ICAN Expands to Quad Cities, Opens Student Success Center
ICAN Expands to Quad Cities, Opens Student Success Center
St. Ambrose University partnership will expand career and college access for area students
DAVENPORT, IOWA – September 16, 2013 – The Iowa College Access Network (ICAN), a nonprofit organization that provides college and career readiness programs and financial literacy planning to Iowa students from middle school through college, has partnered with St. Ambrose University to open a new Student Success Center at the North Davenport Education Center in the Quad Cities. ICAN’s mission is to empower Iowans to achieve their educational and career goals through statewide comprehensive outreach, initiatives and partnerships with schools, groups and businesses.
“The Eastern Iowa Student Success Center is an important step in our goal of providing true statewide service to Iowa families,” said Rob Miller, executive director of ICAN. “This Student Success Center will provide “local” services across a nine-county radius encompassing 42 high schools and approximately 25,000 students. We are proud of the partnership we have created with St. Ambrose University and hope to increase the awareness of college access needs in the Quad Cities area, and across eastern Iowa, so more students are able to reach their full potential, achieve a college degree and attain a fulfilling career.”
The presence of ICAN within the Quad Cities has been made possible through the donation of space at St. Ambrose University’s North Davenport Education Center. “We are thrilled to be able to support this tremendous resource for our community on our campus,” said Julie Haack, director of financial aid at St. Ambrose University. “The college planning services they provide to our local students are a valuable asset when it comes to families who are preparing for the next steps in their child’s educational career or for the adult who has decided to continue their education. This is definitely a win/win situation!”
In the 2012-2013 academic year, ICAN assisted more than 450,000 students and parents statewide. By having this new ICAN Student Success Center in the Quad Cities, ICAN and St. Ambrose hope to assist even more individuals find a path to their future.
ICAN provides its services onsite at 99 percent of the state’s high schools. To bring this programming directly to students, parents, and schools statewide, ICAN works with a variety of business and industry partners, colleges and universities, and financial institutions to enable print, digital, and in-person services to be delivered.
“Pleasant Valley believes ICAN is a very valuable resource for our students. Having an office in the Quad Cities will allow for more access for our students and parents to contact ICAN with questions,” said Linda Noble, counselor at Pleasant Valley High School in Bettendorf. “We have been very pleased over the years with the quality of presenters for our programs. Our parents and students have appreciated the information. While we as counselors can provide this information, hearing if from a professional organization adds more credibility.”
The new ICAN location is now offering one-on-one high school, college planning and financial aid appointments. All ICAN services are provided at no cost to students, parents, or participating schools.
“I’m so excited to know that ICAN is now in the Quad Cities Area so I can send parents there to get help and information when needed!” said Stephanie Exkhardt, counselor at Davenport West High School. “ICAN are the experts in college planning and financial aid information. They are always friendly and always just a phone call away when I have questions.”
An open house celebration will be held September 24 to coordinate with the beginning of the new academic year. The Davenport ICAN office is located at 1950 East 54th Street (within the St. Ambrose University North Davenport Education Center). For more information or to schedule an appointment, call (877) 272-4692 or visit www.ICANsucceed.org/davenport
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About ICAN
The Iowa College Access Network is a nonprofit, educational organization. ICAN is the College Access Network for Iowa, and a member of the National College Access Network (NCAN). ICAN has eight locations in Cedar Rapids, Council Bluffs, Davenport, Des Moines, Orange City, Ottumwa, Sioux City and Waterloo, which provide information and support to students and their families as they plan their postsecondary education and apply for financial aid. All ICAN programs and services are provided without charge. For more information about ICAN, call (877) 272-4692 or visit www.ICANsucceed.org.
