College Profiles 2015

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SUNDAY, JANUARY 25, 2015

2014 College

WINTER

Profiles

Your guide to Postsecondary Education Opportunities in Siouxland

An advertising Supplement to the Sioux City Journal

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SUCCESS OUTSIDE THE CLASSROOM You’ll have plenty of opportunities for personal growth while earning your degree at Northeast Community College. Our faculty will help you gain skills to start your career though internships or studying abroad.

Explore your professional and social interests through our multitude of clubs and organizations. There is something for everyone at Northeast.

Schedule your personalized visit at northeast.edu/Campus-Visit.

success starts here.

Main Campus 801 E. Benjamin Ave. | Norfolk, NE 68701 402-371-2020 | northeast.edu Extended Campus Locations O’Neill, South Sioux City, and West Point

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Reaching Dreams Doesn’t Have to Be Expensive!

Northeast is offering a reduced tuition rate for South Dakota and Iowa students!

Students from South Dakota and Iowa will only pay ONE DOLLAR per credit hour more than Nebraska students!

SUNDAY, JANUARY 25, 2015

New Buildings, New Opportunities Come tour our campus. W C We would ld l llove to show h you around! d!

Our Norfolk campus continues to grow as it expands its facilities and programs to meet the needs of our students and communities. This includes recent renovations to the Information Technology Building and the new construction of the Applied Technology Building and Residence Hall.

Applied Technology Building

success starts here.

Main Campus 801 E. Benjamin Ave. | Norfolk, NE 68701 402-371-2020 | northeast.edu Extended Campus Locations: O’Neill, South Sioux City, and West Point

The 66,613 square foot building under construction at the north end of our Norfolk campus will house the Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC), Building Construction, Electromechanical, Electrical Construction and Control, and Wind Energy Technology programs.

The $9.1 million facility will include classrooms, faculty offices, labs for hands-on-training, lab support areas including a fabrication/tool room, storage areas, and a student lounge/study area to serve over 200 students.

Construction is underway and classes are expected to begin in spring 2015.

Information Technology (Echtenkamp) Building The newly renovated building showcases new, customized degree options. The Information Technology program offers

five concentrations and stand-alone certificates in the following areas: Web and Visual Application Development, IBMi Application Development, Information Security, Technical Services Support and Cisco Networking. You can receive a customized associate of applied science degree program (AAS), based on your career goals of working in information technology.

New Residence Hall Also on the Norfolk campus, a new residence hall will be built for occupancy in January 2016. The plans call for an $11 million, 79,000 square foot residence hall which will be able to accommodate approximately 200 students.

Currently, the Norfolk campus has two halls that house over 350 students. The design for the residence hall will be 4-person, suite-style units with separate bedrooms for each resident.

The site proposed is immediately west of the current dormitories, with space outlined for future growth. A new cafeteria is slated to be built in between the two proposed sites.

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EducationQuest Foundation: Dordt College–Find your We’re helping Nebraskans place in God’s world make college possible

BY EDUCATIONQUEST FOUNDATION EducationQuest Foundation is a nonprofit organization with a mission to improve access to higher education in Nebraska.

Headquartered in Lincoln, EducationQuest provides free college planning services, need-based scholarship programs, grants that help high schools increase their college-going rate, and outreach services for community agencies statewide.

EducationQuest has offices in Kearney, Lincoln and Omaha, where college planning specialists help students research colleges, explore career options, find scholarship resources, complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid), and learn about student loans.

EducationQuest also provides college planning tools at EducationQuest.

org. These include ScholarshipQuest, an online database of more than 2,000 local and state scholarships; Activities Resume that helps students track their extracurricular activities; College Profiles with information about colleges in Nebraska and across the country; and tools to help with FAFSA completion.

EducationQuest also sponsors the KnowHow2GO program that provides 8th, 9th and 10th grade students with easy-to-understand steps they should follow to make college a reality.

To learn more about EducationQuest and KnowHow2GO, visit EducationQuest.org.

For free personal help with college planning, call the EducationQuest location nearest you: Kearney – 800303-3745, Lincoln – 800-303-3745, or Omaha – 888-357-6300.

“Music inspires me. It makes up the rhythm of my life in college, from early morning to very late at night,” says Dordt College senior Leanna Bentz, a music education major.

Dordt College is known for its stellar music programs and its welcoming residential campus. Coming from South Dakota, Leanna found a community of friends and learning environment second to none at Dordt College in Sioux Center, Iowa.

“I’ve discovered I grow far more in community and in collaboration with professors and students. I’ve learned so much here— both about others and about myself,” she says.

With an impressive 14 to one student to faculty ratio, Dordt’s professors get to know students by name and care about their individual success. Faith and learning come together in classes, co-curricular activities, and student life.

“I’ve been stretched to think deeply, to challenge myself, to grasp what’s at the core of learning and living, to find and fulfill my purpose,” Leanna adds. “Dordt provides a

supportive community, as well as the courage and the tools to face tough issues and to make good choices.”

Named to the best colleges lists of U.S. News & World Report, Princeton Review, Money Magazine, Washington Monthly, and Forbes.com, Dordt College has a friendly and vibrant community of approximately 1,450 students, most of whom live on campus.

A Dordt education is affordable, with 98% of students receiving financial aid. On average, students graduate with less debt than many private colleges and all of Iowa’s public universities. Leanna stresses that she knows that Dordt’s academic program is “rigorous enough to warrant the dollars we spend on it.”

An impressive 98 percent of graduates are employed within six months of graduation.

If you’re looking for a comprehensive Christian education that will encourage you to think, question, and prepare for your calling in God’s world, then check out Dordt College in Sioux Center, Iowa. Visit www. dordt.edu/admissions to learn more or schedule a visit to campus.

The first two letters in our name say a lot about the people and the purpose of Dordt College. We DO. We come here to be shaped and nurtured and challenged— infused with knowledge and wisdom in order to go out and work for God’s glory in all areas of his world. It’s our mission and mandate, and that’s how we do college at Dordt.

sioux center, iowa

HowWeDoCollege.com

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There’s no better time to be a Maverick The University of Nebraska at Omaha is a life-changing force. As Nebraska’s premier metropolitan university, UNO is where you can fulfill your personal aspirations and career goals.

Join a community that believes in academic excellence through a curriculum that is relevant to the real world.

UNO appreciates that learning is a lifelong process and not every route to college is traditional.

We offer several options and an education that will serve you for a lifetime. UNO’s six colleges are dedicated to providing rigorous undergraduate and graduate academic programs, taught by faculty who are national or international experts in their fields. Our beautiful residential campus combines the resources of a research university with a close-knit community.

Fro m M a m m e l H a l l — t h e n e w 120,000-square-foot home of the College of Business Administration—to the HPER building—one of the premier university recreation centers in the country. UNO has added 832,000 total square feet of facilities, as well as renovated more than half of its academic space in just over five years. Student housing was constructed, allowing more

students to live on campus and fully experience all that UNO has to offer. The University has even taken its history of athletics to the next level by joining the ranks of NCAA Division I sports.

Throughout its development, UNO has been firmly anchored to the community; building strong ties with business, education, government, arts and civic organizations. These relationships run deep. In fact, for seven consecutive years since the inception of a national award, UNO has remained on the President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll, the highest federal recognition a school can achieve for its civic engagement. UNO’s new 60,000-square-foot Barbara Weitz Community Engagement Center opened, allowing for further expansion of universitycommunity partnerships.

It is in part thanks to this rich, layered history that Mavericks today know they are a part of a university committed to diversity and inclusion. And the opportunity to create the next chapter continues as the University of Nebraska at Omaha addresses the changing needs of the metropolitan area, state, region and world. As Nebraska’s premier metropolitan university, UNO is committed

There's no better time to be a

VISIT CAMPUS | APPLY | BEaMAV.com

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The University of Nebraska at Omaha is committed to diversity and inclusion.

to the needs of our community through teaching, research and service. Our students graduate ready to contribute to the workforce and the community. We invite you to explore

our campus and community, where we’re hard at work enriching communities locally, nationally and globally through academic excellence.

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Out of the classroom: Wayne State students perform vital role in their community

o y I found a pl ce th t fe s lIke h m . #gr8D Y2BAWILdc T

Wayne State College Service-Learning projects continue each year to serve the community and add the important elements of practical experience and civic engagement to students’ education.

In fact, the college has a long, distinguished history of service to our region and Service-Learning plays an important role in our efforts. Much of the credit belongs to the students and faculty who provide such an important service to Northeast Nebraska.

Each semester since 2005, more than 400 Wayne State College students have participated in Service-Learning projects under the direction of WSC faculty members. The WSC Service-Learning program promotes, mobilizes, and supports the efforts of the college, united in strengthening academic and co-curricular programs through projects in our communities, state and nation.

Many faculty members include annual projects within their course offerings on campus, coordinating the projects in addition to their day-to-day role in educating college students.

Dr. Barbara Hayford, Sara Walsh and Dr. Kelly Dilliard of Wayne State College combined their efforts this fall to benefit Wayne Izaak Walton League Lake. Students in Wayne State’s Development of Science in Elementary and Middle School class (DSEMS) and the Aquatic Ecology seminar hosted a biological assessment of the Wayne Chapter Isaak Walton League Lake (IKES Lake) by Wayne Public School third-graders.

The event involved WSC Aquatic Ecology students setting up sampling stations. The DSEMS students hosted activities. All data generated by the event was collected by the Aquatic Ecology students and will be converted for use by the third-graders so they can work through brief problems and make decisions about the condition of IKES Lake.

“Our efforts will generate valuable data for the Isaak Walton League to use in examining the cause and effects of possible eutrophication on fish mortality in their Lake,” said Dr. Barbara Hayford, associate professor of life science.

The IKES Lake has experienced fish kills during the summers of 2006-2008 and no fish were found in the Lake by July 2008.

Eutrophication is a natural aging process in which lakes gradually fill with sediment becoming more productive through increased plant and algal growth. Eventually lakes become wetlands through this process. Human caused or anthropogenic eutrophication is the process by which lakes quickly fill with sediments released from soils through tilling, new construction, and grazing.

In addition, different types of nitrogen and phosphorus based fertilizers applied to row crops, lawns, and gardens may be carried into lakes leading to an increase in algae and plants. These plants produce a lot of oxygen, which supports more and more animals.

Eventually the demand for oxygen in the lake by animals and plants alike is greater than the amount of oxygen produced by the plants. At this point oxygen can decrease to dangerously low levels, killing fish.

Biological assessment may be used to examine the diversity of ecosystems,” Hayford said.

“We will examine the diversity of aquatic and terrestrial life in and near IKES Lake. We will also examine current sediment levels and pH in the lake and will conduct environmental education activities. Environmental education is an important part of conservation and educating third-grade participants will serve larger conservation efforts of the Izaak Walton League and the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission Natural Legacy and Wildlife Action Plans,” she said.

Making the most of a college visit SCHEDULE YOUR CAMPUS VISIT AT

WSC.EDU

BY EDUCATIONQUEST FOUNDATION College visits help you discover a school’s culture, campus and the surrounding community while learning about the admission and financial aid process.

Visit colleges during your junior year and in the fall of your senior year. Begin by visiting the college website. Most have a section for prospective students, and many allow you to register for a visit online. You can also read

the student newspaper and get information on student services and employment. Look for departmental web pages for information about areas of study that interest you.

Schedule your campus visit at least two weeks in advance. Visit when school is in session to get the true flavor of the campus.

At most colleges, you can join a group campus visit with many other students or set up an individual visit.

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Attend Spring Campus Visit Days at St. Luke’s College St. Luke’s College-UnityPoint Health has scheduled Campus Visit Days for the Spring of 2015. Interested students can register online at www.stlukescollege.edu to make a reservation for one of the following dates and times: Feb. 12, 17 or 19. Campus visits will begin at 3 p.m. in the College Building located at 2800 Pierce St. in Sioux City. The agenda for the Visit Days will be as follows: • Welcome • Bachelor, Associate and Certificate Program Information • Tours • Information on Admissions & Financial Aid • Registered visitors will receive a free College T-shirt Campus Visit Days provide an excellent opportunity for prospective students and their families to learn more about St. Luke’s College. The college has bachelor’s degree completion programs in nursing and health sciences; associate degree programs in nursing, radiology and respiratory care; and certificates in Medical Laboratory Science and

Phlebotomy. The college also provides specialty certification internships in Computerized Tomography (CT), Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Ultrasound and Mammography.

An education at St. Luke’s College combines classroom learning with hospitalbased clinical experiences. Students use advanced techniques and leading technology at St. Luke’s-UnityPoint Health, as well as rural community hospitals, clinics, schools and home health agencies. The college’s small class sizes promote close, personal relationships with other students pursuing the same or similar career goals. In a healthcare industry that is expected to grow, St. Luke’s graduates experience higher than average placement rates and are able to gain employment in a variety of healthcare settings.

Contact the Admissions Office at St. Luke’s College for more information on educational opportunities or to reserve your seat at one of the Spring Campus Visit Days: (712) 279-3149 or visit our website: www. stlukescollege.edu.

3303 Rebecca Street | Sioux City, Iowa 51104 | 800-662-3303 | www.briarcliff.edu

Invest in the Future. Choose a Briar Cliff Education.

At Briar Cliff it’s all about the students.

Education is more than academics, a Briar Cliff education focuses on the whole student – mind, body and spirit. Plus, with small class sizes and individualized attention, each student is prepared for success.

BEGIN THE COLLEGE JOURNEY At Briar Cliff students experience a liberal arts education that prepares them for real life.

A mix of classes ranging from science and math to history and communication give students a foundation of skills necessary for the real world, while also helping them discover the right degree path. Plus, over 30 areas of study are offered so students can pursue their unique passion.

Academics may be the cornerstone of any collegiate program, but plenty of learning takes place outside the classroom: in the residence halls, through campus activities and organizations, intramurals, religious life, athletic teams, campus jobs and community service.

At Briar Cliff, students have the opportunity to experience it all.

Spring College Visit Days February 12 February 17 February 19 3:00-5:00 p.m.

2800 Pierce Street, Sioux City, Iowa Call to register or register online

We believe in you. So, we invest in you!

FINISH A BACHELOR’S DEGREE It’s never too late to finish a degree. For students that already started a degree program, but didn’t finish – choose Briar Cliff University for education that clicks. With offerings provided in both a face-to-face format or online, students have the flexibility to finish their degree program in a fashion that fits their lifestyle, career goals and budget. Continuing education online degree programs include accounting, business administration, human resource management, nursing (RN-BSN), operations management, professional studies and social work.

GRADUATE DEGREES Ready for an upgrade? Choosing to upgrade one’s degree can lead to great opportunities in the future – career advancement, personal growth and increased income.

There has never been a better time to start.

Choose from one of Briar Cliff University’s master’s or doctoral degrees, which include a Master of Arts in Management, Master of Science in Behavioral Analysis, Master of Science in Nursing and Doctor of Nursing Practice.

An average Briar Cliff student’s award covers over 85% of tuition and fees.

Call Briar Cliff today to see what your financial package could look like. You’ll see that at Briar Cliff, we invest time and money into our students. At Briar Cliff, we believe in you and your future!

Sioux City, IA • (800) 662-3303 • briarcliff.edu

the catholic franciscan learning place

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Join the Hawkeye family at U of Iowa You’ll discover a way of life at the University of Iowa—making connections and building trust, embracing change and leading innovation, seizing opportunities and pulling together for the greater good.

Iowa will prepare you, challenge you, and change you. In turn, you’ll change the world.

Read on to learn why so many students think Iowa is right for them.

TOP PROGRAMS. Ranked 27th among all public universities by U.S. News & World Report, the University of Iowa is home to leading programs in the sciences and humanities, one of the nation’s leading academic medical centers, and the esteemed Iowa Writers’ Workshop. Online and distance-learning opportunities are available in the Sioux City area.

MAJORS, MINORS, AND MORE. With more than 200 areas of study at Iowa—including majors, minors, certificates, and tracks—you can tailor your program to your interests and get an education that will help you stand out. Iowa is the perfect place for students

interested in the health sciences, business, engineering, education, and much more.

COMMITMENT TO SUCCESS. As soon as you set foot on campus, you’ll see that Iowa takes undergraduate education seriously. Events like Orientation and On Iowa! get you started, building skills, teaching traditions, and introducing friends. Living-learning communities make a big university feel smaller, while first-year seminars help you discover college academics in intimate, engaging, test-free courses.

BEST VALUE. Iowa is a Fiske Guide to the Colleges 2015 “Best Buy”—one of only three in the Big Ten—and our Four-Year Graduation Plan can help you start your career sooner while keeping costs down.

PERFECT SIZE. As one of the smallest Big Ten public universities (about 22,000 undergraduates and 31,000 students total), Iowa offers the opportunities of a major university in an environment that feels more like a small college.

About 80 percent of classes have fewer

than 30 students, and 92 percent have fewer than 50 students. Overall, our student-tofaculty ratio is 16:1.

OPPORTUNITIES. Iowa undergraduates conduct groundbreaking research with faculty mentors, engage in creative work, study abroad in more than 80 countries each year, and find competitive internships nationwide.

These opportunities contribute to your education and provide the kind of real-world experience employers look for.

CAREER SUPPORT. Iowa students get career guidance beginning their first year. Whether you want to be an entrepreneur or an entertainer—or you’re exploring all your options—advisors can help you research careers, assess your skills, and practice interviewing. Once you start your job search, you can meet some of the 400-plus employers who conduct more than 4,200 interviews on campus every year.

OUTCOMES. Job placement and graduate school acceptance rates within a year

of graduation average 90 percent. Recent Iowa grads are working for top companies like CNN, IBM, Google, Disney, ESPN, Rockwell Collins, US Bank, and more.

VIBRANT STUDENT LIFE. Iowa offers the excitement and school spirit of a Big Ten university, plus countless opportunities to get involved. You can choose from nearly 500 student groups, cheer on the Hawkeyes at one of more than 140 home games each year, join dozens of intramural or club sports, or enjoy a thriving arts scene.

CAMPUS AND COMMUNITY. Iowa’s 1,700-acre campus feels a lot smaller, with most academic buildings and residence halls clustered within easy walking distance. Casual yet cosmopolitan, Iowa City is known for recreational opportunities, shopping, restaurants and entertainment—a classic college town.

Visiting campus is the best way to find out if Iowa is right for you. Call 319-335-1569 or visit admissions.uiowa.edu to plan your visit.

With a

90% post-graduation placement rate, we help young alumni

start out strong and

give our state the professionals we need.

#TheUforIOWA

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How to apply for financial aid Kristin O’Connell: Iowa Lakes CC

BY EDUCATIONQUEST FOUNDATION The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the application for federal, state, and college-specific financial aid. Typically, you apply after Jan. 1 of your senior year and every year you’re in college.

Follow these steps to apply: 1. Ask your prospective colleges for their FAFSA priority date Since some financial aid is awarded first-come first-served, plan to complete the FAFSA before the priority date.

2. Request a PIN Request a Personal Identification Number (PIN) for you and one for a parent at pin.ed.gov. The PIN is your signature for the electronic FAFSA and is used to track your financial aid application.

3. Complete your income taxes early The FAFSA requires current tax information.

4. Complete the FAFSA Complete the FAFSA at fafsa.gov. The results will be sent to the colleges you list on your FAFSA. For free help with the FAFSA, see FAFSA Tools at EducationQuest.org or make an appointment with EducationQuest location nearest you: Kearney – 800.666.3721, Lincoln – 800.303.3745, or Omaha – 888.357.6300.

5. Expect your SAR and award notifications After submitting your FAFSA, expect a Student Aid Report (SAR) that acknowledges your form was processed. Your

SAR can also be used to make corrections to your FAFSA. The colleges will then send you a financial aid award notification detailing the assistance they’re offering. You might receive a combination of scholarships, grants, work-study, and student loans.

6. Compare and accept award notifications Compare financial aid awards from the colleges where you applied. Calculate your out-of-pocket expenses for each school to get the entire financial picture.

Accept and return each award notification so you can keep your options open until you make your final college selection.

7. Apply for student and parent loans, if needed After you select a college, inform the other schools of your decision. Work with your college to apply for student loans, if you need them. The college will provide the required documents.

HOW COLLEGE AWARD FINANCIAL AID All colleges use this formula to calculate financial aid eligibility.

Financial Aid Formula Annual cost of education - Expected family contribution (FAFSA results) Financial need The college will come as close as possible to meeting your financial need through scholarships, grants, workstudy and student loans.

is the right choice for my future

BY KRISTIN O’CONNELL, AG BUSINESS MAJOR Iowa Lakes Community College

As a young person, my parents emphasized education and a strong work ethic. Even though doing homework wasn’t my favorite, it was expected. This taught me the value of working toward a goal and accomplishing it with pride.

In my teen years, I worked at a local drivein. The job gave me spending money and taught me responsibility, but more importantly, made me realize it was not what I wanted to spend my life doing.

I knew a college degree would open new doors and opportunities for me, so I enrolled in the Ag Business program at Iowa Lakes Community College.

I wondered if Iowa Lakes was the best place for me, but after the first week, I knew I’d made the right choice. The professors at Iowa Lakes take an interest in my development and the on-the-job training strengthened my decision that I was in the right program.

I am focused and in a program that I love, and still having fun with the many activities offered at Iowa Lakes. With support from my

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Kristin O’Connell checks on livestock on the 360-acre farm lab at Iowa Lakes Community College.

family, friends, instructors and the scholarships I have received, I know I will make the most of my education and my future.

YOUR FUTURE STARTS @ IOWA LAKES

What to consider when choosing a college

BY EDUCATIONQUEST FOUNDATION Start narrowing your college choices during your junior year. This will give you more time to research which school best fits your criteria, and to meet admission and financial aid deadlines Answer the following questions to get started, and read about common mistakes to avoid.

What do you want to study? If you know what you want to study, research schools that offer degree programs in that area. If you don’t know what to study, it’s okay – many students begin college undeclared and some pursue academic transfer programs at community colleges.

What kind of school do you want to attend? Do you prefer a large university or a small college? Are you interested in a community college? What kind of student/ teacher ratio do you want?

What can you afford? Consider the overall cost of college: tuition, room and board, books, transportation costs, and personal expenses. Determine what you and your parents can afford to pay out-ofpocket and plan to apply for financial aid to make up the difference. Calculate the loan debt your family may need to incur for your college education.

Where do you want to go to college?

Do you want to live close to home and commute? Do you want to be in a large city or a small town? How big of a factor is out-ofstate or private school tuition? If you want to go out of state, investigate reciprocity programs such as the Midwest Student Exchange Program.

Avoid these college search mistakes: Don’t limit your search to familiar institutions, and don’t limit your search to colleges you think you can afford.

Data shows college students can save more than $5,000 per year (in tuition/fees, room and board, and books) by attending Iowa Lakes Community College, and with 100+ AREAS OF STUDY TO CHOOSE FROM and MORE THAN $950,000 IN SCHOLARSHIPS available to help pay for your education, IOWA LAKES IS THE SMART CHOICE.

1-866-IA-LAKES • WWW.IOWALAKES.EDU For more information about our graduation rates, the median debt of students who completed the program, and other important information, please visit our website at www.iowalakes.edu.

A LG O N A • E M M E TS B U RG • E S T H E RV I L L E • S P E N C E R • S P I R I T L A K E

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FAFSA season is here.

Start planning now.

Send your FAFSA paperwork to MCC. Apply using school code 004432.

Why MCC? • 300+ degrees and certificates • Transfer agreements with 35+ local colleges • Courses on site, online or a combination • Small classes with personalized attention

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Studies show the value of a community college education A common myth associated with community colleges is that they are a last resort for an individual trying to obtain post-secondary education.

In truth, community colleges allow individuals to reach educational goals — from recent high school graduates looking to earn a bachelor’s degree to driven professionals wanting to maximize their earning potential by furthering their education and investing in themselves.

Community colleges across the country are also helping meet the needs of today’s workforce by investing heavily in trades programs such as welding, precision machining, robotics, truck driving, plumbing and other high-demand areas. The investments that community colleges are making in the manufacturing industry are at the forefront of the battle to keep manufacturing jobs on American soil.

In a study released by the American Association of Community Colleges, Economic Modeling Specialists International measured the economic impact of America’s community colleges. The study found that the impact of community colleges on the U.S.

Metropolitan Community College can help students develop the skills they need to be successful in both their educational and professional careers. economy was $809 billion in 2012, which was equal to 5.4 percent of the gross domestic product that year. The study also concluded that community colleges contributed to the equivalent of 15.5 million jobs in 2012.

With a wide array of programs available, Metropolitan Community College can help students develop the skills they need to be successful in both their educational and professional careers. With small class sizes, students can get to know their instructors and classmates and feel part of a community.

Another benefit is that the high-quality education comes at an affordable cost. MCC offers more than 300 degrees and certificates in career, technical and transfer programs.

For more information about MCC, visit mccneb.edu or call 402-457-2400 to speak with an academic advisor.

Northwestern College named a best value At Northwestern College, strong academics and a firm Christian faith mean big opportunities to learn and grow. You’ll benefit from close relationships. Supportive faculty mentors—committed Christians who have studied at top graduate schools and are leaders in their fields. A campus community that feels like home. And life-changing ound the w ld. experiences around world.

that Learn about the 3 steps g? rin er sf an tr in ed st re Inte ransfer -t th o o m /s u d .e a w o ci w n make it easy: nwciowa.edu 800-747-4757 admissions@nwciowa.edu

Northwestern College, Orange City, Iowa, has been named among the nation’s 50 Best Value Christian Colleges and Universities.

ChristianUniversitiesOnline.org, an independent resource for students and families, publishes the 50 Best Value Christian Colleges and Universities list to focus on institutions’ net tuition cost and the juxtaposition of quality with affordability. It uses data from the U.S. Department of Education’s National Center for Education Statistics and follows the methodology employed by U.S. News and World Report.

The site’s description of Northwestern highlights the college’s low student-to-faculty ratio and high retention and graduation rates. No other colleges from Iowa, Nebraska or South Dakota are included in the rankings.

“This honor affirms that Northwestern College offers our students a tremendous value,” says Kenton Pauls, dean of enrollment management. “This is another thirdparty validation, along with our ranking as one of the 50 Great Affordable Colleges in the Midwest by GreatValueColleges.net earlier this year. These recognitions underscore the benefits students receive from a Northwestern education: the building of their minds and Christian faith in a tight-knit community as well as outstanding job placement

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Northwestern College’s attractive 100-acre campus features the $14 million DeWitt Learning Commons, which houses the library, the Peer Learning Center and many areas for collaborative study.

after graduation. That we are so affordable after financial aid is often a surprise to new students.”

Northwestern is also ranked on the list of 50 Christian Colleges Exceeding Expectations developed by Christian Universities Online. That rating is based on colleges’ predicted and actual graduation rates.

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New and remodeled Morningside College facilities enhance student experience With the start of the spring semester at Morningside College, students are taking advantage of the $13 million “academic village” that was completed this fall, and a $12 million renovation of Dimmitt Hall will take place this summer.

The academic village includes a new classroom building, a new advising center and a remodel of the Hickman-Johnson-Furrow Learning Center.

The classroom building, Buhler Rohlfs Hall, houses Morningside’s education, nursing, and applied agricultural and food studies programs.

“Buhler Rohlfs Hall is equipped with state-of-the-art technology,” said LuAnn Haase, associate professor and chair of the Sharon Walker School of Education. “For example, our students have the ability to sit in a Morningside classroom and watch in real time on video screens as top-notch teaching professionals deliver lessons in actual elementary and secondary schoolrooms.”

The nursing area in the new building looks

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Morningside College nursing students Leslie Pfeifer (left) and Carly Borr practice their skills on a high-fidelity patient simulator in Buhler Rohfs Hall. From behind a two-way mirror, nursing professors can control the computer-simulated patient to direct life-like nursing situations.

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Cathy Wilt, associate professor of education at Morningside College, works with students in Buhler Rohlfs Hall. The education classrooms in the new building are equipped with the technology being used in today’s schools, and the tables and chairs can easily be moved into the classroom arrangement that best fits the lesson.

like a hospital floor, said Mary Kovarna, professor and chair of the Nylen School of Nursing.

“Faculty are able to create life-like nursing and patient care situations for students in rooms that mimic a hospital setting,” Kovarna said. “Computer simulations and robotic patients give students practice making diagnoses and care decisions in a safe, controlled environment. Then students can watch and evaluate their performance with the instructor by playing back a video of the exercise.”

The new Regina Roth Applied Agricultural and Food Studies Program prepares students for career opportunities with a wide range of companies, said Anthony Kern, a biology professor and academic chair of the applied agricultural and food studies program.

“We have a curriculum that gives students broad exposure to scientific, cultural

and business principles related to agriculture and food production,” Kern said.

The Krone Advising Center is located next to Buhler Rohlfs Hall and connects to it with an enclosed second-floor walkway.

“The advising center is a resource for all students, but it primarily serves first-year students and those undecided on a major,” said Lillian Lopez, vice president for advising at Morningside. “Our full-time advising staff builds relationships with students, helps them identify their goals and teaches them how to make the most of the advising experience before they transfer to a faculty adviser in their major.”

The learning center was remodeled to create a new main entrance facing the Hilker Campus Mall, and the second floor was converted into a study lounge.

The upcoming renovation of Dimmitt Hall

will include upgrades to the building’s electric, plumbing and heating systems and the addition of air conditioning to all student rooms. Renovation plans also include improvements to the residence hall’s appearance and the surrounding grounds. Dimmitt is the largest residence hall at Morningside and is home for nearly 400 students during the academic year.

The projects are financed by the most ambitious fundraising effort in Morningside’s history, which also allowed Morningside to renovate Eppley Auditorium in 2013.

“The money we are raising is earmarked for our annual scholarship fund, the college’s endowment and facilities improvements,” said Morningside President John Reynders.

“This is allowing us to continue our transformation of the college and the educational experiences for our students.”

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