IOWA LAKES’ MENNING AND OVIATT SELECTED TO RECEIVE OUTSTANDING FACULTY AND STAFF AWARDS BY COMMUNITY COLLEGES FOR IOWA

(Estherville, Iowa) Community Colleges for Iowa (formerly IACCT) selected Iowa Lakes Community College employees Corey Menning and Cindy Oviatt to receive the Outstanding Faculty and Staff awards at the annual Trustee Conference on July 21, 2022. The conference was hosted by Western Iowa Tech Community College in Sioux City, Iowa. The Outstanding Faculty and Staff awards recognize faculty, staff, leaders, and trustees from Iowa’s 15 community colleges dedicated to excellence and accessible education.

“Iowa Lakes Community College is honored to have both Corey and Cindy selected to receive the outstanding faculty and staff awards. Their exceptional efforts and continued focus on excellence and integrity significantly impact Iowa Lakes and our students,” said Iowa Lakes President Scott Stokes.

Menning, Construction Technology Assistant Professor, received the Outstanding Faculty Award and has been employed at Iowa Lakes for over 15 years. Menning started his career at Iowa Lakes as a student in the Construction Technology program, ultimately becoming the Program Coordinator and Assistant Professor.

“Corey has been a leader at Iowa Lakes not only amongst faculty but as an esteemed mentor for students. His dedication to Iowa Lakes and the Construction Technology program is unsurpassed. Corey has been diligent in creating a curriculum and learning environment that will allow our students to be positioned ahead of the competition when entering the workforce and to have the skills and knowledge needed to be successful in their careers,” said Stokes.

Oviatt, the President’s Administrative Assistant, received the Outstanding Staff Award. Since 2005, Oviatt has served three presidents and took on the Board Secretary role in 2018, signaling the first occurrence of this combination of responsibilities. Special projects attributed to her leadership include successfully leading the 2022 Phi Theta Kappa Banquet planning, special college ribbon cuttings, and ground-breaking dedications.

“We are so pleased that Cindy was selected to receive the Outstanding Staff Award for Iowa Lakes Community College. Cindy represents the epitome of professionalism, as she effortlessly serves in any capacity the College President and the Board of Trustees need. Her exceptional proofreading and technical abilities, combined with her organizational and problem-solving skills, make her invaluable,” said Stokes.

This year, the awardees include one outstanding staff member and one outstanding faculty member from each college. Recipients were selected from each college based on service and leadership to their college and community.

To learn more about Iowa Lakes, please visit iowalakes.edu.

###