(LINCOLN Neb. March 18, 2004) - EducationQuest Foundation has named two new members to its Advisory Council – a group of 12 statewide education and community representatives who advise EducationQuest on programs and services that support its mission of improving access to higher education in Nebraska. They are John Kundel, Director of Admissions at the University of Nebraska-Kearney, and Bill Reno, Guidance Counselor at Alliance High School.

EducationQuest - a private, nonprofit organization headquartered in Lincoln - provides free college planning services at its locations in Kearney, Lincoln and Omaha; funds need-based scholarship programs; and provides community grants to organizations whose programs enhance college access.

Kundel and Reno will help EducationQuest identify obstacles to higher education; brainstorm and prioritize programs, services and needs; and serve on a scholarship or grant review committee.

Others serving on the Council are Jim Bovee, Clay Center High School; Karen Clark, Omaha South High School; Dora Groskopf, Gering High School; T.J. McDowell, Lighthouse, Inc., Lincoln; Tom Melecki, National Student Loan Program, Lincoln; Mike Mizner, Centura High School, Cairo; Vaughn Robertson, University of Nebraska-Lincoln; Rebecca Valdez, Chicano Awareness Center, Omaha; Doug Watson, Midland Lutheran College, Fremont; and Joan Zanders, Northeast Community College, Norfolk.

"John and Bill join a team of individuals who are on the front line when it comes to identifying higher education obstacles and challenges that Nebraska students face," said EducationQuest President Liz Fieselman. "Their input is invaluable when it comes to evaluating and expanding our programs."

EducationQuest Foundation is a private, nonprofit organization with a mission to improve access to higher education in Nebraska. Through a permanent endowment, EducationQuest provides free college planning services at its locations in Kearney, Lincoln and Omaha; funds need-based scholarship programs; and supports community organizations that enhance college access. For more information, call EducationQuest Foundation, headquartered in Lincoln, at 800-303-3745 or visit www.educationquest.org.