Iowa Lakes Cosmetology Program featured at April Board Meeting

(Emmetsburg, Iowa) The Iowa Lakes Board of Trustees gathered in Emmetsburg Tuesday afternoon for their regularly scheduled board meeting. Tuesday’s meeting kicked off the annual Iowa Lakes Board of Trustees traveling tour, where board meetings are held at each of the five campuses of Iowa Lakes Community College throughout the spring and summer months.

During Tuesday’s meeting, the trustees had the opportunity to tour and learn about the Cosmetology program on the Emmetsburg Campus.

Tom Brotherton, Executive Dean of the Emmetsburg Campus, introduced Laurie Pearson, Cosmetology Program Coordinator and Instructor, and Kendra Webb, Cosmetology Instructor, who highlighted the Cosmetology Program.

Cosmetology is a new program that started with its inaugural class of students in January 2021. The Cosmetology program provides real, hands-on training within the full-service Laker Salon on College Drive.

“Starting the new Cosmetology program at Iowa Lakes has been filled with so much excitement and has been a rewarding and challenging experience. The support provided by the faculty and staff at Iowa Lakes has been amazing, and our first class of students is so eager to learn, explore and grow. We have a top-notch program and are looking forward to the future,” said Pearson.

Pearson also shared, “The Cosmetology program at Iowa Lakes provides students with the opportunity to earn an Associate in Applied Science degree while preparing for licensure. Through our two-year program, students take on more advanced techniques and build not only real-world skills but the confidence to succeed in their career.”

Iowa Lakes’ comprehensive Cosmetology program covers communication skills, human relations, and salon management in addition to hands-on training in the Laker Salon on College Drive, with advanced haircutting, color mixing and application, styling, and more.

Also participating in Tuesday’s meeting were three Iowa Lakes Cosmetology students, Gracie Zemler, Spirit Lake, IA, Samantha Harris, Graettinger, IA, and Elizabeth Trent, Carroll, IA. The students shared with the Iowa Lakes Board their reasons for enrolling in the Cosmetology program and talked about their positive experiences while attending Iowa Lakes.

“I chose to attend Iowa Lakes to be close to home and because I could get my Associate in Applied Science (AAS) Degree while earning the credit hours needed to take the licensure exam. I love that I can be involved on campus outside of the classroom. I am a member of the Iowa Lakes Dance Team and hold the position of Secretary in the Laker Cosmetology Professionals Club. The cosmetology program has an amazing dynamic, and our instructors are so positive, helpful, and encouraging,” said Zemler.

“During COVID, I fell in love with doing nails for friends and family. This helped me determine what I wanted to do for my career path, and I chose Iowa Lakes because it feels like home. Everyone is so friendly and caring; I just knew it was the right place for me. After graduating from Iowa Lakes, I hope to have my own in-home salon,” said Trent.

Robert Leifeld, Vice President of Administration, received approval to accept three grants for Iowa Lakes Community College, including a $50,000 College and Career Transition Counselor Grant, a $50,000 Future Ready Iowa Innovation Fund Grant, and a $246,700 Iowa Workforce Development Summer Youth Internship Pilot Grant.

The Career Transition Counselor Grant will be awarded over three years and is a shared position between Iowa Lakes Community College, Estherville Lincoln Central Community School District, Okoboji Community School District, and Spencer Community School district.

“Each entity would share 25% of the associated costs for this position. The College and Career Transition Counselor position will assist students in the transition to college or a career path after completing high school,” said Leifeld.

The Future Ready Iowa Employer Innovation Fund Grant will cover tuition, books, and fees for up to 20 individuals in accounting or human resource courses to prepare for the Certified Professional Bookkeeper or the Society of Human Resource Management credential.

Iowa Workforce Development Summer Youth Internship Pilot Project Grant will serve 60 students and over 20 businesses, placing high school students in high-demand career fields and assisting them with drafting a career or education plan. The participating companies will pay interns, and the grant will then reimburse the companies for half of the salary and FICA expenses. Internships range from 10 to 30 hours per week and will last up to 12 weeks. Students will complete 15 hours of essential skills training and receive additional skills training if needed before working for participating businesses.

Jolene Rogers, Executive Director of Community and Business Relations, received approval to accept two donations. The first donation was farm chemicals, fertilizer, and seeds from various donors throughout the five-county area. The second was a gift of $10,000 for the Oliver Anderson Memorial Scholarship fund.

Delaine Hiney, Executive Director of Facilities Management, received approval for the sale of Iowa Lakes property at 1308 Main Street in Emmetsburg, Iowa, using a sealed bid method. Sealed bids must be submitted by noon on Monday, May 17, 2021. A public hearing will be held at the regular Iowa Lakes Board of Trustees meeting on Tuesday, May 18, 2021, at the Spirit Lake Campus.

The next meeting of the Iowa Lakes Community College Board of Trustees will be held on Tuesday, May 18, 2021, at the Spirit Lake Campus, 800 21st Street, Spirit Lake, Iowa.

For additional information, contact the Iowa Lakes Marketing office at 712.362.7947