(LINCOLN Neb. March 13, 2003) - EducationQuest Foundation has named three new members to its Advisory Council - a group of statewide education and community representatives who help advise the foundation on its scholarship programs, community grants program and college planning services. They are T.J. McDowell, Executive Director of Lighthouse, Inc. in Lincoln; Rebecca Valdez, Executive Director of the Chicano Awareness Center in Omaha; and Doug Watson, interim Vice-President for Enrollment Management at Midland Lutheran College in Fremont.

McDowell, Valdez and Watson join eight other council members. They will help the council identify obstacles Nebraska students face to higher education, provide input on new EducationQuest programs and services, evaluate current programs and services, and share their expertise.

Other Advisory Council members are Jim Bovee, Executive Director, Nebraska Boys Ranch in Alliance; Karen Clark, Guidance Counselor, Omaha South High School; Dora Groskopf, Assistant Principal, Gering High School; Tom Melecki, Vice-President of Policy, Research and Planning, National Student Loan Program in Lincoln; Mike Mizner, Guidance Counselor, Centura High School near Cairo; Tammi Preston, Outreach Manager, EducationQuest Foundation in Lincoln; Vaughn Robertson, Assistant Director, Educational Talent Search, University of Nebraska-Lincoln; and Joan Zanders, Financial Aid Director, Northeast Community College in Norfolk.

"T.J., Rebecca and Doug 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 the EducationQuest Hotline at 800-666-3721 or visit www.EducationQuest.org.