Education is the foundation for all that we will achieve and the key to our future successes. What we learn from those who raise us to our first days in the classroom, on throughout K-12, and then all of our experiences and opportunities beyond, is what allows us to contribute to society in an intellectual and meaningful way along with enhancing our own lives overall. From earning a respectable income and enjoying all of the good things that life has to offer, to security and equality, to self-dependency and work ethic, to increased confidence and let’s not forget the economic growth of our great nation, for all of these reasons (and the list continues to grow!) education is at the center of progress and achieving all of our dreams.
At any age or stage in life you find yourself at, there are a wealth of opportunities to take advantage of in our community – it all depends on your areas of interest and career goals. Education is not static either; just as the more we learn the more we grow, our education systems and programs continue to adapt and advance. Cultivating talent is a major point of focus across all industries currently, so exposure to knowledge, targeted courses of study, and mentorship is crucial.
Sheri Irwin-Gish – UNL College of Business Administration
The University of Nebraska-Lincoln is one of the more prominent institutions here in Nebraska, with 150 academic majors and a wealth of incredible opportunities available to students who are pursuing a degree. Particularly for those interested in business-related fields, the College of Business Administration is undergoing a major expansion in order to accommodate the demand in that area. “We are building a new $84 million, 240,000-square-foot College of Business Administration, which is the largest academic building project in recent history at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln,” notes Sheri Irwin-Gish, Executive Director of Communications, Marketing & External Relations for the University of Nebraska-Lincoln College of Business Administration. “However, Dean Donde Plowman has always said it’s not only about building a building; she and all of us at CBA are building a college. That includes new programs, new faculty, new student services and new staff combined with innovative teaching, interactive learning and state-of-the-art technology for our students.
This is an exciting time for the College of Business Administration at UNL. Programs like supply chain and entrepreneurship are new programs that are expanding. We have a new director for the international business program who is bringing energy and many new ideas to that program. Our business minor for students not majoring in business has been growing rapidly as well.”
She adds, “The University of Nebraska-Lincoln College of Business Administration is offering Executive Education Certificate Programs this spring. These programs are non-credit executive education programs geared for working managers and professionals who want to develop new skills. The Certificate in Finance and Accounting program is set for April 6-8, and the Certificate in Sales Excellence program led by Dr. Ravi Sohi will follow on May 4-6. It’s important to note that we can also custom programs tailored to your specific business as well. Those interested can learn more or register at: http://cba.unl.edu/execed.”
Fernando Lecuona – Council Bluffs Community Education Foundation
Community support for our local education systems is critical to the success of our future leaders, and there are many people behind the programs and initiatives that shape the lives of our students and the growth of our community as a whole. “Education is the great equalizer in life and we, as a community, need to band together to ensure that our children make a lifelong commitment and get what they need from our academic institutions so they can prepare and be successful in the 21st Century and beyond,” emphasizes Fernando Lecuona, Executive Director of the Council Bluffs Community Education Foundation. “We believe that ‘Education is Everyone’s Business.’ Here in Council Bluffs, the school district is doing a phenomenal job of educating our students and raising the bar higher and higher with every year. We build on the achievements of the school district to create a better educational environment that will take our district and community to the next level.
The CB Community Education Foundation (CEF) raises funding for several needs of the district not funded by tax dollars. Programs include: Kids & Company – Before and After School programs, Teacher Recognition programs, CB Alumni & Friends Network, Teacher – Classroom Grants, and scholarships for graduating seniors. In a joint effort with the CB Rotary Clubs the Foundation sponsors the annual 5th Grade Career Fair, and we also sponsor the annual ‘Welcome Back to School Celebration’ for our teachers, support staff and administrators of the district at the Mid-America Center and the STAR’s Scholarship Program funded by the Iowa West Foundation for adults returning to school to obtain a degree.
This current school year (2015-16) we have awarded 28 classroom grants totaling $20,014.86 serving 1,000’s of students in the district through our Teacher – Classroom Grant Application opportunity for teachers of the Council Bluffs Community School District. These classroom grant help student’s in the District to increase their academic achievement levels and lead to high school graduation. From the CEF perspective, we want to continue to build financial resources for our Classroom Grant programs and have a larger impact to provide additional classroom enhancements for our students. Our goal with the funding assistance is to help meet higher educational standards for mathematics proficiency, reading proficiency, STEM, and College Readiness.
This year the CEF also joined forces with the Council Bluffs Community School District and community leaders to raise capital funding for our District’s new Athletic Complex. The $16 million dollar project was a major task and the campaign was a phenomenal success. Once completed, the Athletic Complex will service as an icon for the Council Bluffs community. The CEF will continue to assist the School District with funds raised in the community. We want to see a community commitment in raising the educational bar for academic achievement. We believe strongly that education attainment will lead to the kind of academic achievement needed to raise the income bar for individuals and families in our community.”
Education is indeed an area deserving of the best, and although reflecting that with our actions is still a work in progress, it’s refreshing to know that there IS much progress being made. It is our fundamental job as members of the community to support efforts moving us forward in that area and to make sure the resources are readily available for students to take advantage of. In our local community, and statewide, we are lucky to have institutions, foundations and systems that greatly benefit the thinkers and doers of our generation who will have great influence on our society as a whole.