Connect to College - Fall 2010 by Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier

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COLLEGE GUIDE

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SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2010

COLLEGE GUIDE FALL 2010

Your future is now. By MELODY PARKER melody.parker@wcfcourier.com

Choosing a college is a challenge, but a good education can set you on the path to a successful, fulﬁlling career. And you’ll earn more money. Someone with a bachelor’s degree will earn 60 percent more than a person with a high school diploma. What’s that mean? The gap between a college graduate with a bachelor’s degree and a high school graduate in earning potentials is more than $800,000, according to a 2007 College Board study. So, yeah, higher education is worth it. Whether you wanted to be an astronaut or a ballerina when you grew up, education can make it happen— or at least give you a much better shot at realizing your career goals. In the past 20 years, higher-education options have exploded. Satellite locations, remote classrooms, web-ucation and online options are the norm in today’shigherlearning landscape.

Illustration by DAVID HEMENWAY / Courier Graphic Artist

business. Some colleges are “open High performance in the admissions,” accepting stuclassroom generally transdents on a first-come, firstlates into a higher percentage serve basis. Other colleges of grants and merit scholarare very selective and admit ships and a lower percentage only a small number of of loans. applicants each year. Most Take SAT and ACT review colleges are in between. courses: Raising standardized Let your fingers do the test scores can save families walking — use your comthousands of dollars by increasing the size of financial puter to surf the Web. aid packages. If no courses Take virtual tours and are offered in your area, at view videos about campus least purchase one of the test life at potential colleges and preparation books to bone up universities. Cruise the U.S. before the exams. News & World Report Web Take advanced placement site, www.usnews.com, classes. and check out their Student And if college isn’t the Center and College Click right choice for you, there TV links. are technical and professional schools that can train What a college wants you for specific careers. The College Board says Nontraditional students the high school record gets — adults returning to college the most emphasis: after an absence, attending zCourses taken zCounfor the first time or work- selor/teacher recoming fulltime while carrying mendations zEthnicity college courses — also are at zGrades zApplication home on college campuses questions and essays or in Internet classrooms. zGeographic location zGrade point average Who gets in zPersonal interview The number of college zAlumni relationship applicants is rising, accord- zRank in class zActiviing to college experts, and ties outside the classroom getting into the college of zMajor/college applied to your choice is zAdmission test results more compet- zSpecial talents and skills itive than ever. zExtracurricular activities Students and parents While extracurricular are encouraged to consider activities can look good a range of options, includ- on a application, schools ing community colleges, mainly look at them to see small public or private col- if a student has shown a leges, schools with specific long-term commitment to study disciplines such as one or two activities.

Getting the edge

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2010

Don’t freak out over tests Entrance exams affect admission and financial aid. Most colleges will require some type of entrance exam, which may be a factor used in the admission and/or financial aid process. Determine which test to take. Most colleges accept SAT and ACT assessments. Community colleges and technical schools may require a different standardized test, such as the ASSET test. Check with each college you are considering to determine which test is preferred. The ACT, the other college entrance test, based in Iowa City and popular in the Midwest, is accepted by nearly all the same colleges and has one advantage for nervous test-takers. If you don’t like your score on an ACT test, you don’t have to show it to colleges. The SAT rule is that if you send any score to a college, you have to send them all. Most colleges promise to count only your best scores, but that rule makes some students uncomfortable. You may also want to consider taking the Preliminary ACT and the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test as practice for the actual assessment. Practice tests will give you a chance to see where your academic weak spots are so you can focus on those areas. If you are unhappy with your score or feel you can do better, you may retake the test. Try to take the test for the first time by the spring of your junior year so you will have time to retake it if necessary. Check with your high school counselor or admissions counselor before you retake the test.

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COLLEGE GUIDE

to grad school? Do employers do oncampus job recruiting? ■ How long, on average, does it take ■ What housing options are available? students to graduate? Is it difﬁcult to ■ Are there student employment opget the classes required for graduation? portunities either on or off campus? ■ What is the student/faculty ratio? ■ Do I need a car? Does the faculty include teaching ■ Is there parking available, and if assistants or do professors teach the so, is there a charge to park? majority of classes? ■ Is there Internet and Wi-Fi service ■ What is the placement rate? Do on campus? Does the college promost students who graduate obtain a vide computers? job in their ﬁeld? Do they get admitted ■ What types of meal plans are

Ask-worthy questions

want to see you follow your dreams and your passions, not show off how many clubs you joined. Pick two things you really like, and give them the time they deserve.

involved with drugs or alcohol. Colleges will steer clear of someone who could cause negative publicity.

Campus visits

Enjoy the scenery, listen to the guide and have lunch at the A little humor, particularly student union. After you know if it is self-deprecating, often which schools have accepted works. Don’t overdo it, and keep you, you can make a more careful appraisal. it light.

Have fun with your essay

Nothing is perfect

College visits made simple

Look for a place that ﬁts you, and remember that many colleges can meet your needs. There is no perfect college for any given ﬁeld or student. Look for options. Remember: It is your character, not the name of your college, that is likely to bring success.

Preparing for college visits are a major time commitment and expense. Don’t waste either resource. You don’t need to visit every college on your list to develop a clear sense of what ﬁts. Make the most out of it. ■ Pick a reasonable number. See contrasting types, some larger, smaller, urban, rural and so on, to develop perspective. ■ Before each visit, review a college’s viewbook and Web site. ■ Make a list of questions to ask of your tour guide. Don’t be afraid to talk to students on campus. ■ See schools farther from home ﬁrst if you will not be able to later in the year, or start close to home and see a select group of schools farther away during senior fall.

It’s a no-brainer

Getting into a selective school is a game of chance. It has little to do with your brains or talents. Selective college admissions officers admit that they reject or wait-list many students who are just as good as the ones they accept. If the school is short on engineering majors or Idaho residents or piccolo players, applicants with those characteristics will be accepted. The rest will have to go elsewhere. Don’t fret about picking the Do something normal wrong school. If you ﬁnd it High school students who feel doesn’t suit you, you can always every vacation must be aca- transfer. demically significant should try an ordinary job instead, and Be cool maybe even have fun. A sumDon’t risk a potential mer job might even help some college scholarship applications. by misbehaving in school or Don’t be a show-off getting You need only two good extracurricular activities. Colleges

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THE COURIER available? Is there a variety of food? If I have special dietary needs, can they be accommodated? What types of options are available besides the dining hall? ■ For parents facing next year’s college tuition, tomorrow is already here, and it will soon be upon those with kids in high school. These lastminute moves can ease tuition stress and potentially save thousands of dollars.

too much to qualify for needbased ﬁnancial aid, which is by far the most common source of all student aid. Need-based aid is most likely to be granted at a public university.

Apply to schools that really want your child Families who are unlikely to qualify for need-based aid can still lower their bills through merit aid based on academic accomplishment. While toptier elite private schools typically don’t hand out such aid, many well-known colleges a notch or two down on the prestige ladder do. Schools that grant merit scholarships often outline qualiﬁcations and other details on their Web sites, and U.S. News & World Report (usnews.com) has a list of schools with the highest percentage of students receiving non-need based aid.

■ Develop a timetable to be prompt for tours or appointments. Study road maps, plane schedules; get directions from the college (these are often in the back of viewbooks, or on the Web site). ■ Talk to faculty, coaches and students involved in the activities that interest you. Many students visit campuses during the summer, because this is when they can get an interview and get away from school, sports or other responsibilities. If you visit in the summer and are very interested in the col- Look close to home lege, return during the fall to see Most families know it costs the campus when students are less to attend a state school than there. a private one, but a comparison of the costs really drives the Consider the real costs message home. If your child is concerned Grant aid from federal and state governments, institutional about bumping into old high funds and private sources lowers school faces at State U but high the net price for a majority of private school price tags are college students, while beneﬁts out of the question, investigate from federal education tax cred- regional programs that offer its and deductions can reduce attractive tuition discounts to the costs students and their students from nearby states. families incur. But many families may ﬁnd See TIPS, page 6 that they earn

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COLLEGE GUIDE

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SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2010

Curricula opens students up to new job market of career services at UNI. Wartburg also has seen growth in engineering sciences, as well as forensic science, social work and criminal justice programs. No matter how the job environment changes in the future, students still should choose a major or program based on what

By AMIE STEFFEN amie.steffen@wcfcourier.com

oday’s college graduates are coming into a newer job market than there was ﬁve or 10 years ago — a scarier one in terms of the recession, maybe, but also more diverse in terms of the employment opportunities. In fact, because colleges are adapting their programs to change with the economy, today’s incoming freshman class are able to choose from more programs than ever before. “To be real honest, it changes so dramatically,” said Derek Solheim, Pathways Center associate director for career services at Wartburg College in Waverly. “It’s almost like you’re reinventing yourself.” College students aren’t the only ones given a chance to reinvent themselves, however. Institutions of higher learning like Wartburg, the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls and Hawkeye Community College in Waterloo are following suit, developing new curricula for brand-new programs, focuses and even majors where jobs are — or will soon be — in high demand. That’s important, said administrators, because some old, stand-by jobs aren’t there anymore. “One of the things we’re seeing is these returning students who lost jobs,” said Kathy Flynn, vice president of advancement at Hawkeye. “It’s not unusual to go on campus and ﬁnd a much

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older prospective student, cal and occupational therapy looking for a career path so they assistant programs, alternative energy technology and sustaincan get a living wage.” Community colleges like able construction. Four-year universities are Hawkeye have the ability to adapting to the institute programs as little as “It’s almost like changing environment, too. a semester long, you’re reinventing At UNI, there’s like their popuincreased lar truck drivyourself,” said an demand on bioing program, to other short-term Derek Solheim, technology, a new graduate degree programs Pathways Center program in proin welding, comscience puter numerical Associate director fessional and plenty of controls, industrial maintenance for career services new undergraduate programs in and medical lab at Wartburg. the College of technicians. Natural Sciences. “We need to put together programs for six A lot of it is as a result of a new months or one year, then (stu- initiative with the Iowa Mathdents can) be out there in the ematics and Science Education job market,” said Paul Osborn, Partnership. “Although (demand for) dean of applied science and teaching unfortunately has gone technology at Hawkeye. Their newest programs, either down, there’s still demand for in development or coming on math and secondary science,” line next fall, include physi- said Robert Frederick, director

they love to do — and get a good education, said Solheim. “What we tell students is the value of a broad-based, liberal education,” he said. “What we’re hearing is, (employers) need those skills more than (they) need a speciﬁc subset of majors.”

Looking for Direction? Look to Allen College. Associate of Science in Radiography (ASR) X Two-year program X Graduates recruited nationally Bachelor of Health Science (BHS) X Medical Laboratory Science program X Nuclear Medicine Technology program X Diagnostic Medical Sonography program Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) X Upper Division BSN program X 15-month Accelerated BSN option X RN-BSN track available Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) X RN-MSN track available X Nurse Practitioner tracks in ﬁve areas X Nursing Education X Nursing Leadership

Top 5 occupations with the most job openings Bachelor’s degree

Associate degree

Occupation Job Openings 2008–2018 Elementary school teachers, except special education 597,000 Accountants and auditors 498,000 Secondary school teachers, except special and vocational education 412,000 Middle school teachers, except special and vocational education 251,000 Computer systems analysts 223,000

Occupation Job Openings 2008–2018 Registered nurses 1,039,000 Nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants 422,000 Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses 391,000 Computer support specialists 235,000 Hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists 220,000 Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

For more information call 319.226.2000 or go online at allencollege.edu. Allen College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, marital status, sex, age, national origin, qualiﬁed handicap, sexual orientation or gender identity.

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2010

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Emphasis on college orientation higher than ever McClatchy Newspapers

CHICAGO — A generation ago, college orientation was a perfunctory affair, lasting little more than a day. The focus was on registering for classes and buying textbooks. If parents were needed at all, it was primarily for their wallets. Now, universities are putting more emphasis on this annual ritual than ever before, hoping that time and energy expended during the summer will boost student success and avert problems during the school year. At the University of Massachusetts Amherst, for example, orientation lasts 2 1/2 days and includes a separate program for parents, increased from one day to two in 2006. DePaul University also has beefed up its sessions, with an overnight stay to help establish a sense of community right from the start. Two years ago, the University of Minnesota tacked on a “Welcome Week” for freshmen on top of the traditional midsummer confab. The expansion is needed, say administrators, to address a range of topics that didn’t exist or weren’t discussed much a

decade ago: illegal downloads, sexting, plagiarism, credit card abuse — along with more concern about alcoholism, eating disorders and other mental health issues. Rolling out the welcome mat also builds a relationship with Mom and Dad. “We recognize that the issues of transition are much greater than just academics,” said Jennifer Weed, DePaul’s associate director for new student programs. But all the front-end investment has a bottom-line payoff as well. Some schools lose as much as 40 percent of incoming freshmen, said the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers. It’s more cost-effective to spend resources on retaining current students than on recruiting new ones. “If you hurry through this, what happens when students have their ﬁrst crisis? They quit ... they transfer,” said Dan Saracino, the University of Notre Dame’s recently retired admissions director. “To spend an extra day to improve the likelihood of staying is just good business.”

See ORIENTATION, page 6

7=E/

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“Best Buy” in Education —Fiske Guide to Colleges 2011

Visit The University of Iowa and discover what thousands of Hawkeyes (and the Fiske Guide) already know—our high-energy campus, first-class academics, and affordable tuition make us one of the best values in the country. And with 100+ areas of study to choose from, you’re sure to find a program that fits your interests.

800-553-4692 www.uiowa.edu/admissions

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FAFSA Don’t forget this all-important application for free college aid

ollege financial aid encompasses four forms of assistance: scholarships, grants, workstudy and loans. Students become eligible for aid from federal and state agencies and from colleges by filing the U.S. Department of Education’s Free Application for Federal Student Aid. The form is available at no cost at www. fafsa.ed.gov or by calling (800) 433-3243. Students may file the form without professional assistance. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid is the federal application for financial aid. For deadlines set for filling out and submitting forms, as well as correcting forms, check at www.fafsa.ed.gov. Deadlines for your state or schools may be different from the federal deadlines and you may be required to complete additional forms. Ask your school about their definition of an application deadline, whether it is the receipt date and time or the process date and time of the application. FAFSA needs to be filled out (by you and your parents) every year you want to be considered for financial aid. The information on this form is used to decide how much financial aid you qualify for from the federal government, the state and colleges. Check with your high school guidance counselor or a financial aid administrator at your school about state and school sources of student aid. Note: State forms do not replace filling out the FAFSA. You must fill out the FAFSA to receive federal student aid.

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ORIENTATION From page 5 Ever since the shootings at Virginia Tech and Northern Illinois Universities, personal safety has zoomed to the top of the list of parental concerns. Some 63 percent of all schools now have psychiatrists on staff at least part time. While young adults arriv on campus more well-traveled, they are less worldly, officials said. Since fewer share rooms anymore, more time is spent on conﬂict resolution. Ditto alcohol and responsible decision-making. Also in a nod to the times,

TIPS From page 3 Ask who can pitch in Projected costs also come down if kids pitch in with earnings from employment or loans. Getting children to foot some of the bill is a good idea even if money is not an issue, says Carpenter. At the other end of the age spectrum, grandparents are sometimes willing to step in.

COLLEGE GUIDE

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many institutions have fortified sessions on financial fitness (”You’d be surprised how many kids will sign up for a credit card just to get a free T-shirt,” one dean said) and file sharing — a practice that many students consider normal, but that the music business views as theft. And the captive audience is a perfect opportunity for schools to build partnerships with parents, whether over life skills or curriculum (at Reed College in Portland, Ore., elders can read “The Odyssey” and then sample a freshman humanities course). Given that baby boomers have been involved with their children’s education since preschool, why pull back now?

Unlike earlier generations — who had more of a sink-orswim approach — today’s parents are in frequent contact with their sons and daughters, according to the ﬁndings of a 2006 survey by College Parents of America. About 74 percent of 900 respondents talk “at least two to three times a week, while 34 percent communicate daily.” Such engagement is why, in addition to bigger orientations, many institutions are providing links on their Web sites for Mom and Dad — who may be out $40,000 if their child ﬂunks out. “Today, schools are marketing as much to parents as to students — especially in a

According to the AARP, 52 percent of grandparents contribute something to their grandchildren’s educational expenses. If a school uses preferred lenders, ask the ﬁnancial aid office why those lenders are being used and if the school receives any beneﬁt from using them. Don’t sacrifice your retirement. Parents in their 40s with children going to college and decades of working years still ahead of

them are probably better able to shoulder more expenses and borrow more than parents in their 50s or 60s who are nearing retirement and have limited time to recover from college costs. Kids can borrow for school, but parents shouldn’t borrow for retirement.

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2010 shaky economy,” said Katherine Cohen, CEO and founder of IvyWise, a college consulting company. “They know that it’s parents who are giving their hard-earned dollars ... and want to know what they are getting for their money.” But others insist it’s less about consumerism than being proactive, said Barmak Nassirian, a spokesman for the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers. “Schools aren’t keeping everyone longer for the hell of it,” he said. “It’s because there’s so much more ground to cover ... and you have to make a goodfaith effort to give it to them before you hand over the key.”

Discuss options for paying for college: you’ll pay, you’ll pay a portion and they’ll pay the rest; they’ll get a job and save their portion; what can be expected from ﬁnancial aid sources, etc. What are your expectations of the student, anything from grade point expectations to graduate school? Paying for college Get over the guilt if you can’t Parents: Be frank about what afford the full ride. Teenagers you can afford to pay toward your may value more what they have to pay for. teenager’s college education.

DISCOVER A GREAT COLLEGE EXPERIENCE z Lowest tuition in Iowa z State-of-the-art

learning facilities z Small class sizes with

caring faculty z Student-designed housing z Easy transfer agreements

to 4-Year universities

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COLLEGE GUIDE

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SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2010

Digital media transforms teaching, learning By TINA HINZ tina.hinz@wcfcourier.com

CEDAR FALLS — Textbooks are “so last century” as today’s digital world transforms the world of teaching and learning. Leigh Zeitz, an instructional technology professor at the University of Northern Iowa, hardly uses them. They are outdated and can be inaccurate, he said. Students in the multimedia generation, ages 10 to 29, are wired to acquire and assimilate information through multiple forms of media, Zeitz said. Therefore, changes need to be made across the board, from preparing new teachers to implementing fresh learning styles for kids in the classroom. “If we don’t use (social media) in teacher education, it’s not going to be used in K-12 because you teach the way you were taught,” he said. A couple of years ago, he developed the RWLD teaching model — Readings, Watchings, Listenings and Doings. Readings include articles, books and reliable websites. Watchings are ready-made videos, such as those on YouTube, or videos or screencasts he has made. Listenings will primarily be podcasts, which students can download to an MP3 player and listen to while walking to school or working out. Doings involve students completing surveys, online searches or projects. Zeitz recently surveyed a few groups of his students to ﬁnd out how many complete the RWLD before class. “Almost everybody raised their hand. That’s like reading the textbook before the lecture. Now, either they’re lying to me, and I don’t think they are, or they found a medium through which they can get more out of,” he said. Social media is cheap and accessible and a valuable part of one’s personal learning network. Zeitz has more than 2,600 Twit-

ter followers and 400 friends on Facebook, which provides the capability to share unedited ideas, resources, passions and gripes that build readership and allow instant feedback. He also has more than 500 readers at drzreﬂects.blogspot. com and encourages his students to create their own blogs to stay on top of industry trends and information. They can follow others’ entries through an RSS feed. Zeitz accompanies his presentations with a collaborative wiki, or website with an edit button, and challenges people to make changes or additions. “One of the problems people have is they say, ‘How can I keep up with all that?’” Zeitz said. “Well, you don’t. Basically, consider it a river of information, and you take a drink when you can.” Some online programs, like those at the University of Phoenix, allow students to earn a degree without any face time in the classroom. UNI’s program requires some on-campus time. During the summer course Emerging Instructional Technologies, Zeitz said students were so entranced that they were working almost 24-7. The class ended in June, but many of the students continue to blog. “They said, ‘Just lock the door on your way out, will you?’” Zeitz said. “They took such ownership in the things they were doing.”

Explosion Social media also is exploding at the elementary, middle and high school levels, said Bridgette Wagoner, director of educational services for the Waverly-Shell Rock school district. Language arts students have each created a Facebook page for a character from the play “Death of a Salesman” and had to interact, in character, through wall posts and other messages. Modern languages classes can Skype people who live in, say,

Mexico, for a ﬁrsthand experience of the culture there. “Technology makes it possible to not be limited to the four walls of our building,” she said. Some teachers use blogs to seamlessly communicate with parents and post assignments. They also discuss students’ digital citizenship, including Internet security, online etiquette, copyright and fair use. “Anything you put out there is there forever,” Wagoner said. “They’ve just lived in a world where the Internet has always existed. They don’t just naturally know some of these things.” In Van Meter, a school district of about 600 west of Des Moines, each student in sixth through 12th grades is issued a Mac laptop to be used throughout the school year, both at school and at home, as part of the 1:1 program that began in August 2009. According to Shannon Miller, a librarian and technology specialist at Van Meter, teachers use several Web 2.0 tools, the popular term for advanced Internet technology and applications including blogs, wikis, RSS and social bookmarking. Some make podcasts of their class. Most use Google Docs and Google Calendar, and Van Meter has a hashtag for Twitter posts to get the word out about goings-on. Miller created a Facebook page for her library and a Shelfari account for students to discuss and share books. Kids have Yo u T u b e channels. Last week, students used Skype, a video streaming tool, to hear from three creators of Web 2.0 tools.

“Anything I can think of to connect the kids, I do,” Miller said. “Even our littlest one in kindergarten knows how to use the social bookmarking folders.” Teachers attend trainings, after-school workshops or meet Miller on the weekends to learn more. Kids have become teachers, too. “The playing ﬁeld has leveled,” Miller said. “It’s everybody creating and collaborating, talking. The room is constantly moving. It’s a positive energy.” “I think Van Meter is very much a trailblazer in this,” she added. “But I think other schools are really catching on.”

Connecting The accelerating changes have caught wider attention. Bill Brannick, a principal from Monsignor Bonner High School in Philadelphia, met Van Meter officials via Twitter and he, along with his superintendent and tech director, visited Van Meter last spring. Students from both

schools now are connecting and working on projects together through social media. Miller and another teacher will travel with Van Meter’s principal and superintendent to Philadelphia in October to do training with teachers there. Because her classes are mostly online, Miller’s daughter wants to visit her grandparents in Arizona for a week in February. “If they have the tools they need, why couldn’t they do that?” Miller said. “I have kids that Skype in when they’re gone.” While Wagoner says it’s inevitable that entire classes will one day taught online, maintaining some face-to-face interaction has tremendous beneﬁts. “Not every district can afford to have a physics teacher with a physics certiﬁcation, but if you can hire one to teach students in classes all over the state or all over the nation, there’s a cost efficiency to be generated there,” she said. “I think we’re seeing the very beginnings of what’s going to happen.”

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Iowa Lakes Community College Big dreams on track at small-town college By JULIE HARRIS For the Courier

am a native of Battle Creek, Mich., (population 150,000) and had lived there for 30 years. Due to the economic downturn, I knew it was time to move. So, I ventured off to a little town in Iowa where the population is only about 4,000. One could only imagine the culture shock I had when arriving in Emmetsburg. The core of this little town seemed so familiar to me because of my upbringing and that made the transition easy to feel at home. While getting acclimated with my surroundings, I talked with people about Iowa Lakes Community College and the reviews were outstanding. I was working on my associate degree back home and knew I wanted to ﬁnish. It wasn’t too long ago that I discovered what excited me — marketing, Finally, I knew what I wanted.

I decided to visit the campus and gather information on what this college had to offer. I knew my goal was to receive my associate degree and transfer to a university to major in marketing and minor in accounting. So, I got started in May 2009. This is one of my biggest challenges in life. Paying for college is not going to be easy. I always think about what education can do for me and my family, and this gives me the driving force I need to succeed. I feel this is the right decision. The one thing no one can ever take from us is our knowledge. So in the end, sometimes life presents itself with only one choice at a time. The choice I have right now is to educate myself; so in turn, I can help others with their success. And my choice for success is Iowa Lakes.

“EDUCATION IS FOR IMPROVING THE LIVES OF OTHERS AND FOR LEAVING YOUR COMMUNITY COURTESY PHOTO

Julie Harris is a ﬁrst-year student at Iowa Lakes Community College in Emmetsburg.

563.589.3000 www.dbq.edu

AND WORLD BETTER THAN YOU F O U N D I T.” – MARIAN WRIGHT EDELMAN

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Kirkwood Community College Start here, go anywhere

ith global vision and innovative curriculum, Kirkwood Community College in Cedar Rapids is redeﬁning the role of the community college. From the ﬁrst-in-the-nation hotel that serves as an experiential learning laboratory, to simple services that help our students do better in class and get better jobs when they graduate, Kirkwood sets the scholastic bar. Whatever you’re interested in studying, Kirkwood has a program for you. In fact, we have the most programs of any college in Iowa. Go for two years and transfer to a four-year college, or graduate and start your career — the choice is yours. See all 120 of our programs at www.kirkwood.edu/programs. Once you’re on campus, you’ll

find state-of-the-art facilities no other college has. Just a few of the amazing resources that await you include: ■ A brand-new 32,000square-foot horticulture center, featuring the latest “green” technology, including geothermal heating and cooling and a roof system that catches rainwater for use in the greenhouses and landscaping areas. A large student commons area, a small-engine lab and an indoor soil floor used to teach patio building and other outdoor skills rain or shine, are just a few of the amenities. ■ High-fidelity computerized mannequins at our new Healthcare Simulation Center that replicate real-life emergency situations. The sims range in body structure from adult to

COLLEGE GUIDE infant and can be programmed to succumb to a number of crisis-level health problems while the students working to save them are observed by instructors and peers. Each simulation is reviewed, so students can hone their emergency responses. ■ A 400-acre working farm, where students actively participate in all aspects of crop and animal production. ■ The Iowa Equestrian Center, the Midwest’s premier equestrian facility. ■ 90,000 square feet of new classroom and office space opened just this year. ■ Jones Hall, the center of industrial technology at Kirkwood, received an $8.5 million makeover this year, featuring a new precision sheet metal fabrication area. The 30,000square-foot addition also made room for indoor working labs for our Carpentry, HVAC and Plumbing programs. ■ A 43,500-square-foot recreation center our students use for free. ■ The Hotel at Kirkwood Center, the largest and most comprehensive teaching hotel at a

www.wcfcourier.com/collegeguide community college in the entire United States. When open in 2010, the 71-room luxury hotel will include six suites and be staffed by professional managers assisted by Kirkwood Hospitality Arts students. But it’s our student services that truly set us apart. Regardless if you’re the valedictorian or you need a little academic help, Kirkwood is there for you with a variety of services and

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2010 programs. We’ll take you to the next step with honors programs, study abroad, tutoring, student organizations, academic advising and career services. And what’s the best part about being a Kirkwood student? You get all of this for half the cost of attending some other schools. Come spend the day with us and learn more about Kirkwood. Go to www.kirkwood. edu/tgif.

ge. Small Collepportunities.

Big O

YOU WANT college to be an engaging learning experience and the best years of your life. At Waldorf, that’s exactly what we offer – a small college with BIG opportunities. Something new is in store for you every day at Waldorf. Discover new abilities by being involved in activities you enjoyed in high school or ones you always wanted to try. DEGREE PROGRAMS • Business • Communications • Biology • Education

EXPERIENCE

• Music WALDORF • History • Residential & Hybrid Online Programs • Psychology • And Many More! • Dedicated Faculty & Staff

Waldorf

COLLEGE

• Small Classes with HandsOn Learning Opportunities • Athletic Teams • Fine Arts Programs

Visit our Website to Learn More!

www.waldorf.edu | 800.292.1903 Forest City, IA COURTESY PHOTO

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2010

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Laâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;James International College Distinctly different graduates pursue cosmetology careers

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aâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;James International College now offers distance education in addition to a degree program. LJIC is the ďŹ rst in the nation to have a fully accredited distance education program for cosmetology. This program will allow students to begin their cosmetology theory training online â&#x20AC;&#x201D; either simultaneously while attending three days at the college or prior to their practical training in cosmetology. This opens the door for many other opportunities in addition to being an LJIC student. The health and beauty management associate degree at LJIC is an exclusive articulation with Laâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;James International College and ICCC. Take college courses while you are completing your cosmetology or esthetics/massage training. Imagine earning your AAS degree and cosmetology or massage/esthetics license all in one year. Plus, you can even pursue your bachelorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s degree through a fairly large selection of colleges/universities through credit transfer. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I chose LJIC because of the health and beauty management degree. As a graduate of the program, it has given me the knowledge to run a successful business and has opened up further employment opportunities in the industry beyond working behind the chair,â&#x20AC;? said Ashley Dreyer. Laura Crowley said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;I have always loved doing hair for my friends and family so when I decided to change careers and go back to school, I decided it was time to go for something

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Laura Crowley I love.â&#x20AC;? LJIC has seven NACCAS accredited locations in Cedar Falls; Iowa City; Davenport; Des Moines; Fort Dodge; East Moline, Ill.; and Fremont, Neb. Fuel your passion while learning in a dynamic facility with an elite spa. LJIC has distinctively different opportunities including professional equipment, training from top educators and free lifetime continuing education. LJIC students also have the opportunity to take annual trips to New York, Chicago and San Francisco, as well as an international trip to places such as Mexico, Australia, Germany and Italy. LJIC student housing is available on Fort Dodge and Fremont campuses. You can become a professional in cosmetology, massage therapy, esthetics or nail technology at LJIC. Visit www.lajamesinternational.com or call (888) 880-2104.

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University of Dubuque

Waldorf College

of athletic support construction, will be named to honor former university coaches Moco Mercer and Don Birmingham and will be known as Mercer-Birmingham Hall. The U.S. Department of Educationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Student Support Services Program has awarded the University of Dubuque a $1.1 million grant over the course of ďŹ ve years â&#x20AC;&#x201D; providing academic, ďŹ nancial and personal counseling to low-income, ďŹ rst-generation students or students with disabilities. Now in its second year, the Universityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Learning Institute for FulďŹ llment and Engagement â&#x20AC;&#x201D; geared to the adult learner age 23 and older â&#x20AC;&#x201D; has expanded its offerings and now includes bachelorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s degrees in accounting; business administration; criminal justice; and health care leadership for the fall 2010. The University of Dubuque Theological Seminary is introducing a new master of arts degree in Missional Christianity. The two-year degree will equip women and men for competent leadership in missional ministry in congregations or other settings. This ministry may take the form outreach, urban or health, or work with parachurch organizations. This academic year marks the ďŹ rst full implementation of the Universityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s January Term calendar. The J-Term makes available structured time for off-campus (domestic and international) studies and innovative, accelerated oncampus courses. For more information or to schedule a visit, go to www. dbq.edu.

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2010

Online degree programs

Earn your bachelorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s degree online with the added beneďŹ t of attending one to four accelerated three-day courses delivered in a classroom format. Choose from degrees in business administration, ďŹ re science Students offered big possibilities administration and organizational leadership. Accelerated three-day courses are offered tuition-free ig possibilities await you resentative to view a list of open and take place in popular locations across the country. Students may at Waldorf College in For- house dates. complete these courses anytime est City. Founded in 1903, during their program of study. Waldorf is a friendly, private, Campus degree programs four-year, liberal arts school Small class sizes allow you to in the welcoming town of For- quickly become part of our inti- Campus athletic programs est City. Our liberal arts cur- mate community. Waldorf facThe Waldorf Warriors athletic riculum challenges students to ulty members are here because teams compete in the Midwest think critically by engaging in they want to teach students like Collegiate Conference and are imaginative, constructive and you. also members of the National thought-provoking classroom Passionate professors and Association of Intercollegiate discussions. hands-on learning experienc- Athletics. Sports offered are es help you choose a career as menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s baseball, football, hockey Open house scholarship unique as you are. and wrestling, menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s and womResidential degree programs enâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s basketball, bowling, crossReceive a $500 scholarship just for attending a Waldorf available include biology, busi- country, soccer and golf; cheeropen house. Visit the Future ness, communications, educa- leading, softball and volleyball. Students section of our website tion, history, music, theater and or contact an admissions rep- more. See WALDORF, page 16

Campus expands as number of students increases he University of Dubuque is excited to begin its 158th year by welcoming another record number of students and their families to the campus this fall. The university believes it is blessed with new and returning UD family members, as well as progress on several fronts: Architects have been selected for the development of a Fine and Performing Arts, Worship and Campus Center: boora architects of Portland, Oregon for Phase I-Planning, with Dubuqueâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Straka Johnson for Phase II-Design and Construction. The $40 million project â&#x20AC;&#x201D; $30 million for construction and $10 million in endowment for programming and operations â&#x20AC;&#x201D; will strengthen academic programs in ďŹ ne and performing arts, create a place in which students and faculty can gather as a community, and serve as a regional cultural center, becoming the heart of university life. Despite the addition of University Park Village (for undergraduates) and Seminary Townhouse Village, increasing enrollment at the University has created an on-campus housing shortage. Active planning is under way for the construction of three suitestyle residence halls adjacent to the Oyen Soccer Pitch on the South Campus. Construction is underway on a 12,000 square-foot office and classroom building adjacent to the Chlapaty Recreation and Wellness Center that will provide additional office space for athletic coaches and a permanent home for the universityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Army ROTC Detachment. The building, part of Phase II

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Northwestern College Institution receives high marks in national rankings

SHUTTERSTOCK PHOTO

www.kirkwood.edu

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Students attend class at Northwestern College in Orange City.

orthwestern College in Orange City has received impressive recognition within the past year. In its first-ever ranking of baccalaureate colleges, Washington Monthly rated Northwestern as the second best in the nation. The magazine says its rankings are based on how well the schools are fulfilling their obligations in the areas of social mobility, service and research. U.S. News & World Report ranks Northwestern ninth among 100 Midwestern colleges. The ranking is based on key measures of quality such as academic reputation, retention, faculty resources, student selectivity, financial resources and alumni giving. Meanwhile, Forbes.com ranks Northwestern among the top 15 percent of the nation’s colleges

and universities. The rankings are based on the quality of the colleges’ education, the experience of their students and how much they achieve. Only 14 Iowa colleges and universities were chosen as “America’s Best Colleges” by Forbes. Princeton Review.com lists Northwestern among 152 institutions selected for its “Best in the Midwest” designation, based on student opinion. Northwestern’s students praised the college’s affordability, faculty, community life and attitudes toward diversity. The President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll lists Northwestern, with distinction, as one of only six Iowa colleges among U.S. institutions whose students display exceptional commitment to community service. Last year more than 725 NWC students were involved in community service around

the U.S. Another 360 students were engaged in academic service-learning, putting classroom knowledge into practice by helping area agencies and businesses. Rugg’s Recommendations on the Colleges touts 18 Northwestern academic programs as among the nation’s best: actuarial science, athletic training, biology, business, chemistry, computer science, ecological science, education, English, history, music, philosophy, physics, psychology, religion, social work, Spanish and theater. And the Groundwater Foundation has named Northwestern a Groundwater Guardian Green Site in recognition of its care for the environment. NWC is among only six colleges to receive this designation. For admissions information, contact admissions@nwciowa. edu.

EDUCATION Starts Here.

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Allen College Nationally recognized for community service

very student at Allen College in Waterloo gets community service experience — faculty and staff have made sure of it. Students graduate from Allen College knowing the importance of community service and having several hands-on community service experiences under their belts. “We want every student to understand the importance of community service,” said Mary Brown, associate professor. “It’s our responsibility to give back as healthcare professionals in the community, and we ensure every student knows that.” Recently, the community

service efforts of Allen College faculty, staff and students were recognized at the national level. Allen College was named to the 2009 President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll. The Honor Roll award is administered by the Corporation for National Community Service and is the highest federal recognition a college or university can receive for its commitment to volunteering, service-learning and civic engagement. The Honor Roll includes six colleges and universities that are recognized as Presidential

COLLEGE GUIDE

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SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2010

ing Project, the ACE-SAP (Allen Awardees, with an additional 115 “We want every Community Engagement-Salnamed to the Distinction List and 621 schools named as Honor student to understand vation Army Program) Free Clinic, and the Salvation Army Roll members. the importance of Blood Pressure and Foot ScreenHonorees are chosen based Clinic. on a series of selection factors community service.” ing“Our faculty and students do including the scope and innovasuch high-quality work in the tion of service projects, percentMary Brown community,” said Brown. age of student participation in associate professor “The goal is to move up to service activities, incentives for service, and the extent to which community service projects for receive the distinction award, the school offers academic ser- award consideration including which is a deﬁnite possibility in the Parochial School Screen- the next few years.” vice-learning courses. “We are so proud of the service our generous and caring students have provided to the Cedar Valley,” said Allen College Chancellor Dr. Jerry Durham. “Most of our undergraduate nursing students and many of our health science students at Allen College have volunteered their time, energy and expertise to better our community.” During the 2008-09 school year, 175 of the 416 enrolled students were engaged in community service activities for a total of 2,213 hours. on a vibrant metropolitan campus, with the personal touch and the programs Allen College submitted three you need for success.

at Grand View University

chart your career (

38 majors

(

Dynamic internships

(

Nearly 100% job placement for more than a decade and a half

(

Affordable tuition

(

Average class size of 16

(

Financial aid to 99% of full-time students

(

Choice of on-campus living styles

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Personal attention

Discover who you are and what you can become at Grand View. COURTESY PHOTO

Every student participates in community service activities as part of their Allen College education. These students and faculty provided services at the Salvation Army in Waterloo. Front row (L-R): Amber Even, Evansdale; Emily Larsen, Atkins; Michaela Haugland, Cresco; Brittney Bennett, Ottosen. Back row (L-R) Mary Brown (faculty), Mavis TeSlaa (faculty), Kathi Eggleston, Nina Jackson, Gary, Ind.; Ashley Boeck, Guthrie Center; Caitlin Geilenfeldt, Lena, Ill.; Lisa Brodersen (faculty).

Des Moines, Iowa

515-263-2810 ( 800-444-6083 www.admissions.grandview.edu

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2010

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PAGE 15

University of Northern Iowa Students ﬁnd success at UNI

he University of North- faculty shows they care about ern Iowa is located on every student enrolled. The about 940 acres in Cedar various services that help you Falls, but the 13,000 students’ make it through the semester experiences aren’t confined is another thing that surprised me,” he said. within its borders. The same holds true for ChelStudents learn to climb walls of ice on an ice-covered silo sea Jehle of Cedar Falls. “I was surprised at all the difmade by instructor of physical education Don Briggs; they ferent ways you can get involved teach basic hygiene to Gypsies on campus,” said the senior leiliving on dumps in the Balkans sure, youth and human services with UNI associate professor major. “There is something for of health promotion and education Catherine Zeman; they everyone. I love the experience I get in my major. start successful businesses “Classes are very hands- Classes are very hands-on. In with guidance on. In both my major both my major Students listen during a lecture at the University of Northern Iowa. and expertise minor, from faculty, and minor, professors and professors have staff and community leaders; have pushed me to pushed me to get better and and UNI’s eduget better and learn learn the matecation majors They care spend more the material. They rial. about students time in front of a classroom care about students and really want us to succeed.” than any othand really want us to UNI students ers in the state, can expect an whether stusucceed.” excellent faculdent teaching ty-to-student in Iowa or halfChelsea Jehle ratio, excepway around the UNI student tional graduaworld. UNI was founded more than tion rates, a winning Division 130 years ago as a teaching I Panther athletics program, a school, but UNI students can vibrant campus life, 300 organow choose from 120 majors. nizations and student activity From its academic programs groups from which to choose and facilities to the size of the and outstanding internship and school, students say that UNI is job placement assistance. Students have access to one “just right.” “UNI has one of the top busi- of America’s best college dining ness schools in the nation,” said services, outstanding health and sophomore and Waterloo native wellness facilities, a 100,000square-foot performing arts Darvel Givens. While studying management complex, venues for playing in UNI’s College of Business and watching sports, recording Administration, Givens has studios, and much more. Discover how UNI is right for found success in a challenging academic environment and you at www.uni.edu, or call social enrichment from living (319) 273-2281 or (800) 7722037 to schedule a campus on campus. “The support from all the visit.

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Iowa Wesleyan College

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WALDORF From page 12

Fine arts programs Fine Arts at Waldorf College is composed of two areas, theater and music.

Students here can explore their possibilities

Campus activities With more than 35 clubs and organizations, Waldorf offers a variety of opportunities for stu-

n Iowa Wesleyan College education will get you ready to explore all the possibilities for your future. For 1981 graduate Peggy Whitson, that led to the International Space Station. Whitson, a NASA astronaut, is the first female commander of the ISS. Back on earth, Iowa Wesleyan graduates go on to careers in education, medicine, business, music, psychology and many other areas. Iowa Wesleyan College is located in the southeast Iowa community of Mount Pleasant. Students come from the local area, throughout the Midwest and around the world. Ranked first in diversity among all Iowa colleges, the Iowa Wesleyan student body includes 20 percent U.S. minorities and 9 percent international students. Students choose from five degrees offering more than 40 majors and pre-professional programs. With a studentfaculty ratio of just 12:1 and average class size of 14 students, Iowa Wesleyan is known for personal attention and a student-centered learning environment. More than 40 clubs and 14 NAIA intercollegiate men’s and women’s athletic teams keep students active and involved. Adding to the academic experience are two programs unique to Iowa Wesleyan: Service-Learning and Field Experience. Since 1968, Iowa Wesleyan has included a service-learning component in every student’s education. So far, IWC students have logged more than 1 million hours of service. The field experience program is an opportunity for students to

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2010 dents to get involved.

Affordable education Waldorf is committed to making a high quality academic experience accessible to all qualiﬁed students, regardless of income levels. Waldorf offers one of the most affordable educations in Iowa and has one of the lowest debt-upon-graduation rates in the state. Visit www.waldorf.edu or call (800) 292-1903.

Get ready FOR YOUR FUTURE

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Iowa Wesleyan students relax on campus. gain professional, hands-on experience in their ﬁeld of study through internships. Iowa Wesleyan is dedicated to making an excellent education affordable. More than 95 percent of all Iowa Wesleyan students who apply for ﬁnancial aid receive some assistance. The college awards over $14 million annually in the form of scholarships, grants, work

study and low-interest student loans. To learn more about Iowa Wesleyan College, call (800) 582-2383. A campus visit is a great way to see if Iowa Wesleyan is a good ﬁt for you. Visit the website at www.iwc. edu to learn more about programs, activities and upcoming events.

Come visit campus! Wesleyan Visit Day • Oct. 22 & Nov. 19 Tiger Spirit Day • Nov. 13 Register online at www.iwc.edu/visit

800.582.2383 admit@iwc.edu www.iwc.edu

MOUNT PLEASANT, IOWA

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2010

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Ashford University School provides affordable, innovative learning

he last 90 years have brought significant changes at Ashford University in Clinton, but what has never changed is Ashford’s commitment to provide affordable, innovative and high-quality learning opportunities to adult learners. Ashford is the perfect blend of tradition with 21st-century vision.

Going to college Students choose Ashford University to provide unforgettable college experiences that they will treasure for a lifetime. Thanks to small class sizes and dedicated instructors, students get the attention they deserve.

An affordable option With one of the lowest tuition costs in the Midwest, students can afford to advance their life with Ashford. They may even be eligible for ﬁnancial aid to help fund their education. In addition, Ashford University’s academic scholarship program, now in its second year, offers Dean’s, Provost’s and President’s scholarships. Students who have achieved a GPA of

3.00 or above (on a 4.00 scale) may be eligible to receive one of these academic scholarships. Achieving top grades requires hard work; now those grades may be the ticket to a full tuition scholarship at Ashford University. For more information on the academic scholarships, visit www.ChooseAshford.com.

Program choices At Ashford University, students can choose from more than 25 undergraduate programs, each designed to prepare them for success in their career by teaching them to think critically, communicate effectively, and adapt creatively to change. If students are looking for graduate studies, Ashford offers several programs including a master’s in business administration.

Outside the classroom Outside of class, there are many opportunities to get involved in clubs and organizations on campus. Campus organizations include service organizations, special interest groups, event planning com-

AIB College of Business Graduates ﬁnd employment or further education

espite a sluggish economy, AIB College of Business in Des Moines graduates continue to ﬁnd success after graduation, a report released by the college shows. The most recent AIB Graduate

Report shows that over 98 percent of AIB grads are employed and/or continuing their education for organizations in Iowa. Meanwhile, AIB is still offering a tuition freeze program for students who enroll full-time

COURTESY PHOTO

Students study in the library at Ashford University. mittees, support groups, honor societies and recreation clubs. Students who choose to live in one of Ashford’s residence halls have a variety of housing options, including an off-campus location.

Clinton Country Club, includes a new, artiﬁcial turf soccer ﬁeld and outdoor track. Ashford is a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics and the Midwest Collegiate Conference.

ing Commission, a commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (www. ncahlc.org); the Iowa Department of Education accredits the teacher education program within the College of Education.

Go Saints!

Online courses

Mission statement

Ashford’s student athletes, known as the Saints, are passionate about sports and athletics are an important part of the campus culture. The university ﬁelds 17 men’s and women’s intercollegiate sports teams, including the recently added tennis and bowling programs. The ﬁrst phase of Ashford’s South Campus, located on the site of the former

In addition to classes at its Clinton campus, Ashford offers online courses, providing another way for students to complete their education. Students rely on Ashford’s commitment to academic excellence, because it is regionally accredited by the Higher Learn-

The mission of Ashford University is to provide accessible, affordable, innovative, highquality learning opportunities and degree programs that meet the diverse needs of individuals pursuing integrity in their lives, professions, and communities. For more information, visit the Ashford University website at www.ChooseAshford.com.

health information management, general studies, insurance services, sports and event management transcription services, travel and hospitality management and voice captioning. Business administration degrees include the areas of leadership, ﬁnancial services and sales and marketing. The AIB Eagles compete in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics and feature three sports — women’s basketball, men’s golf and women’s golf. AIB plans to add men’s basketball and women’s volleyball in the fall of 2011, men’s and women’s soccer in 2012 and baseball and softball

in 2013. AIB is an independent, nonproﬁt, coeducational college of business. Founded in 1921, AIB has a high reputation for its business education and graduate employment placement. The college has an enrollment of nearly 1,000 day, evening and online students. The campus features 17 buildings on more than 20 acres near downtown Des Moines. To visit the campus, or for more information on AIB, visit www. aib.edu, call the Admissions Office at (515) 244-4221 or (800) 4441921, e-mail admissions@aib.edu or text the letters “AIB” to 68632.

and complete their academic programs. In addition, full-time students can earn their bachelor’s degrees in accounting or business administration in just three years — not four or ﬁve — as part of the AIB Degree in 3 option. These two options result in savings for the students. Bachelor’s degrees can be earned in accounting, business administration and court reporting. AIB also offers online bachelor’s degrees in accounting and business administration. AIB offers associate degree programs in accounting, business administration, communication,

Regional accreditation

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University of Iowa Considered a ‘best buy’ and a great school

hy is The University of Iowa in Iowa City consistently named a “best buy” in education by The Fiske Guide to Colleges? Its dynamic campus, located in the heart of a vibrant college town, offers all the resources of a major research university at one of the lowest tuition rates in the Big Ten. Iowa undergraduates can choose from more than 100 areas of study, or design their own major with personalized help from advisors and faculty. Beyond the classroom, Iowa offers nearly 500 student groups, research opportunities for undergraduates, and oneon-one attention and support that begins during your first campus visit and continues through your first job search or application to graduate school. At Iowa, you’ll find: Opportunities to engage with world-class researchers and teachers. About 80 percent of Iowa classes have fewer than 30 students, and 92 percent have fewer than 50 students. Plus, the Iowa Center for Research by Undergraduates helps students from every discipline connect with a mentor and get involved with research. Special programming for first-year students. Iowa helps new students meet friends, explore their interests, and capitalize on the University experience with programs like first-year seminars, the Pick One program, Courses in Common, living-learning communities, and the four-year graduation plan. Career support. Students get career guidance beginning their first year. The Pomerantz Career Center is one of the most comprehensive full-service career centers in the country.

Fast facts ■ More than 100 undergraduate areas of study in 11 colleges. ■ About 20,800 undergraduates and 30,500 students overall. ■ Students from every state and more than 100 countries. ■ 15-to-1 student-to-faculty ratio. ■ Nearly 500 student-run organizations. ■ 22 Big Ten varsity sports teams. ■ Admissions info at www. uiowa.edu/admissions.

Advisors can help you research COURTESY PHOTO careers and internships, assess your skills and practice inter- A group of students gets their picture taken with Herky, the Iowa Hawkeyes mascot. viewing. And each year, nearly 400 employers come here to conduct interviews. Leadership opportunities. Develop your leadership skills for college and beyond through programs like the Career Leadership Academy, the President’s Leadership Class, and the LeaderShape Conference, and DISCOVER by getting involved in one of the nearly 500 student groups YOURSELF on campus — or even starting your own. An affordable education. DEFINE YOUR Iowa offers one of the lowest tuition rates in the Big Ten, and WORLD it works hard to see that every student with ﬁnancial need DESIGN YOUR receives some form of aid. The university offers more than FUTURE 1,500 scholarships to admitted students each year based on The Morningside College ﬁnancial need, merit, or both. experience cultivates a A tradition of excellence. passion for life-long Recognized as the 29th best learning and a dedication public university in the nation to ethical leadership and by U.S. News & World Report, the University of Iowa is home civic responsibility. to top-ranked programs in the sciences and humanities, SENIOR VISIT DAYS one of the nation’s best acaSioux City, Iowa October 29 demic medical centers, and www.morningside.edu the esteemed Iowa Writers’ November 5, 12 & 19 (800) 831-0806 Workshop.

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Grand View University Open a window to a world of choices

eciding on a college can Moines is the perfect place for be overwhelming. But the internships that can lead to nothing is more impor- a job and create your first career tant than a solid academic pro- network. Grand View gram in your area emphasizes of interest, so “Grand View hands-on learnyou can get the education that emphasizes hands-on ing that includes internships at will lead you to a learning that includes major corporagreat career. and orgaWhether you internships at major tions nizations in know exactly what academic corporations and the metro area, including prepath you want to organizations in the mier companies follow — or you’d such as Meredith like to explore a metro area.” C o r p o ra t i o n , variety of fields Principal Finan— Grand View University has programs that cial and Wells Fargo. will open a window onto the world. Grand View is a private Learn to lead for life four-year liberal arts college in Life outside the classroom Des Moines. It was founded in helps you learn and grow as a 1896 and is affiliated with the whole person. Evangelical Lutheran Church in As a member of the National America. Association of Intercollegiate Athletics and the Midwest ColOpportunity to achieve legiate Conference, we offer We offer bachelor’s degrees ten sports for men and ten for in 38 majors, including bio- women. Through more than 30 chemistry, business, education, clubs, organizations, and sernursing, graphic design, com- vice projects, leadership oppormunication, journalism, human tunities abound. services, criminal justice, psychology, biology, computer sci- Educational value ence and more. High academic standards, Grand View is home to 2,000 personal attention, hands-on students, with a student-to- education, leadership opportufaculty ratio of 14:1 and an aver- nities and a true commitment age class size of 16. We provide a to your success are important quality education at an afford- parts of the quality Grand View able price, awarding financial offers. aid that brings the cost for many That translates into value. students close to that of a public Grand View typically awards university. around $22 million each year in financial assistance, with Hands-on experience the average assistance packAmong the things that make age for an entering freshman of Grand View special, though, approximately $22,000, with is an emphasis on hands-on $11,300 of the total in grants and experiences that truly prepare scholarships, with the remainder in work-study and loans. you for your career. For more information, visit With a population exceeding half a million people, Des www.grandview.edu.

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COLLEGE GUIDE

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William Penn University Where opportunity and academic achievement abound

world of opportunity is available at William Penn University in Oskaloosa. From excellent academic programs and a caring faculty to extracurricular activities and athletics, William Penn University challenges students to make the most of their college experience. When establishing William Penn University more than 130 years ago, members of the Society of Friends (Quakers) had a vision for the future. The Quaker values of integrity, compassion, ethical practice, acceptance, tolerance and service continue to be the framework for the quality of education that Penn provides to students today. Penn has one of the most diverse student bodies in Iowa that includes students from over 40 states and 12 countries. The university has experienced signiďŹ cant growth over the past decade. New facilities

are being developed, including a huge student recreation center. The Musco Technology Center houses one of Pennâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s newest programs, digital broadcasting, that is led by a 23-time Emmy-winning producer. Students in this program also have an opportunity to help produce news shows through the Wil- including student government, liam Penn University Commu- campus ministries, departnication Research Institute. mental clubs and organizations, intramural athletics and Programs and activities ďŹ ne arts activities. As a member William Penn University is of the National Association of accredited by the Higher Learn- Intercollegiate Athletics Wiling Commission of the North liam Penn University offers 17 Central Association and offers athletic programs for men and two 16-week semesters and women. Men compete in baseoptional summer sessions. The ball, basketball, bowling, crossLeadership Core, the univer- country, football, golf, soccer, sityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s general education curriculum, has brought national recognition to the university as a character-building college. Opportunities abound for students to get involved at William Penn University,

"UILDING MINDS "UILDING FAITH

At Northwestern, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll get an award-winning educationâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;in an environment that supports your Christian faith.

Watch â&#x20AC;&#x153;Real. Northwestern.â&#x20AC;? on YouTube. www.nwciowa.edu â&#x20AC;˘ 1-800-747-4757 â&#x20AC;˘ admissions@nwciowa.edu

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track and wrestling. Women compete in basketball, bowling, cross-country, golf, soccer, softball, track and volleyball. Dance, cheerleading and athletic bands add ďŹ&#x201A;avor to sporting events throughout the year.

Application, ďŹ nancial aid Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and are reviewed as soon as they are complete.

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2010 For more information, and to arrange a visit to campus, call (800) 779-7366, e-mail admissions@wmpenn.edu, or visit www.wmpenn.edu. William Penn University seeks to make it ďŹ nancially possible for qualiďŹ ed students to experience the advantages of a college education. Ninety-eight percent of William Penn Universityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s students receive ďŹ nancial aid such as academic scholarships, performing arts scholarships, athletic scholarships, international scholarships, work-study, federal and state grants and government loans. To apply for assistance, students must first apply for admission and be accepted in a degree program. All students are strongly encouraged to ďŹ le the Free Application for Federal Student Aid after January 1. Iowa residents must ďŹ le prior to July 1 to qualify for state student aid. The FAFSA can be ďŹ led electronically at www.fafsa.ed.gov. Contact us at admissions@ wmpenn.edu.

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Prepare for ACT, SAT and GRE tests for free The start of the new school year not only brings on crisp fall days and football games, but for many high school students, the need to prepare for college admissions tests. Test anxiety doesn’t have to be a factor for Iowa students because they can boost their conﬁdence with a free resource from the Iowa College Student Aid Commission (Iowa College Aid). Free online ACT and SAT test prep, available through Iowa’s statewide community portal, www.IHaveaPlanIowa.gov, adapts to the skill level of the user, provides personal tutoring with immediate feedback on every incorrect answer, and sends emails about what to study next. There also is a test prep component for the GRE, an admissions test used by many graduate and business schools to evaluate readiness for graduate level work. A separate vocabulary builder helps all students increase their vocabulary in preparation for testing. Iowa College Aid launched www.IHaveaPlanIowa.gov in 2009 to help students progress through middle school, high school, college and beyond and to provide tools for adults seeking education and employment opportunities. “We believe all Iowans should have the same opportunities to prepare for college admissions exams,” said Karen Misjak, executive director of Iowa College Aid. “Iowa families could save nearly $1.5 million if every Iowa high school junior and senior takes advantage of the free test preparation at www.IHaveaPlanIowa. gov. It is important for all Iowans to have a plan for accomplishing their college and employment goals. The State of Iowa is committed to providing the tools and resources needed to make that a reality.” Each time students log on and access the test prep resource at www.IHaveaPlanIowa.gov

they will be taken to their own homepage that tracks how much they have studied and how well they are doing. By entering their test date, the system will personalize the program to make their study time most effective. In addition, students can designate someone to be their test prep coach. The coach can be a parent, teacher, older sibling, friend, or anyone with whom they have a good relationship. The coach will be able to see their test prep progress and provide the students with extra support and motivation. While the ACT and SAT are both standardized college admissions tests accepted by most colleges and universities, there are differences. ■ The ACT tests students on subject matter covered in high school while the SAT is considered an aptitude test that measures reasoning or critical thinking. ■ The ACT has four sections: English, Mathematics, Reading and Science. The SAT has three sections: Critical Reading, Mathematics and Writing. ■ The SAT has a required writing section, while the writing section is optional in the ACT. ■ While both the ACT and SAT are primarily multiple choice tests (except for the writing section), the SAT has a math section that requires students to produce their own answers. ■ The SAT penalizes students slightly for wrong multiplechoice answers, while the ACT does not. For more information about the free test prep and other resources available through www.IHaveaPlanIowa.gov, students and families can contact Iowa College Aid’s Information Service Center at 877-272-4456. In addition, more information to help Iowa families plan, prepare and pay for college is available on Iowa College Aid’s website at www.IowaCollegeAid.gov.

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Loras College Get inspired for a career

o, whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s your major? Declared or undeclared, Loras gives you major options. More than 40 majors and minors to choose from, in fact. And if youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re undecided, no worriesâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;an academic advisor will help you ďŹ nd the right blend of classes. Ours is an active-learning curriculum with a 13-to-one student-tofaculty ratio. With this level of personal attention, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re sure to ďŹ nd plenty of inspiration.

Catch the Duhawk spirit With 21 sports, ours is one of the most broad-based athletic programs in the Iowa Conference, and one of the nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most respected and competitive NCAA Division III conferences. Within our athletic program youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll not only grow as an athlete, but youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll also realize personal, academic and spiritual growth. By attending Loras College students are exposed to a variety of subjects to receive a well

rounded education. With our active-learning curriculum and smaller classes that go beyond traditional lectures, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll learn from enlightened hands-on projects, including collaborative research projects. Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll see our devotion to a creative learning environment in every class.

itself. Students are encouraged to connect with one another through our wide variety of clubs, organizations and faith groups. Each year, students involved in our College Activities Board, student government, intercultural programs and other groups plan and participate in entertaining and diverse events.

You got to have faith

Learning goes beyond

As a Catholic college, academic and spiritual journeys are traveled along the same path. Part of being more at Loras may be realized by volunteering at local parishes and retreats, and helping homeowners with repairs and the homeless with basic shelter. Loras students are pledged to transform lives through student-ďŹ nanced missions for domestic and international causes. We never lose sight of the importance of the college experience

The Loras College Center for Experiential Learningâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;CEL for shortâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;brings the community, the workplace and the world together into a living classroom. CEL will challenge you to be engaged in academic internships, service learning and studying abroad. Shape your own education and bring experiential learning knowledge into your career.

More colleges offer co-ed dorm rooms McClatchy Newspapers

College students filling out their dormitory housing requests are making decisions about their future roommate: Messy or neat? Smoker or non? Early bird or night owl? Now many of them have a new question to ponder: Male or female? Across the country, colleges are changing the roommate rules and allowing men and women to share a bedroom. Only a small portion of students are choosing the option, college officials say. And when they do, the arrangements almost always are platonic. But the shift marks the next step in a decades-long evolution thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s shrunk the space that once separated the sexes on college campuses. Schools that allow men and women to room together

include the Occidental, University of California, Berkeley, the University of California, Riverside, Stanford, Humboldt State and the University of Oregon. University of California, Davis, officials said they will research the option in the coming year. College housing officials say mixed housing hasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t led to increases in sexual violence. Most schools limit mixed-gender rooms to speciďŹ c buildings or ďŹ&#x201A;oors. They assign students to mixed rooms only when both people request it. And itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s generally not couples who are asking to share a room. The requests tend to come from gay and lesbian students who feel awkward being paired with a roommate of the same sex, or from transgender students who feel their identity makes it difficult to ďŹ t into a typical dorm setting.

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a truly focused learning opportunity. These J-courses are intense three-week, full-credit, learning experiences that will allow you to explore a liberal arts subject in great detail. Many J-Term offerings include study-away opportunities. Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s more, Loras is the sole area college that issues each student a ThinkPad laptop and use of our wireless network.

Ready to be more?

Then youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re ready to be Loras. But ďŹ rst, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll have to meet Loras. And if you want more from your college education than a college education, weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d really like to meet youâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;and the best way to do that is a campus visit. Check us out at www.loras.edu or call the Office of Admission at 800.245.6727. We look forward J-Term and laptops to meeting with you and telling January Term â&#x20AC;&#x201D; or J-Term â&#x20AC;&#x201D; is you more.

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Wartburg College

Wartburg College students traveled to Nicaragua for May Term to engage in service projects, including providing school supplies, while working with two nongovernmental organizations, Self-Help International and El Porvenir.

Leadership, service opportunities can shape college experience By JORDAN GALLES For the Courier

s I enter my senior year at Wartburg College in Waverly, I ﬁnd myself reﬂecting on the last few years and how they have shaped my overall college experience. I have been blessed to be able to get involved with a variety of groups and organizations, meet lots of new people and capitalize on a variety of opportunities for experiences I never knew possible. All of these things culminated to form an unforgettable chapter in my life that will continue to shape me far into the future. One of the most integral pieces of this experience at Wartburg has been the time I spent in leadership study and active service. Leadership and service opportunities are abundant at Wartburg and, I believe, one of the most valuable experiences a student can have. The col-

lege mission statement says, “Wartburg is dedicated to challenging and nurturing students for lives of leadership and service as a spirited expression of their faith and learning,” and I believe Wartburg is working to do exactly that. Wartburg College places an emphasis on leadership and service. It is one of the few schools to offer a Leadership Certificate Program as an academic minor. Students in the program spend time studying the elements of effective leadership and developing their leadership characteristics and capabilities. This program focuses on self-discovery, vocational fulfillment, reflection, and integrative, peer-led discussions — all of which foster cooperative learning. This program was invaluable to my development in college.

Iowa State University Begin the adventure of your life

hen you ﬁrst set foot on campus, graduation and your ﬁrst job seem a long time in the future. You’ll get so caught up in Iowa State University in Ames and all it has to offer that ‘best time of your life’ will only begin to describe the experience. Then you’ll graduate in a blink

of an eye. Your parents will be totally proud. Your future is bright. And if you’re like 94 percent of Iowa State students who ﬁnd work in their major or go on to graduate school after graduation, you’ll have a cool job — maybe a dream job. And you’ll be ready to grab the opportunity and make it big because of your

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What I gained from this program can be applied to virtually any future profession and has helped develop universal skills that enhance my ability to communicate, relate, direct and lead. Through this program, Wartburg also introduces leadership students to the importance of service. Later in leadership study, we complete a semesterlong service project that beneﬁts the community and develops our leadership capabilities. The most popular venue for fulﬁlling this requirement is through Wartburg’s Community Builders program. This program pairs Wartburg leadership students with small groups of Waverly-Shell Rock students and a community member

to complete service projects, engage in character building exercises and teach academic lessons. The service component of leadership study was the most valuable part of the experience. The time I spent with the Community Builders program helped me grow tremendously, and I am very thankful for the experience. My time at Wartburg, most speciﬁcally in the Leadership Certificate Program, and in service to the community, has helped shape me into a more effective student, leader and person. I have taken a great deal from these experiences and I am so grateful for the opportunities that I have encountered. My leadership study at Wart-

burg has led me to connect with many campus groups; overseas to France, experiencing a new culture; and into the community with the passionate people of Waverly. Through these experiences, I think leadership and service at Wartburg have helped me appreciate the gravity of need throughout the world, understand the impact of community service, and equip me with skills that I will utilize far into the future. I am so thankful for these experiences and look forward to the application of these lessons throughout my life. Jordan Galles is a senior from Cedar Falls majoring in biology with minors in leadership and psychology.

potential and experience at Iowa State. But don’t get ahead of yourself. You’ll have the rest of your life for a career. Let’s talk about enjoying your adventure at Iowa State. Day one at Iowa State, you’ll get a feeling of excitement and anticipation. You’ll be able to see yourself here, there and everywhere. You’ll imagine what the ﬁrst day of classes will be like. What the ﬁrst night in the dorm will feel like. You’ll expect surprising things. A four-year adventure. Most importantly, you’ll feel welcome. From the moment you walk onto campus you’ll feel a vibe. People will go out of their way to help you. You’ll meet

people from around the world and find out they’re different than you but somehow the same. And you’ll find countless options and opportunities. It will be OK to feel a little nervous when you walk into your first class. Iowa State University is a highly regarded academic institution. Be assured, you’ll be challenged. But you’ll find your rhythm. You’ll love to learn. And when you’re done, you’ll be able to compete with anybody, anywhere. If you haven’t quite decided what you’d like to do for the rest of your life, we welcome you as an adventurous explorer. You’ll find 1,700 faculty members, 100 majors, 750 clubs and 27,000

students who will play a role in your adventure. Four years will go by fast. You’ll graduate. And then suddenly realize how much you’re going to miss the place. The fun. The classes. The friends you’ve made. Then you’ll know for sure that you were a part of Iowa State University. And Iowa State University will always be a part of you. If this sounds like a college adventure that ﬁts you, visit Iowa State University. We’ll show you the campus, residence halls and what the university has to offer students just like you. If you need ﬁnancial aid, we’ll help you with that too. Schedule your visit online at www.iastate.edu or call us at (800) 262-3810.

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COLLEGE GUIDE

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SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2010

Indian Hills Community College College has reputation for outstanding education, staff

ndian Hills Community College went into the 201011 academic year on the strength of record-breaking enrollment numbers from the previous year. The popularity of the college in Ottumwa in southeast Iowa can be traced to the reputation for outstanding programs, instructors, staff and facilities it has earned during the school’s 45 years in existence. The IHCC main campus is a picturesque setting in Ottumwa. The newest building added to the campus is the Rural Health Education Center, a state-ofthe-art facility that houses the college’s 20 health occupations programs. Indian Hills has a newlyrenovated north campus at the Ottumwa airport where the college’s two aviation programs — aviation pilot training and aviation maintenance — and three other programs are taught. IHCC is one of the few colleges in Iowa to offer aviation programs. IHCC also has a campus in Centerville that offers unique programs in drafting/virtual reality technology, construction management and sustainable agriculture/entrepreneurship. Arts and sciences courses are available in both Ottumwa and Centerville. They are designed for students who want to complete a two-year degree and then transfer to a four-year school. Many students take advantage of the partnership agreements that Indian Hills has with more than 20 four-year colleges and universities which allows for a seamless transfer of IHCC credits. The wide variety of technical education programs available at Indian Hills provides the skills and knowledge essential for successful entry into an occupation. Graduates of these technical

programs often have a job waiting for them in their chosen field before they receive their diploma or degree. The main campus in Ottumwa has five residence halls with the traditional one- and two-person rooms as well as suites that can accommodate up to five students. IHCC offers a four-day academic week which has proven to be very popular for students who are balancing their college schedule with work or family commitments. More than 80 percent of all Indian Hills students receive some form of financial assistance. The financial aid staff can help find the most affordable way to get an education. Indian Hills has a robust online learning program. More than 160 online courses are offered in subjects related to the arts and sciences, advanced technologies and health occupations. Online continuing education and skill-building courses are also available. The college sponsors more than 30 clubs and organizations that provide opportunities for student involvement and leadership. Scholarships are available for members of those clubs and organizations. Intramural sports are also popular as is participation in the college’s chorus, jazz band and theatrical productions. Indian Hills also has nine athletic teams: men’s and women’s soccer, men’s and women’s cross country, volleyball, men’s basketball, golf, softball and baseball. The best way to see all that Indian Hills has to offer is to schedule a campus visit. Call (800) 726-2585, ext. 5153, to arrange for a tour. Learn more about the college at www.indianhills.edu.

AN ADVENTURE LIKE THIS COMES AROUND ONCE IN A LIFETIME. The adventure is different for every student who comes here. An elective may help you discover a talent for journalism. A lab assignment may lead to working on a project to prevent cancer. An internship may be the ﬁrst step to a career you’re passionate about. Whatever your dreams are now, or become over the next four years, Iowa State has the options and the support you need to explore. Strive. Learn. Enjoy.

OLIH

100 MAJORS. 800 CLUBS. 1,700 FACULTY. ONE AMAZING ADVENTURE.

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2010

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Hawkeye Community College

COLLEGE GUIDE

THE COURIER

ASHFORD UNIVERSITY

SCHOLARSHIPS

Fast-track career programs get students employed By ASHLEY CHURCH

Consider all of the hard work youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve put in to achieve top grades throughout your education. Now consider that those grades may be your ticket to a full tuition scholarship at Ashford University in Clinton, Iowa.

Liberal arts major from Lisbon

oming to Hawkeye Community College in Waterloo as a ďŹ rst-year college student, I knew it was the place for me. The staff is so friendly, and there is an energy that I believe you cannot ďŹ nd at any other school. I found my place, and I started to do great with my classes as well as getting involved with all the activities on campus. I joined different groups and actually ďŹ gured out my major through them. I began working in the right direction toward my future. I have discovered myself, and without Hawkeye I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t think that would have been possible. Hawkeye has opened many doors and provided many opportunities for me. I would recommend Hawkeye to anyone, especially if they needed to ďŹ nd themselves or just needed a place to start. Hawkeye Community College has been great.

Choices Deciding where to attend college can be a really huge decision. You want to choose a college that will prepare you for the future, as well as one where you will be comfortable. There are many good reasons why you should consider Hawkeye Community College. Programs/majors: With more than 50 programs and majors, Hawkeye has a program that is right for you. Transfer programs: Almost half of Hawkeyeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s stu-

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PRESIDENTâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S SCHOLARSHIP

3.50 GPA AND UP

PROVOSTâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S SCHOLARSHIP

COURTESY PHOTO

Ashley Church dents will complete the ďŹ rst two years of their four-year degree at Hawkeye. The college has transfer agreements with both public and private four-year colleges, making transferring easy. Fast-track career programs: Begin a high-demand career in two years or less at Hawkeye. More than 97 percent of our career graduates ďŹ nd jobs. Personal attention: Hawkeyeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s average class size is 21, which allows your professors to know you by your name. Affordable: Full-time students at Hawkeye will save thousands of dollars in tuition by attending Hawkeye and transferring to a four-year public or private college or university. Campus size: Hawkeye is college of choice to approximately 6,300 students each year. Scholarships: Thousands of dollars are awarded in scholarships every year to Hawkeye students.

3.25 3.49 TO

GPA

DEANâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S SCHOLARSHIP

3.00 3.24 TO

GPA

You are eligible for this scholarship if you are admitted and have a cumulative grade point average of 3.50 or above (on a 4.00 scale). This scholarship will cover 100% tuition per academic year (currently $15,720) at Ashford University!

You are eligible for this scholarship if you are admitted and have a cumulative grade point average between 3.25 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 3.49 (on a 4.00 scale). This scholarship awards $12,500 toward your tuition per academic year at Ashford University.

You are eligible for this scholarship if you are admitted and have a cumulative grade point average between 3.00 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 3.24 (on a 4.00 scale). This scholarship awards $10,000 toward your tuition per academic year at Ashford University.

&RQWDFW WKH $VKIRUG 8QLYHUVLW\ $GPLVVLRQV 2IÂżFH DW or visit www.ChooseAshford.com for additional information on attending Ashford University. This scholarship program is for full-time, degree-seeking, traditional on-campus semester students who meet admission requirements and will start in fall 2011 only. Ashford University students enrolled in the online and ASPIRE modalities are not eligible. Ashford University will admit students and award scholarships to students who qualify until the University has reached enrollment capacity. Applicants admitted to Ashford University for fall 2011 will need to submit a signed written commitment to attend Ashford University along with a $250 deposit to secure their place in the fall 2011 incoming class. Each of the above scholarships is renewable if students maintain certain minimum Ashford University cumulative GPA requirements: Presidentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s: 3.50; Provostâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s: 3.25; Deanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s: 3.00. Recipients of the above scholarships are responsible for paying University fees (currently $550 per year) and books (currently estimated at $1,000 per year). Fees DQG ERRNV FRXOG SRVVLEO\ EH SDLG WKURXJK WKH XVH RI RWKHU ÂżQDQFLDO DLG SURJUDPV IRU WKRVH ZKR TXDOLI\ SOHDVH FRQWDFW WKH )LQDQFLDO $LG 2IÂżFH IRU DGGLWLRQDO LQIRUPDWLRQ $VKIRUG 8QLYHUVLW\ LV located at 400 North Bluff Blvd., Clinton, IA 52732.

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COLLEGE GUIDE

THE COURIER

Simpson College Students beneﬁt from partnerships

son students beneﬁt from partnerships with many Des Moines organizations and businesses. Students are prepared for job and internship opportunities in Des Moines through excellent academic coursework and oncampus activities. Students also interact with the business community through class ﬁeldtrips to area organizations and job shadowing opportunities. Many

impson College will celebrate 150 years of remarkable history, unforgettable traditions and educational excellence during the 2010-11 academic year. Founded in 1860, Simpson College has established itself as a premier institution for higher education in Iowa and throughout the Midwest. Located just 12 miles south of Des Moines in Indianola, Simp-

professionals also come to campus to mentor Simpson students or to speak about their experiences in the business world. The Center for Vocation and Integrative Learning at Simpson oversees many of these important educational opportunities and assists both students who are looking for internships and organizations in need of interns or volunteers. CVIL also works with professors to develop service-learning courses that allow students to volunteer with organizations in Des Moines, such as Children and Family Urban Ministries and the Catholic Worker House. Service to the community is one of the most important ideals at Simpson College. Last year, the Simpson community contributed nearly 47,000 hours of service — the majority in central Iowa. Simpson was named to the President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor

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SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2010

Roll for the fourth straight year. In both 2008 and 2009, Simpson received the national award “with distinction.” Simpson has also been a beacon for the arts in central Iowa. Founded by Dr. Robert Larsen in 1973, the Des Moines Metro Opera — recognized as one of the top summer opera programs in the world — has made its home at Simpson College. Larsen, retired professor of music at Simpson, also shaped the college’s quality undergraduate opera and music programs, and Simpson’s students have beneﬁted from working with the talented performers who live in Indianola each summer. Simpson’s focus also extends beyond central Iowa as the college seeks to prepare students to live and work in a global society. Simpson’s semester abroad programs and three-week May Term allows students to study in diverse locations around the world and gain valuable cultural

experiences. For the last three years, Simpson has been named to U.S.News & World Report’s list of colleges with the highest percentage of students studying abroad. Simpson is proud of the strides it has made as an institution during the last 150 years. Moving forward, Simpson has developed a new curriculum that will continue to encourage engaged citizenship and the development of life skills through hands-on learning on campus and in the community. The new curriculum will allow Simpson to continue to develop leaders not only in the ﬁeld of business but also in the arts and sciences. An important aspect of this curriculum is the valuable relationship with central Iowa businesses and organizations, a relationship that beneﬁts not only the college, but the community as a whole. For more information, visit www.simpson.edu

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AIB College of Business

HGX earn your

bachelor’s degree

in three years!

| Des Moines, IA | www.aib.edu | 800-444-1921

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Northeast Iowa Community College Choose from over 75 programs and start on a great career in two years

ave you considered earning your college degree in two years instead of four? Many careers in northeast Iowa require additional education after high school, but not necessarily a four-year degree. For a quality educational investment in a shorter span of time, consider enrolling in one of over 75 academic programs at Northeast Iowa Community College. NICC has great programs and service learning opportunities on-campus, off-campus and online. Plus, enrollment at NICC continues to rise as more and more students choose the cost-effective solution to their

college degree plans. NICC offers a variety of associate in arts and science transfer degree programs, career and technical degrees and programs in nursing and allied health, industrial technology, business and computer science, the humanities and agriculture. The collegeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s two-year degrees prepare graduates to enter careers that offer competitive wages with great local employers. Two-year degrees from NICC offer so many opportunities to train for a career off the beaten path. Right now, careers in computer technology, computer networking and administration and

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THE COURIER

other allied health ďŹ elds such as trip for students to expand their dental assisting and health infor- knowledge and learning through mation technology, are rising on service. In the past two years, the stateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s list of hot jobs. Skilled NICC students have participatgraduates in these ďŹ elds com- ed in week-long service learning programs mand high wages A four-year degree in Chicago and locally, working to put for employers has great value, but Denver their educawho need talented, prepared and two years at NICC tion and personal talents knowledgeable may be a faster return into action to professionals. others. A four-year on your educational help NICC students degree has great have shared value, but two investment that these trips years at NICC may be a faster return on your outside the campus comfort educational investment. There zone proved to be some of the also are many opportunities most memorable and rewarding outside of the standard class- learning experiences that they room that create great college have had. There also are new opportuniexperiences for students, such as taking coursework online or ties to work in â&#x20AC;&#x153;greenâ&#x20AC;? energy participating in service learning ďŹ elds, such as the new NICC Wind Energy Turbine Technievents. The NICC Student Life, Diver- cian program at the Calmar sity and Leadership offices at the campus. This program focuses Calmar and Peosta campuses on the renewable energy ďŹ eld offer an annual spring break and teaches students to build,

repair and manufacture one of the fastest growing environmentally-friendly sectors of the Iowa economy. As the second largest wind energy generating state in the U.S., this Iowa job sector needs skilled technicians to build upon a successful industry. For the student who looks for ďŹ&#x201A;exibility, NICC offers 13 programs completely online. Online degrees in psychology, business specialist, agriculture business, allied health and others give students the space to work on their studies independently and conveniently, which is especially important for students with part- or full-time job schedules. Whether you enroll in an online program, live near one of the collegeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s campuses in Calmar and Peosta â&#x20AC;&#x201D; or centers in Dubuque, Oelwein, New Hampton, Cresco or Waukon â&#x20AC;&#x201D; NICC is the better investment to build your future career. Visit www.nicc.edu for more information or to arrange a campus visit.

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PAGE 28

COLLEGE GUIDE

THE COURIER

Ellsworth Community College makes a great impression

hat would a college have to do to impress you? Once you ﬁnd out what’s happening at Ellsworth Community College in Iowa Falls we’re betting you’ll want to take an even closer look at ECC. ECC recently opened three new multi-million dollar facilities. The new Robert & Arlene Hamilton Campus features a state-of-the-art Agriculture & Renewable Energy Center as well as a new ECC Equestrian Center. In addition, ECC constructed the Dale Howard Student Activity Center, a beautiful building that includes two basketball courts (also equipped for volleyball and tennis), an indoor walking/running track, a wellness center, locker rooms, classrooms, a stu-

dent lounge and meeting areas. It’s a popular student hangout on campus. With more than 70 percent of Ellsworth students transferring to a four-year institution to complete a bachelor’s degree, ECC has one of the highest student success rates of any community college in Iowa. Another reason so many students choose to start their college experience at Ellsworth and then transfer credits for a bachelor’s degree is because ECC has dual enrollment agreements with the University of Iowa, University of Northern Iowa and Iowa State University. When students enroll at ECC they also can be enrolled at one of the Regent universities at the same time. Dual enrollment gives ECC students access

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to academic advising, library resources, athletic events, and all the other amenities of the state universities. At ECC it’s not just about transferability of courses, it’s about quality of instruction. Our most recent class of associate degree nursing graduates who took the Iowa board exams for their nursing licenses scored 100 percent on their state exams (the state average is 82.28 percent). That’s virtually unheard of. Want more? ECC’s equestrian program is currently ranked second in the nation by HorseSchool.com and is the only Iowa equestrian program listed in the Top 15. ECC’s program scored 96.8 percent out of 100, based on teacher/student radios, tuition, number of instructed rides per week, horse/student ratio, and a variety of other factors. Here’s even more good news about Ellsworth Over $688,000 is awarded in ECC scholarships each year. More than 70 percent of our

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2010

The Ellsworth Community College campus has experienced recent expansions. COURTESY PHOTO

students receive some type of scholarship or ﬁnancial aid. ■ ECC continues to be ranked the 17th best community college in the nation by Washington Monthly magazine, based on student satisfaction and student achievement benchmarks. ■ Ellsworth’s fall enrollment is about 1,200 students, which means we’re a small college

where you’ll make friends quickly, know your instructors personally, and feel right at home. ECC offers Panther Preview Days for high school students. For more information or to reserve a space, call 641-6484611 or (800) 322-9235 or e-mail eccinfo@iavalley.edu. Seeing is believing, so check us out at www.EllsworthCollege.com.

Find Yourself @ Penn

www.wmpenn.edu | 800-779-7366

William Penn University offers scholarships for the following sports and activities:

Baseball • Cheerleading • Dance • Digital Communications • Drama • Football • Marching Band • Basketball Bowling • Cross Country • Golf• Soccer• Track• Softball• Vocal Music• Volleyball• Wrestling

GROWING!

We have something for everyone!

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2010

Morningside college Make a visit to Morningside: Campus visits can help you ďŹ nd the right college

ou can search websites and look through brochures, but the best way to ďŹ gure out whether you like a college is to go on a campus visit, according to two students attending Morningside College in Sioux City. â&#x20AC;&#x153;You get a feel for the campus really well â&#x20AC;&#x201D; what the classrooms are like, what the administration and professors are like,â&#x20AC;? said Nicole Guericke, a 2010 graduate of Hanson High School in Alexandria, S.D. â&#x20AC;&#x153;You just get a feel for what everythingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s like and if youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll ďŹ t in or if youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll like it.â&#x20AC;? It is wise to look at a range of schools. During each visit, think about what matters most to you, whether it is the student-faculty

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ratio, residence life options, cocurricular programs, technology available or opportunities in the surrounding community. To get a true comparison, schedule each visit on a weekday. Call at least a week ahead of time so the admissions office can schedule meetings with faculty and staff members in your interest areas and make plans for you to talk with someone about ďŹ nancial aid options, tour the campus and interact with current students. Jordan Mouw, a 2010 graduate of Boyden-Hull High School in Hull started visiting campuses his junior year in high school. He said heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s glad he did.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;During your senior year, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re just so busy,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Trying to ďŹ nd time is just about impossible. Your junior year, you have more time for that.â&#x20AC;? Because Mouw started early, he was able to visit campuses more than once before ďŹ nally deciding which school to attend. â&#x20AC;&#x153;You want to get more personal with your advisor, your professors, some of the athletic or music people, just to get a feel for what those people are going to be like,â&#x20AC;? he said. It wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t until Mouw spent the night in the residence halls that he ďŹ nally decided to attend Morningside College. â&#x20AC;&#x153;You get to experience for one night what itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s going to be like in college,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I just felt more comfortable at Morningside. Everybody was friendly.â&#x20AC;? As for Guericke, she also visited the Morningside College campus more than once. She said she appreciates how that allowed her to get to know the professors. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I get treated as an individu-

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Jordan Mouw and Nicole Guericke are freshmen this year at Morningside College in Sioux City. They said campus visits helped them the most in deciding where to go to school. al already, and not just another student or another number,â&#x20AC;? she said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;They know me by name already, many of them, and they recognize me. You know, they will say, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Oh, did you come here before?â&#x20AC;&#x2122; I will say, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Yeah, I was here before.â&#x20AC;&#x2122; And they will say, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;I remember you.â&#x20AC;&#x2122; I think thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s really cool.â&#x20AC;? Back when she was a junior, Guericke didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t think it was that important to actually visit

a bunch of colleges. Now she said she is glad she did because it helps her to know she made the right decision in choosing Morningside College. â&#x20AC;&#x153;You can read about it, but experiencing it firsthand is something totally different,â&#x20AC;? she said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Pictures are OK, too, but the real experience is seeing it in person.â&#x20AC;? For more information about Morningside, call (712) 274-5511.

Wartburg College: Living your learning â&#x20AC;&#x153;Taking responsibility for our communities and making them better through public action.â&#x20AC;?

Washington Center Award: Assisting flood victims

onor Roll: Presidentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s H ship Institute er ad Le ol ho High Sc icago Ch to rolls in

ce grants: Davis Projects for Pea yana Gu in Fighting malaria

MacJannet Prize: Com Wartburg is No. 1 in percentage of munity building in Nicaragua participation among the 150 chapters of Break Away, the alternative break connection, with 15.3% of our students going on 24 service projects.

2. 3.

For the last four years, Wartburg has been named to the Presidentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll â&#x20AC;&#x201D; twice â&#x20AC;&#x153;with distinction.â&#x20AC;? The MacJannet Prize for Global Citizenship bestowed a third-place award on Wartburgâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Community Builders program â&#x20AC;&#x201D; college students, volunteers and schoolchildren working together to strengthen communities from Iowa to Nicaragua.

Wartburg has received four Davis Projects for Peace grants since 2007 for bore-hole drilling for clean water in Nigeria, fighting malaria in Guyana, removing land mines in Cambodia, and promoting inclusion in Iowa.

The Washington Center honored Wartburgâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s innovative Center for Community Engagement with one of its five 2009 Higher Education Civic Engagement Awards, citing students â&#x20AC;&#x153;living their learningâ&#x20AC;? through community involvement

Schedule your campus visit No. 1 Break Away chapter: Helping the disabled in Florida

Leadership. Service. Faith. Learning. 8BSUCVSH #MWE 8BWFSMZ *PXB t XXX XBSUCVSH FEV t 800-772-2085

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COLLEGE GUIDE

Eastern Iowa Community College District More than 60 career-based programs can be completed in a year or less through Clinton, Muscatine and Scott Community Colleges

linton, Muscatine and Scott Community Colleges offer the best of both worlds — a great learning experience with smaller class sizes and caring faculty, stateof-the-art facilities, easy transfer of credits — and one of the lowest tuitions in Iowa. With on-campus student housing at Muscatine Community College and a brand new near-to-campus student apartment complex (opened August 2010) at Scott Community College, you have the option of going away to college while still staying close to home. If it’s a four-year degree you’re

looking for, the colleges of the Eastern Iowa Community College District offer a number of programs that prepare you for academic success and transfer seamlessly to several area universities. If you’ve got your eye on a faster career track, we have more than 200 career-based programs which offer hands-on training and direct experience — 65 of which you can complete in a year or less with a certiﬁcate or diploma and be ready to enter the work force with the skills you need. One of the best things about our community colleges is our

ability to adapt to a changing marketplace and to respond to the unique needs of students. This means our colleges “reinvent” themselves on an ongoing basis. You also have the ability to “reinvent” yourself through education. We also are always growing to serve our students better. This past year that’s meant new science labs at all three campuses, a new Culinary Arts and Hospital Management Center and renovated Career Technical Building at Scott Community College, a new Clinton Community College learning campus in Maquoketa, and a new Ag Center and

www.wcfcourier.com/collegeguide University Center at Muscatine Community College. In addition, our campuses have upgraded computer labs, added WiFi to many locations, improved student commons areas and enhanced campus landscaping and access. To get started on your journey, visit our web site at www.eicc. edu. You’ll find information on programs, scholarships, financial aid and campus activities, as well as an application for admission. Plus you can check out how our tuition compares to other colleges and universities in the area. You can also follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/clintoncommunitycollegeia; www. facebook.com/muscatinecommunitycollege; or www.facebook.com/scottcommunitycollege Take the first step. Find out your potential — and ours! Contact us for more information about our colleges and our programs. Better yet, come visit us

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and spend the day learning how we can help you Fuel Your Mind. See for yourself how we can be a great connection to your future. For more information or to schedule a campus visit, call (888) 336-3907.

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Fast facts

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Mount Mercy University Students learn to reﬂect, engage, serve and live

ount Mercy University provides students with a quality education grounded in service to the common good. Mount Mercy’s emphasis on practicum and internship experiences opens doors to full-time employment following graduation and prepares students for the challenges of the working world. Within six months of graduation, 88 percent of Mount Mercy students are employed or in graduate school. Many Mount Mercy alumni choose to live and work in Iowa, serving their communities in government, non-proﬁts, healthcare, education and business — areas that inﬂuence all aspects of society and make for a growing, thriving community.

Academic excellence Located in Cedar Rapids, Mount Mercy University combines a strong liberal arts foundation with outstanding professional preparation, including an emphasis on internships in every area of the curriculum. Mount Mercy’s dedicated faculty members inspire students to lead and serve, made easier with small classes (average size is 15) and a student-

teacher ratio of 13:1. Mount Mercy students benefit from career opportunities with international corporations, such as General Mills, AEGON, Quaker Oats and Rockwell Collins that often result in full-time employment after graduation. Mount Mercy’s strong programs in biology, business, criminal justice, education, English, psychology and nursing provide undergraduates with opportunities in competitive ﬁelds. Graduate programs in business, education, marriage and family therapy and nursing, which will launch in winter term 2011, provide graduate degrees for professionals looking to advance their careers.

Athletics and clubs Mount Mercy University is a great place to be a student-athlete, succeeding in the classroom and on the ﬁeld. Intercollegiate teams — the Mount Mercy Mustangs — compete in the NAIA Division II as members of the Midwest Collegiate Conference. The Mustangs own more than 35 conference championships and numerous NAIA National tournament appearances. Intramural sports like basketball, volleyball,

Total Cost: Tuition 2010-2011: $23,260 Room & Board $ 7,260 Books (est.) $ 1,200 Total Cost $31,720 ■ Financial Assistance: One hundred percent of freshmen students receive ﬁnancial assistance, and all are eligible for institutional scholarships and grants that do not require repayment. Work-study opportunities, state and federal grants, and low-interest loans are also widely available. ■ Accolades: U.S. News & World Report ranks Mount Mercy as one of America’s Best Colleges. Mount Mercy is also a member of the Colleges of Distinction, which recognizes that a Mount Mercy education is a strong start for a lifetime of learning and service.

golf, ﬂag football and softball provide students with opportunities to compete in a less structured environment. Students can also choose from more than 30 campus clubs and organizations, including the Biology Club, Student Government Association or Political Science Club. Mount Mercy’s recreation programs offer students the opportunity to enjoy off-campus cultural events, area attractions, hiking, biking and more. Students have access to the recreation center that includes a cardio room, weightlifting room, racquetball court,and basketball court, as well as an additional ﬁtness room in Lundy Commons.

Service in the community Mount Mercy University students are heavily engaged in a variety of hands-on service projects. Service learning and social justice work is the backbone of the Mount Mercy experience, and is encouraged through the University’s curriculum. Degrees: Mount Mercy University offers the bachelor of arts, bachelor of science, bachelor of business administration, bachelor of science in nursing, bachelor of applied science and bachelor of applied arts degrees. Graduate programs are offered in business, education, marriage and family therapy, and starting Winter term 2011, nursing. Apply today at www.mtmercy.edu.

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Emmaus Bible College offers new business administration major

he new Business Administration program at Emmaus Bible College in Dubuque is uniquely equipped to prepare a new generation of business leaders. The curriculum provides a strong biblical foundation, along with challenging courses in business areas such as ﬁnance, marketing, leadership, ethics and law. The program got off to a great start in the fall 2009, under the supervision of interim program director, Sue Stratman. Sixteen students are currently pursuing the double major in Bible and theology and business administration, and the program has received lots of attention from prospective students. This fall, Emmaus welcomed a new program director for the business administration program, Phil Boom. Boom holds a bachelor of science degree in chemical engineering from the New Jersey Institute of Technology and a master of business administration degree with a major in international business and marketing from Temple University. He brings a wealth of experience to Emmaus from his 29-year career at DuPont, a large multi-national corporation in Wilmington, Delaware. Boom had a variety of technical and leadership roles across

multiple functions at DuPont, including sales and marketing, manufacturing, business development, planning and ﬁnance and supply chain management. Most recently, he served as business manager of DuPont’s Specialty Chemicals division. Boom also brings a strong international and cross-cultural perspective to the business program. He is ﬂuent in English and Dutch, and capable in French and German. He has lived in the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Brazil and Canada. Prior to the Boom’s move to the Midwest, he served as an elder at Brandywine Bible Chapel in Wilmington. He also has served as member and chairman of the board of Hickory Cove Bible Camp, Taylorsville, N.C. Boom will be working with a number of other business faculty members who bring their business experience and biblical worldview to the Emmaus classroom. Maybe the Lord is calling you to serve Him in the business world. The business administration program at Emmaus provides a strong biblical foundation for effective business practice. Check out program details or details of additional programs at www.emmaus.edu.

UNI Cedar Falls, Iowa

Call 800-772-2037 or visit www.uni.edu to learn more.