Jones International University and the DCEF are pleased to partner with the Douglas County School District to offer exceptional scholarship opportunities that will allow individuals within DCSD to pursue educational advancement. The JIU/DCEF scholarship opportunity makes an exceptional education available at a time when education and life-long learning could not be more important.

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As a 2009 Apple Award Recipient, Kurt Stroman received a full scholarship to Jones International University® (JIU®). Kurt decided to use the scholarship to enhance his professional career and expand his personal knowledge base. In July of this year, Kurt was admitted and started classes in the JIU Doctorate in K-12 Education Leadership degree. 

A new venture can be scary.  After teaching for 18 years, Kurt found himself questioning the decision to go back to school - not to mention going back to school in an online environment. He wondered if he would have enough time to dedicate to his studies, knowing that a doctorate program can be quite rigorous. Kurt was pleasantly welcomed into his classes by his professors and fellow classmates, whom he found to have very similar busy schedules. He was able to bond with and find comfort in the similarities they shared. Kurt loves being able to work on his coursework at his convenience…attending a school that works with his busy life - crucial. He feels his classes have been very manageable. Kurt hopes that his doctorate degree from JIU will afford him the opportunity to work with and mentor new teachers in his district. He also feels that his educational leadership classes have really focused his thinking and have given his new ways to look at the application of educational theories.  Kurt hopes to use the skill sets he is building in the program in his own classroom, to benefit the students that he works with. 

To all of you out there who are thinking about applying for the DCEF/JIU Scholarship, Kurt is proof that it is a very manageable, practical option for educational and professional growth - even with a busy schedule. "It has been a great personal growth experience for me," he comments.

Kurt Stroman and wife, Tina at the 2009 Apple Awards

When Cece Marshall found out that DCEF was partnering with JIU to offer a scholarship, she didn't want to miss out on the chance to finish the degree she had started several years prior. Cece had contemplated going back to school before but the thought of being away from her family in the evenings and incurring huge student loan debt kept her from pursuing her dream. Cece's drive to learn and grow personally and professionally led her to apply for the DCEF/JIU Scholarship.

 
Cece was awarded a scholarship, and in June she started her Bachelor of Arts in Business Communication in Communication Management with JIU. She knew going into the program that there would be challenges. Would she be able to do the work? How would she find the time to finish coursework while balancing work, family and other life commitments on top of school? The knowledgeable support staff at JIU helped Cece overcome her initial fears. She was relieved to find the workload manageable, as she discovered that the coursework was actually designed with adult learners in mind. The flexibility of the courses, along with her dedication to time management has rewarded Cece with the opportunity to improve her life without giving up time with her family.  

Cece hopes to use the new skill sets she is acquiring to provide better support to the Douglas County School District. She will continue to grow her career within DCSD to the highest capacity possible.  Cece shares study time with her children. As a family, they are able to create a very positive learning environment for the children, while allowing them to experience the expectations of a college degree.

If you have been thinking about applying for a DCEF/JIU Scholarship, Cece encourages you to, "Go for it! The professors and staff are extremely helpful and supportive and the work is interesting, relevant and doable. JIU offers an all-around wonderful educational experience," she says.  

From left to right: Keira, Cece, Spencer, Annalise, Rich