College Access Champion Program Recognizes Those Who Go Above and Beyond

Madison, Wis. -- Great Lakes Higher Education Guaranty Corporation awarded 45 Wisconsin educators a total of $225,000 for providing critical support and encouragement to their students as they prepare for and pursue postsecondary education. The middle and high school educators serve in schools designated as low-income by the U.S. Department of Education and tirelessly work to promote college access for the success of their students and their community.

"Students leave my classroom knowing the importance of education now and in their future," said College Access Champion award-recipient Katie Colwell, a seventh grade science teacher in Wausau. "My students know that college is a privilege, and that they can all achieve their goals of going to college someday," said Katie. "I want them to love school and further their education by attending college so they, too, can become lifelong learners."

College Access Champion Blia Schwahn arrived in the U.S. at age 15 and didn't even know what college was. She graduated from high school and earned her college degree as an adult. She wished someone would have told her about the importance of a college education when she was in high school.

Now Blia works as a school/community liaison for North High School in Eau Claire, reaching out to low-income minority students and their parents about the value of college and what they can do to prepare. "I do what I do because of my own experiences, but also because I truly believe that all students have the potential to do great things. They just need someone to believe in them and to help point them in the right direction."

The College Access Champion Award recognizes Wisconsin educators who demonstrate a passion for helping students in low-income communities achieve their dreams of going to college. Each recipient receives up to $5,000 to be applied toward their own federal student loan debt. The award recognizes that many educators borrowed federal student loans to fund their own college education and rewards them for helping another generation of students make that journey. A full list of award recipients is available at mygreatlakes.org/collegeaccesschampion.

"The College Access Champion Award recognizes the importance of educational access for low-income and first generation students -- students who are the least likely to go to college," said Richard D. George, President and Chief Executive Officer of Great Lakes. "We want to honor those educators who not only help their students see the power of higher education, but give them the skills and encouragement to achieve it. Without a doubt, our College Access Champions are building better and brighter futures for their students and communities."

"I can't think of a more rewarding career," said award-recipient Steve Bergmann from Turtle Lake. "Teaching is a path I chose because of the opportunity I have to make a difference each and every day."

For more information about Great Lakes' outreach initiatives, contact Amy Kerwin at 608-246-1785.

About Great Lakes
Great Lakes Higher Education Corporation and Affiliates works with schools, lenders, and community organizations to change lives for the better through higher education. Great Lakes supports these partners with financial, educational, and operational resources that help students and families pay for college and build brighter futures. As a leading guarantor, originator, and servicer of student loans for over forty years, Great Lakes serves more than 2,700 schools and 1,400 lenders across the nation. One of the nation's largest integrated providers of student loan services, Great Lakes services student loans for more than two million borrowers and holds guarantees on nearly $51 billion in FFELP loans. Great Lakes member corporations serve as the designated guarantor for Minnesota, Ohio, South Dakota, Wisconsin, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands under the Higher Education Act. Great Lakes is headquartered in Madison, Wisconsin, with operating centers in South Dakota, Ohio, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. For additional information, visit mygreatlakes.org.

Posted 06/04/09 to www.NASFAA.org. Posting of press releases is done as a service to Members and does not imply endorsement or support by NASFAA. NASFAA does not review this information for content or accuracy.