Celebrating 20 Years of Impact: The Marshalltown Education Partnership’s Milestone Anniversary in 2025

T-R PHOTO BY ROBERT MAHARRY
From left to right, Marshalltown Community School District Communications Director Abby Koch, Marshalltown Education Partnership Coordinator Karina Hernandez, and MEP Board Chairman Terry Buzbee share a moment inside the BJ Harrison Library on the MCC campus, celebrating the 20th anniversary of the MEP.

In the early 2000s, Terry Buzbee, then CEO of Emerson, saw a shift in Marshalltown’s population. He realized the area needed a strong workforce for the future. Inspired by a successful scholarship program in San Antonio, he and community leaders decided to create something similar in Marshalltown.

After thorough planning, the Marshalltown Education Partnership (MEP) was born in 2005. A $270,000 fundraising effort led by companies like Emerson and the Martha-Ellen Tye Foundation helped kick off the program. The goal was simple: help first-generation college students from Marshalltown High School (MHS) attend Marshalltown Community College (MCC) by covering half their tuition, provided they met specific criteria like maintaining a 2.75 GPA and showing financial need.

Now, 20 years later, over $1 million in scholarships have been awarded to 317 students, with 222 of them successfully graduating. The program has influenced nearly 5,000 students in various capacities. Karina Hernandez, who coordinates the MEP now, knows firsthand the challenges these students face. As a first-generation college graduate herself, she understands what it’s like to navigate the path to higher education.

Hernandez emphasizes that the MEP is about more than just scholarships. She works closely with students from their freshman year, guiding them through career exploration, building resumes, and preparing for job opportunities. “We start meeting when they are freshmen and continue throughout high school,” she said. “It’s about teaching them skills that prepare them for their future.”

She encourages students to visit colleges and local employers to broaden their horizons. Many first-generation students lack confidence in their abilities. Hernandez works to change that perception, showing them various paths to success. “Sometimes they might think, ‘I’ll just take a basic job,’ but I want to show them they can aim higher,” she explained.

In the beginning, some parents were wary of the program, concerned about hidden costs or strings attached. Over time, the MEP has built strong community trust. Abby Koch, the school district’s communications director, noted that the program aligns well with the district’s mission, helping students envision and pursue their future paths.

Buzbee added that the program aims to create a seamless transition from high school to college, focusing on encouraging first-generation students to come back to work in Marshalltown. He pointed out the need for skilled workers in local industries like manufacturing and technology. Many plants in town need more employees with specific skill sets like welding or machining.

To further support students, the district has invested in Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs. This aligns with the MEP’s mission of building a talented local workforce. Success stories from MEP participants include Melisa Fonseca, a current city councilor, and a former student who became an engineer after starting as a draftsman.

As the MEP celebrates its 20th anniversary, leaders have set a goal to raise an additional $1 million to support the program’s future. Major contributions are coming in from different organizations, but they hope more local businesses will join in. Individuals can also contribute through community foundations or payroll deductions.

For more information about the Marshalltown Education Partnership, visit this link.