Questa Foundation Announces Partnership with Indiana Wesleyan University-Marion

Questa Education Foundation is excited to announce a new partnership with Indiana Wesleyan University-Marion. Questa scholars who attend and graduate from a partner school will receive 25% in loan forgiveness on their Questa loan, in addition to 50% forgiveness if the student lives and works in Northeast Indiana for five years after graduation. In total, a scholar’s Questa loan can be up to 75% forgiven. This new partnership and forgiveness benefit will apply to new Questa Scholars starting college in fall 2021.

Indiana Wesleyan University is excited to partner with Questa Education Foundation as they help individuals from Northeast Indiana explore college options and assist with the investment of a college degree,” said Chad Peters, Vice President for Enrollment at Indiana Wesleyan University. “We have decided to invest loan forgiveness funding directly from IWU in addition to other sources of financial aid that will complement the funding committed by Questa Education Foundation.  Our hope is that this will allow more students from this part of the state to earn their degree from IWU.”

IWU-Marion is joining another 10 universities that partner with Questa, including Grace College, Huntington University, Indiana Tech, Indiana University Fort Wayne, Indiana Wesleyan University – National/Global, Ivy Tech Community College, Manchester University, Purdue University Fort Wayne, Trine University and University of Saint Francis.

“We are excited to launch this partnership with Indiana Wesleyan University,” said Elizabeth Bushnell, executive director of Questa Education Foundation.  “Adding the IWU Marion campus as a partner school gives Northeast Indiana students more options for maximum debt forgiveness and supports our efforts to expand and serve more students from the region.”

Questa has served over 1,000 scholars and continues to increase the number of scholars each year thanks to generous donors and community support. New partnerships help Questa continue this expansion to strengthen the pool of newly skilled graduates who help meet the workforce needs of the region.

Questa’s Traditional application opens on December 1 through March 15. The Contemporary Scholars program and other specialized program applications are open year-round. For more information and how to apply, visit www.questafoundation.org.

About Indiana Wesleyan University: Indiana Wesleyan University is celebrating 100 years as a Christian, global, comprehensive university providing liberal arts and professional education to approximately 14,000 students worldwide. IWU is one of the largest faith-based universities in America with rich undergraduate, graduate, masters and doctoral programs in such highly acclaimed academic units as the School of Nursing, School of Physical and Applied Sciences, College of Adult and Professional Studies, and School of Arts and Humanities.  An early leader in adult and online education, IWU is known for excellence in innovation. For more information, visit indwes.edu.

About Questa Foundation: Since 1937, Questa Education Foundation has been helping individuals access post-secondary education, graduate with less debt, and become contributing members of Northeast Indiana’s workforce.

Questa Foundation & Anderson University: A New Partnership

Questa Education Foundation is excited to announce a new partnership with Anderson University. Questa scholars who attend and graduate from Anderson will now receive 25% in loan forgiveness on their Questa loan, in addition to 50% forgiveness if the student lives and works in Northeast Indiana for five years after graduation. In total, a scholar’s Questa loan can be up to 75% forgiven. This new partnership and forgiveness benefit will apply to new Questa Scholars starting at Anderson University in fall 2021.

“This is an exciting opportunity not only for our students, but for us as a university,” said Anderson University President, John Pistole. “A college education is an investment and we are always seeking the opportunity to put a college career within reach.”

Anderson is joining another 10 universities that currently partner with Questa, including Grace College, Huntington University, Indiana Tech, Indiana University Fort Wayne, Indiana Wesleyan University, Ivy Tech Community College, Manchester University, Purdue University Fort Wayne, Trine University and University of Saint Francis.

“We are excited to launch this partnership with Anderson University,” said Elizabeth Bushnell, executive director of Questa Education Foundation.  “Adding Anderson as a partner school gives Northeast Indiana students more options for maximum debt forgiveness and supports our efforts to expand and serve more students from the region.”

Questa has served over 1,000 scholars and continues to increase the number of scholars each year thanks to generous donors and community support. New partnerships help Questa continue this expansion to strengthen the pool of newly skilled graduates who help meet the workforce needs of the region.

Questa’s Traditional application opens on December 1 through March 15. The Contemporary Scholars program and other specialized program applications are open year-round. For more information and how to apply, visit www.questafoundation.org.

About Anderson University: Anderson University is on a mission to educate students for lives of faith and service, offering more than 60 undergraduate majors, 30 three-year degrees, 20 NCAA Division III intercollegiate sports, alongside adult and graduate programs. The private, liberal arts institution is fully accredited and recognized among top colleges for its business, computer science, cybersecurity, dance, engineering, nursing and teacher education programs. Anderson University was established in 1917 in Anderson, Indiana, by the Church of God.

About Questa Foundation: Since 1937, Questa Education Foundation has been helping individuals access post-secondary education, graduate with less debt, and become contributing members of Northeast Indiana’s workforce.

Learning is Lifelong: Shenita Bolton Shares the Work of FWCS K-12 College & Career Readiness Programming

A pivotal moment for students is the question, “Will I go to college or not?” and many are asking themselves this question earlier and earlier – even in elementary school. How do we prepare our students for this next step? Shenita Bolton, a member of Questa’s Board of Directors and the Manager of K-12 College and Career Readiness with Fort Wayne Community Schools (FWCS), believes that students should be set up for success in high school for what lies beyond. Whether that’s college or another path, students should have the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed. The FWCS K-12 College and Career Readiness Office (CCR) works to instill in all students the belief that they can go to college and pursue their college goals. While attending college may not be the goal for all students, the CCR Office promotes a college-going culture and works to ensure students have the knowledge, skills, and abilities to succeed after high school.

Hillary Troup, Questa’s Scholar & Marketing Specialist, had an opportunity to talk about the CCR’s programming and Shenita’s beliefs about lifelong learning.

What is the importance of students pursuing post-secondary education?

I am a strong believer that individuals should be lifelong learners. Learning never stops. To position themselves to be successful financially and make further contributions to their community – and family at large – it is important for students to expand their knowledge base.

Students change their interests numerous times throughout their K-12 education and may change their major several times. Post-secondary allows them to explore their particular interest and determine what is best for them. They will have opportunities to grow mentally and to expand their knowledge base and grow in the academic field. The CCR department does our best to help students explore those interests so they know the right path after graduation.

As the Manager of College and Career Readiness, how do you prepare students for the next step after high school?

My team and I work with K-12 students, making sure they have the knowledge and skills to succeed in post-secondary education. We offer a wide variety of activities for our students including workshops, classes, job shadowing, internships, college visits, and anything related to career readiness. FWCS also offers college and career prep programs, college visit programs, SAT/ACT prep, internship and job shadowing, parent workshops and more.

How does your experience guide you in this role?

Before I came to FWCS I worked in higher education for 20 years. In my previous position, I was the Director of Admissions at Earlham College in Richmond, Indiana, so I have a different lens for my current role. I know what is expected in higher education and what is expected from the student.

When was the College & Career Readiness (CCR) department established?

The CCR department started in 2016 with only two staff members but has grown in the past four years to a team of 11. Since we work with K-12 grades, some team members are assigned to specific schools, while others work with all schools in the district. Other programs are specific to middle school and high school. Our first class that we’ve worked with for the past four years graduated this year, and we are excited to see where the next chapter of their lives takes them.

What are a few opportunities you have for the students this month?

During the month of September, we are celebrating College GO! Week and National GEAR UP Week. Both celebrations will be held September 21 – 25 this year. Some activities we will do with our students this week include virtual college tours, creating a college plan, learn how to pay for college, preparing for your career, Learn More Indiana lessons, prizes and more.

How has COVID-19 affected your team in engaging your students?

The pandemic has hindered college and career visits, but we have adapted by moving toward virtual spaces for students to learn. We have a coding workshop coming up on October for middle school students that will be online and an elementary engineering camp online with Science Central. We are working through it.

Why do you believe in Questa and chose to be on its board of directors?

Being a part of the Questa Foundation feels like a no-brainer. I am working in K-12 college education and working to ensure that students are going right to college or to the workforce, but also to help guide them to scholarship opportunities and how to pay for college. For me Questa is aligned exactly with what my day to day work is. I want to give students as many opportunities and as much awareness as possible to graduate from college with little to no debt, and meet the needs of students who often may not be able to go to college because of the cost.

Shenita Bolton, Manager of K-12 College and Career Readiness with FWCS

The FWCS K-12 College and Career Readiness Office is located at the Family and Community Engagement Center at 230 E. Douglass Avenue in Fort Wayne, IN and is open 8:00 am – 5:00 pm. To learn more, visit https://www.fwcs.k12.in.us/college-and-career-readiness or contact Shenita Bolton at 260-467-7257 or Shenita.bolton@fwcs.k12.in.us.

The Present & Future Faces of Education

We asked one thing of our scholars currently studying education and graduates who are now teachers, “Has COVID-19 made you decide to change your career path?” Many educators and schools are facing challenges connecting with students due to the restrictions enforced from the pandemic. How will we teach virtually? How can we keep students engaged? The good news is we have excellent Questa Scholars who are passionate about the students in our region and do their best every day to teach in unique ways. 

“I have changed my classroom the most because of COVID-19, but if anything, it’s improved my teaching! I want to make an impact on students’ lives by showing them the joy of learning, patience when things don’t go as planned, and kindness in all situations…” Christina Coats, Class of 2019 

“COVID-19 definitely made me take a step back and evaluate…but at the end of the day, my desire is to educate children well and believe, equip, and inspire each one of them as they begin their journey into the world on their own,” Haydn Faur, Class of 2021 

“Covid-19 has never made me consider changing careers. I love to help people! I look forward to facing several challenges so I can become a stronger educator for my students and for our future,” Faith Kamp, Class of 2024 

Creative, patient, kind and resilient; these are the faces of our current and future teachers. 

Nichole Winans

Abby Sheehan

Sarah Schmucker

Rachel Platt

Michayle Rasbaugh

Andrew Halferty

Ayn-Margaret Schaekel

Lori Hoese

Faith Kamp

Haydn Faur

Breana Green

Emily Stetka

Christina Coats

Questa & AWS Foundation Meet a Talent Need for Special Ed Teachers

Questa and AWS Foundation Offer Fully Forgivable Loans for Teachers Pursuing Special Education License

Before the outbreak of COVID-19 rocked our world, special education teachers were in high demand. As traditional teaching methods are drastically changing due to the pandemic, our region needs specialized teachers now more than ever. Questa Education Foundation and AWS Foundation are partnering to meet this need, offering fully forgivable loans to individuals pursuing their special education licensure, provided they work in Northeast Indiana public schools in special education for five years after receiving their license.

Since beginning this partnership in 2019, twenty-five Questa Scholars have been accepted to the program, and the first three graduates received their special education licenses this year. All of these graduates are teaching in special education classrooms in the Northeast Indiana region.

One Questa Scholar in the program is currently pursuing her special education licensure with a focus on moderate and intense interventions.

"It was not my intention to teach special education, but I was offered a position in a life skills special education class and I began to love teaching these kids. I knew this school year would be crazy, but it's a blessing to be back in school and in-person with my students," says Sarah Schmucker.

Sarah Schmucker, Questa Scholar and life skills teacher at Fairfield Community Schools

Schmucker currently teaches in Fairfield Community Schools in Elkhart County and will graduate in 2021 with her special education license.

Scholars are eligible to receive up to $5,000 a year toward earning their licensure. Renewed funding support from AWS Foundation serves a critical need.

“The shortage of special education teachers creates an urgent need to support students pursuing this field,” said Elizabeth Bushnell, executive director of Questa Education Foundation. “AWS Foundation has the vision and commitment to provide funding that helps us accelerate the licensure of special education teachers in our schools.” 

“We celebrate the talent and passion of special education teachers and recognize the pivotal role they play in preparing students with disabilities for full and meaningful lives,” said Patti Hays, CEO of AWS Foundation. “The cost of certification should not be a barrier for ensuring qualified special education teachers in our public schools.”

Many Questa Scholars pursuing education are optimistic about getting back in the classroom despite the pandemic and are excited to be back with their students this year.

Nicole Winans, Questa Scholar, currently teaching at New Haven High School

“I want to improve our education system, better our schools, and impact the lives of countless individuals. Because of the Questa program, I was able to earn my bachelor’s degree debt-free,” Nicole Winans, Questa Scholar.

Students currently pursuing their special education licensure can apply for funding support at https://www.questafoundation.org/programs-overview.

About Questa Foundation: Since 1937, Questa Education Foundation has been helping individuals access post-secondary education, graduate with less debt, and become contributing members of Northeast Indiana’s workforce.