Upper Iowa University, NICC education partnership with City of Manchester earns statewide recognition in
'All-Star Community Award'
FAYETTE, Iowa (October 17, 2012) – A collaborative effort has received state-wide recognition as the Iowa League of Cities recently honored the Manchester Regional Education Partnership (MREP) with the "All-Star Community Award." The partnership is a joint effort of Upper Iowa University and Northeast Iowa Community College with the city of Manchester. The educational center opened in 2011as part of Manchester's "Good to Great" initiative.
A special presentation of the award is slated for Thursday, October 18, at 6:00 p.m. at the MREP center located at 1200 ½ W. Main Street, Manchester, Iowa.
UIU worked with NICC and the city of Manchester to form the partnership last year after the city determined that offering post-secondary education opportunities was essential to its growth and vitality.
"UIU was honored to become part of this partnership," said UIU Acting President Richard Patrick. "This University was established 155 years ago by citizens who wanted the same growth and vitality for the community of Fayette by bringing the benefits of higher education close to home. The Manchester partnership is a continuation of that commitment to making higher education more accessible and more affordable."
The goal of MREP is to make quality education accessible to the greater Manchester area and provides services such as online credit courses for high school students and adult learners, non-credit training programs for local citizens and the business community, GED/ABE and ESOL classes and distance education programs offering undergraduate and graduate degrees. The facility also offers a state-of-the-art computer lab and a classroom for business training and credit classes. MREP's focus is to help students achieve their educational goals and to work with local businesses to expand, retain and grow.
About Upper Iowa University
Founded in 1857, Upper Iowa University is a private, not-for-profit university providing undergraduate and graduate degree programs and leadership development opportunities to about 6,200 students—nationally and internationally—at its Fayette campus and learning centers worldwide. Upper Iowa University is a recognized innovator in offering accredited, quality programs through flexible, multiple delivery systems, including online and independent study. For more information, visit www.uiu.edu.