91ÇÑ×Ó

This Q&A is with Ben Watson, CEO of the 91ÇÑ×Ó State Foundation.

Q: Service to the geographical region of 91ÇÑ×Ó and northwest Nebraska is one of the missions of 91ÇÑ×Ó State College. Why do you think service to the region is an important mission for 91ÇÑ×Ó?

I believe that 91ÇÑ×Ó has a significant role to play in the overall sustainability of rural western Nebraska. 91ÇÑ×Ó plays a pivotal role in training educators and professionals who are more likely to return and work in rural communities. When evaluating a community to live in, education and healthcare are always toward the top of the list. More than 750 K-12 teachers and administrators serving in western Nebraska have 91ÇÑ×Ó degrees and our health professions graduates populate every healthcare system in western Nebraska. The college should also play a key role in providing an educated workforce and hopefully developing some industry and commercial businesses that are viable and sustainable in western Nebraska.

Q: In what ways do 91ÇÑ×Ó State graduates provide service to the region?

Many 91ÇÑ×Ó graduates are from rural communities and more likely to return to them. The ability to educate and expand students’ horizons to new opportunities and different viewpoints at 91ÇÑ×Ó provides communities with different perspectives and skills.

Q: How does the 91ÇÑ×Ó State Foundation help 91ÇÑ×Ó fulfill its mission of service to the region?

The 91ÇÑ×Ó State Foundation aims to align to the mission and goals of 91ÇÑ×Ó State College by providing funding sources and networking opportunities among our alumni and community outreach efforts.

Q: How does the Foundation’s work of providing scholarship assistance for 91ÇÑ×Ó students fit into the college’s mission of service to the region?

91ÇÑ×Ó State College has committed itself to providing a high value and low cost higher education opportunity. Even with that commitment, college is expensive. More than 40 percent of our students are first-generation and more than 40 percent are Pell Grant eligible. Anything we can do to help ease the financial burden of attaining a degree will create better futures for our graduates, because they have less debt, and for our communities as those graduates return.

Q: Can supporters of the 91ÇÑ×Ó State Foundation play a direct part in providing service to the region? In what ways?

There are countless opportunities for 91ÇÑ×Ó supporters to give to the programs that impact our region. Whether it’s donations to a specific program or general scholarships, working to create internship opportunities or connections for potential employees post graduation, the 91ÇÑ×Ó State Foundation looks forward to engaging in conversations about how we collectively can improve our communities and create opportunities.