CRMEA July/August 2018
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IOWA BIG IS A<br />
WIN-WIN-WIN<br />
At Iowa BIG, the community is the classroom for high school<br />
students. Some days the classroom is in the middle of a cornfield<br />
collecting water samples for a water quality project. Other days, it’s<br />
presenting to the Linn County Board of Supervisors about individuals<br />
struggling with food insecurity. Iowa BIG is a partnership with area<br />
school districts that connects high school students with businesses to<br />
provide an experience-based learning environment.<br />
Third Avenue Pocket Park<br />
Amanda Zhorne and Laura Seyfer lead the charge at Iowa BIG. As<br />
Strategic Partnership Specialists, they work with community partners<br />
to bring students’ projects to fruition. The business community plays<br />
an important role in Iowa BIG’s success by creating projects for<br />
students to work on during the school year. The Economic Alliance is<br />
proud to partner with Iowa BIG and welcome Zhorne and Seyfer to<br />
our extended team as employees of our organization.<br />
MedQ Mile Walk<br />
BUSINESS SUPPORT<br />
Van Meter, Inc. has a history of partnering with Iowa BIG. CEO Lura<br />
McBride sees it as a win-win-win. “The students develop new skills<br />
and gain tremendous exposure to the community. Businesses are<br />
able to tap into the next generation of workforce and gain valuable<br />
insight,” said McBride. “It also gives our employees additional<br />
coaching and leadership opportunities.”<br />
Iowa BIG is an opportunity for the business community to engage and<br />
mold our future workforce. If you’d like to get involved as a project<br />
partner, mentor or more reach out to Amanda and Laura directly at<br />
azhorne@iowabig.com or lseyfer@iowabig.com.<br />
6 JULY/AUGUST <strong>2018</strong>
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