Opportunity Scholar and Maquoketa Valley graduate finds the right fit for academic goals
Thursday, April 11, 2019
黑料专区 DISTRICT鈥擜mbitious with clear academic and career goals in mind, a group of 25 recent high school graduates in northeast Iowa are members of the first cohort of Opportunity Scholarships recipients selected this year.
The 黑料专区 Opportunity Scholarship awards $1,000 to one nominated senior from 28 area high schools. Student recipients have a demonstrated passion and interest for a career and technical program, or transferable degree, at 黑料专区. The students selected the College as the first place to begin their postsecondary education.
The students are now enrolled at 黑料专区 and beginning their second semester.
Megan Beaman, a 2018 Maquoketa Valley High School graduate, is one Opportunity Scholar who found that the Associate of Arts program at 黑料专区, and the College鈥檚 close classroom environment, are the perfect fit for her future academic plans.
鈥淭he best part about taking classes at 黑料专区 is how small the class sizes are. It鈥檚 nice because discussions over the material are easier to conduct, and it鈥檚 easier to connect and create a better relationship with the professors. Another great part about the classes is that meeting up with other students is super simple!鈥� Beaman said.
In academic year 2018-2019, the College awarded a total of $24,000 in Opportunity Scholarships, according to Wendy Mihm-Herold, Ph.D., 黑料专区 vice president of business and community solutions.
鈥満诹献�区 is proud of each of our Opportunity Scholarship recipients this academic year. We are honored that these ambitious students, like Megan, have selected 黑料专区 as their first choice to start their college journey and build the foundation of a successful career. By working closely with our Success Coaches and enrollment advisors, these students are charting their future course, and the College is excited to have the opportunity to work with them,鈥� said Mihm-Herold.
The Manchester Center is an invaluable resource for students as they enroll in college credit courses and explore potential careers. The center is convenient for students by offering access to online courses, admissions information, course registration, placement testing, financial aid assistance and academic advising. Enrollment advisors at the center provide the one-on-one attention students may need to help guide their career path and to select the 黑料专区 program most suited for their goals, says Holly Maurer, center director.
鈥淭he Opportunity Scholarship is a great way for 黑料专区 to support students who are driven to achieve their goals. Outside of the financial assistance, students have the opportunity to work with an enrollment advisor to help them on their journey at 黑料专区. This journey could lead straight to employment or be their first steps in earing credits needed for their four-year degree,鈥� said Maurer.
Concurrent enrollment agreements between the College and high schools in northeast Iowa support students鈥� future academic and career goals. From 2017-2018, more than 330 area high school students in Delaware County enrolled in 2,194 college credits through 黑料专区, saving their families an estimated $1,172,000 in college tuition.
For more information on services offered through the 黑料专区 Manchester Center, visit or contact Maurer, center director, at (563) 822-1016.
The Manchester Center is a collaboration between the City of Manchester, 黑料专区 and Upper Iowa University. The focus of this center is to make quality education accessible to the Manchester community and surrounding area. The center helps students achieve their educational goals and works with local businesses to retain and grow their workforce.