LIFE AS A LAKER Blog
Blog: How Community Colleges Fuel Rural Economic Growth: Building Stronger Communities Through Education
Thriving rural communities need more than businesses—they need educated workers, strong partnerships, and opportunities that encourage people to live, work, and build their futures close to...
Blog: The Value of Hands-On Learning: Why Experience Matters in College and Career Success
Reading about a skill is one thing. Practicing it is another. Whether it's caring for a patient, welding a joint, repairing an engine, piloting an aircraft, analyzing soil samples, or...
Blog: Iowa Lakes Men’s Soccer Ready for ICCAC Play
The Iowa Lakes Men’s Soccer team is back on the pitch and ready to take on the challenges ahead as they work to live up to...
Blog: Career Academies in Iowa: How High School Students Prepare for College and Careers
Career exploration doesn't begin after high school—it begins while students are still discovering their interests, strengths, and future possibilities. Career Academies are changing the way Iowa students prepare for...
Blog: 5 Skills Every Employer Wants—and How Students Can Build Them at Iowa Lakes
A college degree can open doors. But what helps graduates succeed once those doors open? According to national employer surveys, it's often the professional skills students develop alongside...
Blog: Is College Worth It? Let’s Look at the Numbers
"Is college worth it?" It's one of the most common—and most important—questions students and parents ask. With rising tuition costs, evolving workforce needs, and more educational pathways...
Blog: Why Career Exploration Starts Earlier Than You Think
Ask a group of high school students what they want to do after graduation, and you'll likely hear a variety of answers—some confident, some uncertain, and many still exploring their options. ...
Blog: What Parents Need to Know About Concurrent Enrollment
As a parent, you want your child to graduate from high school with confidence, direction, and opportunities. One of the best ways to help make that...
Blog: Construction Technology Student Gains Valuable Experience with Longtime Iowa Lakes Industry Partner
When Blake Thom of Comfrey, Minnesota, accepted an internship with Blue Ribbon Builders in Big Sky, Montana, he knew he would be stepping into a valuable...
Blog: Why More Iowa Students Are Choosing Community College First
For generations, the expectation was simple: graduate from high school and head straight to a four-year university. While that path is still the right choice for...
From Campus Broadcasts to the Corner Office: Iowa Lakes Alumna Leads KTIV Television
For Bridget Breen, the path to leading one of the region's premier television stations began in the studios of Iowa Lakes. Today, Breen serves as Vice...
Blog: Why On-the-Job Training Matters: Learning Beyond the Classroom
The classroom is where future diesel technicians build their knowledge. On-the-job training is where that knowledge comes to life. Every Farm Equipment & Diesel Technology student...
Meet the Aviation Alumni: From Student Pilot to Professional Charter Pilot
After graduating from Iowa Lakes Community College in the summer of 2024, Brett Schouten, an Aviation & Airport Management alumnus, has already launched an exciting career...
Meet the Aviation Alumni: Logan Abrahamson
Logan Abrahamson graduated from Iowa Lakes in 2020 and is now a First Officer with Southwest Airlines. Logan says the Iowa Lakes Aviation & Airport Management...
Meet the Aviation Alumni: Wyatt Brink
Wyatt Brink completed the Iowa Lakes Aviation & Airport Management program in 2023, earning his Instrument and Commercial ratings. Today, he flies the KC-135 with the...
Stepping Into the Student Role: Teacher Gains New Perspective Through Iowa Lakes Nursing Externship
Before the first bell rings each fall, teachers spend countless hours preparing classrooms, organizing lesson plans, and getting ready to welcome a new group of students....
Meet the Aviation Alumni – Levi Rus
For Levi Rus, earning his degree from the Iowa Lakes Aviation & Airport Management program was the beginning of an exciting career in corporate aviation. After...
Aviation Alumni Spotlight: Jacob Doran
Jacob Doran, a 2021 graduate of Iowa Lakes, is now a Pilot/First Officer with Sun Country Airlines. He credits the Iowa Lakes Aviation program's flexibility as...
Meet the Aviation Alumni: Andrew Tran
For Andrew Tran, choosing the Iowa Lakes Aviation & Airport Management program was the first step toward a successful career in the skies. After graduating in...
Exploring Passions, Building Futures: Mikalah Konz’s Iowa Lakes Story
When Iowa Lakes Community College student-athlete Mikalah Konz first began exploring colleges, she wasn’t entirely sure what she wanted in a school. That changed the moment...
Craftsmanship, Connection and Opportunity: A Hands-On Experience with Gary Striegler
Some of the most meaningful learning experiences do not start in a classroom. They start with a conversation. A few years ago, during a Sashco Trade...
Building Community, One Conversation at a Time
For many students, college is about more than classes, assignments, and schedules. It is about finding a place where they feel welcomed, supported, and connected. That...
It’s Never Too Late: Ray Jorgensen’s HSED Journey
When Ray Jorgensen walked across the stage to receive his High School Equivalency Diploma (HSED), it marked far more than the completion of a program. It...
Hands-On Learning, Lasting Impact
At Iowa Lakes Community College, the work happening in the classroom often reaches far beyond it. It shows up in the communities we serve, in the...
Questions? Let's Talk
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Annie Kalous Director of Admissions 712-852-5254 | akalous@iowalakes.edu Emmetsburg Campus |
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Tim Soper Admissions & Event Planning Specialist 712-362-7945 | tsoper@iowalakes.edu Estherville Campus |
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Julie Dunlap Admissions Office Specialist 712-852-5212 | jadunlap@iowalakes.edu Emmetsburg Campus |