Veteran & Military Center

Thank you for your service, now we want to serve you.

At Iowa Lakes Community College, we highly value your contribution to keeping our nation free and safe. We know you, your family, and your friends have made tremendous sacrifices under your service to our country. Our Veteran & Military Centers are just one way to show our appreciation for our military students and veterans, we strive to be the very best at serving your needs and making you feel welcome at Iowa Lakes.

Veterans Center Director

Iowa Lakes Veterans Center Director Tim Ireland is a 38-year veteran serving in the United States Airforce (with five years as a Chief Master Sergeant), followed by the Iowa Air & Army National Guard. Tim also has a plethora of additional education and training including a:

B.A. in Industrial Technology from William Penn University
M.S. in Educational Leadership from Drake University
Non-Commissioned Officer Preparatory Course
Non-Commissioned Officer Academy
Senior Non-Commissioned Officer Academy
School Certifying Official training from the Veterans Administration.

In addition to his educational and military background, Ireland has many soft skills that make him an excellent asset to our Veterans Center. For example, he is perceptive to verbal and non-verbal cues and can listen without judgment. Additionally, he exhibits multicultural competence, establishes rapport, balances challenge and support with students, makes appropriate and effective referrals, collaborates effectively with colleagues and empowers students to develop educational and career-planning skills.

WHAT WE OFFER

Two Veterans Centers

We have over 1200 square feet of comfortable and welcoming space for you with new furniture, workstations, CAC-enabled computers, and, yes, free coffee.

School Certifying Officials

We have two school-certifying officials to ensure your VA Educational Benefits are handled quickly and efficiently.

Contact the Iowa Lakes Certifying Officials at veterans@iowalakes.edu.

veterans liaison - Tim Ireland

Tim Ireland is a veteran with over 39 years of service in both the Iowa Army National Guard and the Iowa Air National Guard. He finished his career as the Chief Boom Operator for the 185th Air Refueling Wing in Sioux City, Iowa. Tim has been deployed multiple times and has first-hand knowledge of what our service-members and their families experience. He is dedicated to providing you with the best possible service.

Mentor Program

We have seven veteran and military spouse mentors. They all have military experience and have volunteered to be friendly listeners who can come alongside you as you make the transition from military life and/or deal with Active, Guard, and Reserve obligations.

FREE Wellness Center Access

All military and veteran students and their dependents receive free use of our Wellness Center, located on the Emmetsburg Campus.

Partnership with Veteran Services Officers

Relationships with our local Veteran Service Officers are very important as you may have questions concerning education, disability, and other veteran benefits. These experts stand ready to help you personally, and they provide us with excellent materials and resources located in our Veteran Centers.

Priority enrollment & transfer of military education & training credits

You have the freedom to enroll as early as possible. We are dedicated to following the American Council on Education’s recommendations as much as possible for transferring and awarding credit you’ve earned while serving. Several vocational and technical programs will evaluate and honor your education, training, and experience.

**Iowa Lakes Community College will encourage eligible service members to communicate with an Educational Services Officer (ESO), or counselor within the military service before enrollment.

Giving priority service

We have policies and agreements to give priority service to our student veterans and military members. We are signatories to the “8 Keys to Veteran Success” and have been designated as a “CHAMP” (Certified Higher Education Military Partner) by the state of Iowa.