|
BISMARCK–September 8, 2008–Bank of North Dakota (BND) and Student Loans of North Dakota (SLND) have
signed a three year contract with Xap Corporation and Bridges Transitions,
a provider of career and educational planning solutions. Through this agreement,
every North Dakota middle school and high school will be provided access
to Bridges Guidance Central, a software program with career exploration,
education planning and test preparation tools. Tools sponsored by BND and
SLND include testGEAR for ACT, Choices Planner and Choices Explorer. Students
and their parents can access information online from anywhere.
BND and SLND first began sponsoring Bridges Guidance Central products in 2005. For the last three years schools have received access to Choices Planner and testGEAR for ACT; which are geared toward high school students. Choices Explorer, a product designed for middle school students, will also now be available.
"This is a valuable investment in North Dakota’s future and illustrates Bank of North Dakota’s commitment to North Dakota's education system," said BND President Eric Hardmeyer. "By enhancing our partnership with North Dakota schools, we provide teachers and counselors with important education tools.”
In addition to state-wide product distribution, this sponsorship agreement also includes training for North Dakota’s education professionals who work directly with students. “Encouraging students to explore their interests fosters personal growth and satisfaction. Connecting those interests to school classes and careers helps students to be more engaged in the class room, earn higher grades and be better prepared for higher education,” said Julie Kubisiak, Director of SLND. “We are thrilled at the prospect of broadening access to career and college planning among North Dakota students, and look forward to seeing the continued positive results."
Bank of North Dakota was established in 1919 and is the only state-owned
bank in the United States. The nation’s first federally insured student
loan was made by BND in 1967. Student Loans of North Dakota is administered
by BND and offers a variety of loan programs to help students and parents
finance a college education.
###
|
