 80 career, college-transfer and technical programs. Nestled on 250 beautiful acres in Iowa’s Loess Hills, Iowa Western provides students with a “big-school” atmosphere in a quiet setting. After successfully navigating a challenging 2020 school year impacted by the Covid 19 pandemic, the college is poised to offer face-to-face classroom instruction in Fall 2021 and Spring 2022. Iowa Western’s countless campus activities are back in full swing and provide students with a fun-filled college experience. Construction is completed on Iowa Western’s new-
est campus attraction, a transformative student wellness and fitness center. The Dr. John and Jean Marshall Wellness Center is an 80,000-square foot facility featuring basketball and volleyball courts, state-of-the-art fitness and weight equipment, aerobics and yoga classrooms along with a 90-yard indoor field turf. Iowa Western also offers a variety of activities that help students enjoy a well-rounded college experience. The Arts Center, which has garnered national awards for its architectural beauty, is home to theater, dance and musical productions in addition to an exciting national touring season. The college’s radio station, 89.7 The River, broadcasts live from the Council Bluffs campus and
BeYouAtIW.com / 712.325.3277
This is where my passion became my major. With more than 80 areas of study, including online and hands-on courses, discovering your career is easy at Iowa Western.
Zoe, Student
offers a popular alternative rock music format. KIWR is one of the top radio stations in the Omaha Metro area. Iowa Western’s student center features culinary arts classrooms, a wireless access library and full-service cafeteria. The college’s suite-style housing complex and modern apartments give students a chance to encounter the ultimate college experience on a safe and easily accessible campus. The campus in Council Bluffs is now home to 1,400 residential students. Call today for more information about one of the fastest growing colleges in the region. Call toll free 800432-5852, or visit us on the web at www.iwcc.edu. “The World is Waiting” for college graduates!
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Tips for dorm room and campus safety Metro Creative Connection Life on a college campus can be exciting, especially for freshmen enjoying their first taste of life away from home. As exciting as campus life can be, it also can be a bit nerve-wracking for students who have never before had to fend for themselves. Administrators and security personnel work to make school environments as safe as possible, but incidents can happen on any campus. Students need not live in fear on campus, but embracing various safety measures can make life at school that much safer. • Hide or lock up valuables. You never know what may catch the eye of a thief. Devices and cash are near the top of lists of most commonly stolen possessions,
but a desperate student may steal notes or even expensive textbooks if he or she is struggling. Always close doors and lock dorm rooms when leaving. Keep valuables out of sight at school. Consider buying a dorm room safe and lock your locker at all times. • Prepare for emergencies. Research the school’s policies on emergency preparedness. Some have text alert systems for emergency situations like adverse weather conditions, while others have clear guidelines on what students should do if they feel threatened in any way. Participate in fire drills and learn the nearest exits and protocols for emergency evacuations. • Utilize the buddy system. Most campuses are safe to move around, but
it can’t hurt to schedule certain classes, particularly if they take place after dark, with a friend so you can walk to and from classes together. Security experts say that elevators and stairwells are common places for assailants to target victims. If you ever feel uncomfortable, trust your instincts and err on the side of caution. • Install window alarms. Many retailers sell battery-operated window alarms that can be adhered to windows. The alarms will activate if the window is opened or the glass breaks. These alarms can provide extra security even if your dorm room isn’t on the ground floor. • Be alert when ridesharing. The safety resource Safety.com says rideshare crimes are on the rise. Always identify your driver and vehicle before getting in
and ask the driver to identify your name, as he or she will have it and your destination. Wait for the ride in a safe place, and try to avoid riding alone. • Maintain personal health. Be sure to visit the doctor and stay current on necessary vaccinations, such as the one for meningococcal disease. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says the risk for meningococcal disease in college students is slightly higher than the risk in other teens and young adults who are not attending college. Other communicative diseases can spread more easily on campus as well. Campus and dorm safety is multifaceted. Informed students can reduce their risk of being involved in accidents or being targeted by criminals.
How students can transition to life on a college campus
Metro Creative Connection Much has been made of the challenges that have faced students and their families during the COVID-19 pandemic. The shift to remote learning and shortened school days was difficult for many families, forcing students to adapt to virtual school on the fly as their parents adjusted to working from home full-time while doing their best to keep kids engaged in their studies and occupied when school let out each day. Given those challenges, it’s no wonder so many families are looking forward to what figures to be a more normal school year in 2021-22. But that return will pose its own unique challenges as well. Some students may be a little anxious as they prepare to return to campus this fall. That transition could be especially difficult for incoming college freshmen, who must overcome any pandemic-related concerns about returning to campus while also making the transition to life on a college campus. The following are some ways to make that transition go smoothly. • Engage in the community. The Health, Counseling and Disability Access Services at the University of Missouri-St. Louis urges students to take advantage of opportunities to engage in their new communities as early as possible. The HCDAS notes that first-year experiences are designed to help students connect with their new life on campus and make new
friends. All incoming freshmen are facing the same set of unique circumstances as the 2021-22 school year begins. That includes the adjustment from remote learning with limited social contact with peers to a return to more traditional academic and social settings. Navigating that transition alongside other incoming freshmen can make it a little easier to handle. • Plan ahead. Parents and their college-bound children can prepare for the coming school year by learning about on-campus policies over the summer. Will masks be mandated? Will classrooms remain socially distanced? Are vaccinations required to attend class in person? The sooner families learn these policies, the sooner they can begin planning for life on campus. Parents also can look into on-campus resources designed to help students readjust to being back among their peers. Knowing where to go for help should students need it can ensure any issues that arise are addressed promptly. • Encourage students to share their concerns. Opening up about any concerns they may have can help students as they emerge from the pandemic. Many parents were concerned about returning to the office in person, and they can share those concerns and the ultimate outcomes of their returns with students concerned about moving onto a college campus. Parents are urged to periodically check in with college students about any anxieties they may have about being on
campus. Returning to full-time, in-person learning after the pandemic may be especially challenging for incoming college
freshmen. Such students can work with their parents over the summer to conquer their fears and prepare for the coming school year.
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New certificates, facilities greet students at SCC Choosing whether to go to college is a big decision. Choosing where to go to college is just as big. Four-year institutions certainly have their place in the higher education landscape, but so do community colleges. In fact, community colleges are better positioned to bridge the gap between education and the workforce. They can do it faster and more efficiently. Southeast Community College is serious about graduating students with skills that meet the needs of employers within Nebraska. SCC works with business and industry to design and implement technical education programs that meet the skills needs of employers. SCC also has begun adding numerous short-term training initiatives, such as certificates, that students can use as a stepping stone toward a diploma or
associate degree, or to skill-up in their current job. To date, 18 of SCC’s 60 programs of study offer certificates. They are: Automotive Technology (Lincoln and Milford) Biotechnology (Lincoln and Online) Building Construction Technology (Milford) Business (Beatrice, Lincoln, Milford, and Online) Culinary/Hospitality (Lincoln) Dietary Manager (Online) Early Childhood Education (Lincoln and Online) Electrical & Electromechanical Technology (Milford) Energy Generation Operations (Milford) Geographic Information Systems Technician (Online) Healthcare Services (Beatrice, Lincoln, Milford, and Online) Human Services (Lincoln)
Long Term Care Administration (Online) Polysomnographic Technology (Online) Precision Agriculture (Beatrice) Professional Truck Driver Training (Milford) Surgical First Assist (Online) Welding Technology (Lincoln) While there is an obvious benefit to current workers, short-term training can also help students right out of high school dip their toe into higher education without a huge investment. If you are interested in a new career or upgrading your skills, SCC can get you trained in one term with our short-term training. These courses are skills-focused, providing basic skills required in a specific field. SCC offers these classes online, faceto-face or a hybrid of both to make it easier for students to
complete their training. In fall 2021, SCC opened a new residence hall on the Milford Campus, Meadow Hall, and celebrated its relocated learning center in Nebraska City at 1406 Central Ave. A general classroom building on the Beatrice Campus, the Academic Excellence Center, opened in January 2021, while the Health Sciences Facility on the Lincoln Campus opened in late 2020. These new facilities, and more being built, offer students modern lecture and lab spaces that will prepare them for a successful future. SCC’s 2021-2022 tuition and fee rate is $114 per credit hour (Nebraska residents), but the cost to attend the College can be a hurdle for many people. That is why SCC offers the Gap Assistance Program. It provides need-based financial support for tuition and other eligible costs for approved, short-term
training focused on employment. Students who qualify for GAP may receive full or partial assistance with direct training costs, including tuition, books, required fees, and equipment. Students in their junior and senior year of high school should be seriously looking at colleges. Plan a visit to SCC either in-person or virtually at www.southeast.edu/visitscc. And, if you are graduating from high school in December, registration for SCC’s 2022 Spring Semester begins Oct. 25. The first day of the 2022 Spring Semester is Jan. 10. For a complete look at all SCC offers, including on-campus housing, student support services, intercollegiate athletics, and more, go to www.southeast.edu.
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Culinary
Diesel Technology
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60 Career/Technical programs + Transfer; campuses in Beatrice, Lincoln and Milford; On-campus housing in Beatrice and Milford; Learning Centers in Falls City, Hebron, Nebraska City, Plattsmouth, Wahoo, and York; 10 Intercollegiate Athletic programs on the Beatrice Campus (five for women, five for men); Current in-state Tuition & Fees of $114 per credit hour!
Plan your in-person or virtual visit today at www.southeast.edu/visitscc
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YOUR FUTURE STARTS HERE Peru State College provides the personalized, relevant, flexible, student-centered education that should be expected from higher education. Best of all, we do it for one of the most affordable price tags in the country!
Your Personalized, Relevant Education You will engage in relevant coursework right from the start that can be applied directly to your career interests.
Our Flexible, Student-Centered Learning On-campus, online and hybrid options are available to help you complete your degree on your time in a place convenient for you.
Affordable Tuition, Minimal Debt
Peru State has one of the lowest overall tuition rates in the nation. Our One Rate, Any State program allows students to attend for the same low in-state tuition rate, regardless of residency.
Nebraska’s First College • Established in 1867 • Peru, Nebraska • 1-800-742-4412 | Member Institution of the Nebraska State College System Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission since 1915 • Accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE)