Bethel University Community Impact Report

Community Impact Report | 5 BETHEL UNIVERSITY BethelUniversity.edu COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS KEY TO FIELD SCHOLAR PROGRAM Elijah Dillenbeck, a freshman, works for Hoosier Crane in Elkhart, Ind., as part of the Field Scholar program.The business is just one local company that is partnering with Bethel University in this new, innovative program, which provides students a low- or no-debt path through Bethel. The connection between students and local employers is critical to making the Field Scholar program a successful one. “Before we launched the program,we had employers coming to the campus with an interest in interviewing our students and giving them opportunities to develop their skills at their businesses,” says Rosalind Ellis, director of the initiative. Bethel was selective with its community partners, just as they are selective about the students they choose for the program. “It’s important that students have a healthy work experience to walk into,” Ellis says.“We looked at work culture very closely.” Bethel did some recruiting of potential partners from BU alumni who own a business or who work for a company that is interested in developing employees fully. But that doesn’t mean the students must only take jobs in partner companies. LeAnna Giden, 18, and her brother Braylon Giden, 19, both work for Sonic restaurant, where they were already working when they began as Field Scholars. “Some of the students, because they’re already highly motivated people, come into the programwith jobs lined up that provide opportunity for advancement and a strong starting wage,” Ellis says.“But we’re always looking for more employers to come on board as partners.” Bethel’s goal is to match students with a job that will provide income and field experience relevant to their academic studies—while receiving enough compensation to help cover tuition costs. LeAnna says,“My boss supports me by providing enough people on my shift to enable me to do my homework.” Sonic helped informally with book costs as well, taking up a collection. In a different kind of partnership, Braylon took advantage of monthly alumni mentoring meetings offered through the Field Scholar program. “I wanted to learn how to study and use my time wisely while pursuing being a student-athlete,” he says. In their first meeting, his mentor shared the apps he’d found helpful as a college student for studying and time management. Scholars must also attend chapel and financial stewardship coaching sessions. “We are seeking students who have a clear vision of what they want to accomplish. Then we help them develop that vision,” Ellis says. For Dillenbeck, who is pursuing a five-year Pastoral Ministries degree, the idea of graduating without debt freed him. “This program is helping me to get ahead and to focus on preparation for ministry,” he says. About the Field Scholar Program The goal of the Field Scholar Program, funded, in part, by outside donors, is to prepare students to step into full-time employment right after graduation, equipped with both the work ethic and soft skills necessary to be a good employee. Visit BethelUniversity.edu/FieldScholar to learn more about how you can get involved in this program. BELOW: Members of Bethel's first Field Scholar class gather after a group mentoring session. By Michael Ehret and Susan E. Miller