Douglas County Educational Foundation teams up with cross county partner the Elizabeth Education Foundation

50% Scholarships for Teachers through Jones International University  

By Beth Shelly

   The program offering 50 percent scholarships to Elizabeth C-1 school district teachers to pursue their masters or doctorate degrees was kicked off on Thursday, Oct. 8 at Elizabeth high School. 

Several teachers were there to get information and enroll in the program that could save them thousands of dollars in educational expenses courtesy of Jones International University and a partnership between the Douglas County Educational Foundation (DCEF) and the Elizabeth Education Foundation (EEF).

 They have teamed up to extend 20 of the 50 percent scholarships to Jones International University (JIU), the first fully online institution in the U.S. to receive regional accreditation, to teachers within the Elizabeth School District (including Legacy Academy) who want to advance their careers as well as complete continuing education requirements.  

Jones International University students, including Elizabeth School District employees who participate in this scholarship opportunity, can work online to obtain academic degrees, including graduate or doctoral degree programs. Given the time constraints facing most working professionals today, having the ability to complete continuing education requirements in an online setting allows for maximum flexibility and convenience.

Elizabeth Education Foundation member Lisa Hughes said she is excited about the program. “It is the first time we have had a partnership like this. It gives us the opportunity to help our teachers be more effective in the classroom and at an affordable cost,” she said.

The Douglas County Educational foundation secured 120 scholarships from Jones International University last year and has transferred 20 of those to the Elizabeth school district through the Elizabeth Education Foundation.

 “Although this partnership started with the Douglas County School District, reaching across county lines to the Elizabeth Education Foundation and the Elizabeth school district was a simple and logical choice,” stated DCEF Executive Director Sean McGraw.  “More than 50 teachers and staff from Douglas County have enrolled and started classes through this fabulous opportunity that Jones International University has provided for our employees,” added McGraw.

 “It says a lot about Glenn Jones, who founded Jones International University,” McGraw said. “This is not a discount; he actually writes out a check for each of these scholarships.” Once approved, the scholarship extends to each course leading to an applicant’s advanced degree.

Interested candidates will need to visit the EEF website at www.elizabethef.org for more information and to complete a statement of interest.  Once the statement of interest has been approved, qualified applicants will be directed via email as to the next steps for the scholarship opportunity.

Please visit http://dc.jiu.edu for more information about the JIU/DCEF/EEF scholarship program.

On hand for the kick-off of the Jones International University scholarship program for Elizabeth teachers on Oct. 8 were, from left, Melissa Schwartz from Jones International University, Elizabeth Education Foundation board member Lisa Hughes, Elizabeth C-1 School District Chief Academic Officer Jim Trevino and Douglas County Educational Foundation Executive Director Sean McGraw.

Beth Shelly photo