Dunwoody College and Wallin Education Partners announce scholarship aimed at ​helping students pursue a technical education.

New Aspire Scholarship will provide up to $8,000 over two years towards an Associate’s Degree

A new scholarship is paving the way for more college-ready students with financial need to pursue their dreams of earning a college degree.

Wallin Education Partners is proud to announce a new partnership that will open doors to a Dunwoody education and the great careers it provides.

Dunwoody and Wallin Education Partners have created the Aspire Scholarship, which includes financial support, on-going mentorship, and college-to-career guidance for students interested in pursuing a two-year technical degree at Dunwoody.  
“Collaboration is the most effective way to help lower-income, college-ready students earn a college degree and begin fulfilling careers,” said Susan Basil King, President and CEO of Wallin Education Partners. “Dunwoody is unique in its curriculum, internship program, and college-to-career support. Wallin is thrilled to be collaborating with Dunwoody to make a college degree possible for more students in our community.“

Applications for the scholarship will open on March 1 and can be accessed through the Wallin EP website. Students accepted into the scholarship program will receive up to $4,000 a year and will need to complete the application and acceptance process through the College.

During their time at Dunwoody, students will receive on-going support and mentorship as they navigate their college experience, as well as career placement support after they graduate.

“From construction to manufacturing, a Dunwoody degree opens the doors to great in-demand careers in high-paying fields,” said Dunwoody President Rich Wagner. “But for many students, a college education can be out of reach without additional scholarship support. We are grateful and excited for this new opportunity with Wallin Education Partners, who share our commitment to making college possible, and attainable.”

For more information about Dunwoody College and the Aspire Scholarship, visit wallinpartners.org/aspire or contact:

• Peggy Quam, Dunwoody College | 612-381-3067 | pquam@dunwoody.edu
• Samara Gaitan, Wallin Education Partners | 612-600-3436 | samara.gaitan@wallinpartners.org

The Aspire Scholarship is part of the Wallin Education Partners two-year pathway program.

Your support of Wallin Education Partners is essential and one reason that Wallin scholars continue to defy the odds. This year our scholars depend on us more than ever. I want to personally thank you for standing by us as we stand by our scholars. It is my privilege to provide an update on our program and scholars through our latest Annual Report. Simply stated, 2020 has reinforced my belief that there is nothing we cannot achieve if we work together.

Posted on December 15, 2020

Minneapolis, MN (November 9, 2020) --- Black Men Teach (BMT) and Wallin Education Partners announced a new partnership to increase the number of Black men who become teachers in our community. The organizations share a common commitment to expand educational opportunities for underrepresented students. Specifically, this partnership will allow each organization to leverage their expertise to support Black men who pursue a degree in Education and serve as teachers in our community.

BMT creates the environment necessary for Black male teachers to thrive and, through their presence, deliver improved educational success for all students, especially Black male students. BMT brings a network of partners including community-based organizations, teacher training programs, K-12 schools and supporters committed to its mission to recruit, prepare, place and retain Black male teachers in elementary schools. Through the execution of a six-year demonstration project, BMT will achieve a 20 percent threshold of Black male teachers within eight schools.

“Investing in Black male teachers makes a significant impact that extends beyond the classroom into our communities, said Rhoda Mhirpiri-Reed, chair, board of director, Black Men Teach and superintendent, Hopkins Public Schools. “We are grateful for the contributions Wallin Education Partners is making to help put more Black men in the classroom, and we look forward to the windows of opportunity this will open for the students they teach.”

“We are thrilled to be working with Black Men Teach and their innovative program to help identify and assist Black men to become teachers. For years research has indicated the positive benefit of teachers from diverse backgrounds represented in the classroom. Black Men Teach is one of the few organizations that I know of that is singularly committed to this effort,” said Susan Basil King, Executive Director, Wallin Education Partners.

BMT approached Wallin Education Partners to work collaboratively to help them achieve their goal. Both organizations recognize the urgent need in the Twin Cities community for more Black teachers, and both are committed to joining forces as they develop a successful new partnership.

​Wallin Education Partners supports nearly 1,200 low-income Minnesota residents who are enrolled in college in the upper Midwest and at HBCUs across the country. Each scholar receives four years of financial aid, individualized advising, a robust program to increase success and a network of professional and social connections. Wallin scholars, who are recruited through 56 high schools, have a six-year graduation rate over 90 percent.