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 Dear Friends and Colleagues,
It is with gratitude for the opportunity to lead that I am announcing my departure from Wallin Education Partners this fall. I joined Wallin in the summer of 2013 and over the past decade I have been privileged to lead a wonderful organization through a time of challenge and opportunity. Our community of scholars, trustees, donors, and staff came together to create opportunities for students from low-income backgrounds to succeed in college. This has been an amazing and rewarding experience for all of us. My own efforts have been enhanced by the talent that surrounds me and I am grateful to many who helped me be an effective leader. The need for our program that focuses on student success and equity in our community has never been more important, and Wallin Education Partners is ready to expand its impact. We are excited about our goal to double the number of students we serve and create a truly exceptional experience that each and every scholar deserves. The board of trustees has hired the firm of Cohen Taylor to assist in the search for the next leader for Wallin. The process will begin this month and I am confident that Wallin Education Partners future is very, very bright. Finally, thank you for your support, advocacy and friendship – I have wonderful memories that I will cherish for a lifetime. Susan Basil King, EdD President & CEO “As I reflect on Susan’s leadership, we are incredibly grateful for what she has achieved. Susan’s steady and innovative leadership during the past ten years has positioned Wallin for even greater success in the future. In 2013 Wallin awarded scholarships to 117 students, this year we will award scholarships to over 515. The continued graduation rates of four-year scholars (90%) make Wallin one of the most effective scholarships in the country. Collaborating with key donors, Susan directed the expansion of programs in Austin, Granite Falls, and Owatonna. She created new pathways to meet the needs of students and employers including community college students, career specific scholarships in health care and construction, and a new initiative to create a pipeline for students attending HBCUs. On behalf of our Wallin trustees, staff and our entire community, thank you, Susan for your remarkable leadership, and the tremendous, long-lasting impact you have had on our community.” Katie Lawler Chair, Board of Trustee  BLOOMINGTON, Minn. – (Mar. 15, 2023) HealthPartners and Wallin Education Partners today announced the launch of the HealthPartners Pathway, a college-to-career scholarship that provides students with financial aid, ongoing support and a path to a full-time job.
The HealthPartners Pathway is designed to serve high school seniors pursuing a two-year degree from a partner college who intend to seek a full-time position with HealthPartners upon graduation. Twenty HealthPartners Scholars will receive up to $6,000 over two years in financial aid, individualized advising and expanded access to career experiences. Students have the opportunity to work part-time at HealthPartners while in college and receive a full-time paid internship. “HealthPartners and Wallin Education Partners are teaming for this innovative and career-focused path that supports an incredible pool of talented young adults and showcases careers in health care,” Toweya Brown-Ochs, the HealthPartners director of diversity, equity and inclusion, said. “This is a great opportunity for students interested in health care and as organizations find new ways to address workforce shortages.” Students must graduate from a Twin Cities partner high school with a minimum 2.0 grade-point average, demonstrate financial need, plan to start college full time in fall 2023 with a degree in the health care field and be interested in working at HealthPartners. “We are very excited to partner with a great organization like HealthPartners to create a unique scholarship to meet the growing and urgent need for skilled, diverse individuals who will enter careers in health care,” Susan Basil King, EdD, president and CEO of Wallin Education Partners, said. “We are confident that this unique scholarship, with essential support and early access to potential employment, will be transformative for HealthPartners, students and our community.”  MINNEAPOLIS – (Jan. 24, 2023) – Wallin Education Partners (Wallin) and Mortenson today announced the new Mortenson Scholarship for students pursuing a career in construction through Dunwoody College of Technology in Minneapolis. The scholarship is designed to support students from low-income backgrounds in the Twin Cities area and creates a specific pathway leading to a full-time position at Mortenson upon graduation.
“Partnering with a highly respected company like Mortenson that shares our belief in equal access to education will provide students with a unique opportunity to prepare for a career in construction - a fast growing and dynamic industry,” said Susan Basil King, President and CEO at Wallin Education Partners. “We believe this scholarship will open doors for many underrepresented students in our community that will lead to a unique degree and a family-sustaining career.” The Mortenson Scholars program will award up to $30,000 towards a two-year program to five selected students starting college full-time in Fall 2023 at Dunwoody and who are pursuing a degree in Construction Project Management or Architectural Drafting & Design. The Mortenson Scholarship combined with federal and state aid is anticipated to cover 100 percent of tuition and fees. Mortenson Scholars will also work part-time at Mortenson while pursuing their degree and will engage in a full-time paid internship at Mortenson between their first and second year of college. Mortenson team members will provide mentorship and support throughout the program, which will be a pathway towards becoming a full-time team member of Mortenson upon graduation from Dunwoody. “Construction is an exciting and dynamic career field that will only continue to thrive,” said Mark Sherry, executive vice president at Mortenson and a Dunwoody alumnus and Board of Trustees member. “It’s our job to show the next generation they can find a career in an industry that is not only ready for them, but is also aligned with their passions, talents, and desires for a fulfilling professional future. Our goal is for this pathway to open those doors to long-lasting opportunities.” “Dunwoody is proud to partner with Mortenson and Wallin on this meaningful initiative, which will help provide more students with a pathway to both a degree and a career in the high-demand construction field,” said Dunwoody President Rich Wagner, Ph.D. “We are committed to helping students from underserved and under-represented backgrounds access a brighter future through a Dunwoody education and partnerships like this help move the dial on closing the opportunity and the skills gaps.” |
