Legislative Priorities Discussed at Iowa Lakes Trustees’ Meeting

(Estherville, Iowa) The members of the Board of Trustees of Iowa Lakes Community College were updated Tuesday afternoon about priorities for the upcoming legislative session and learned about continuing education and training opportunities available at Iowa Lakes.

M.J. Dolan, the Executive Director of the Iowa Association of Community College Trustees (IACCT), provided an updated report and discussed the legislative priorities for the upcoming legislative session. Dolan introduced Denise Hollenbeck, Trustee from Eastern Iowa Community College District and Chair of the Iowa Association of Community College Trustees. Hollenbeck discussed the importance of advocacy for community colleges to be united with one voice.

Jolene Rogers, Executive Director of Community and Business Relations, introduced Gary Schmidt, Industrial Training Programmer, and Bill Dickey, Continuing Education Programmer. Schmidt reported to the Board about the successful outcomes that have been measured for the various industrial training courses offered at Iowa Lakes.

“We have successfully trained over 1,064 people from over 56 different companies over the past three years,” said Schmidt.

Schmidt also stated, “Iowa Lakes Community College now offers a Registered Apprenticeship program that provides educational and training opportunities for aspiring electricians. Students work under the guidance of a professional electrician receiving hands-on training, combined with classroom instruction. Electrical Apprenticeship training is held in the Industrial Training Center on the Spirit Lake Campus of Iowa Lakes Community College.”

Bill Dickey discussed various training courses offered throughout our five campuses of Iowa Lakes Community College. Some of the trainings offered include Drone Piloting and Arc Welding.

In other business, Robert Leifeld, Vice President of Administration, presented a list of summer graduates which was approved by the Trustees.

Leifeld received approval to accept a Guided Pathways Grant for $30,000 per year grant for a two-year grant cycle. This grant will support the implementation and technical assistance of Guided Pathways at Iowa Lakes Community College. Guided Pathways is part of a state-wide initiative in Iowa to establish long-term goals and to improve student outcomes and reduce equity gaps. Leifeld also received approval for the Mentor Links Grant for $20,000 total. This grant is designed to help colleges strengthen training programs in STEM fields through mentoring, professional development opportunities, and technical assistance.

College classes started today, Tuesday, August 20. The Trustees were updated on ‘Move-In Day’ that took place on Sunday, August 18 and ‘First Day’ activities that took place yesterday. The annual “Back-to-School Bash” at the Estherville Campus will be held on Wednesday, August 21 starting at 5:00 pm.

The next meeting of the Trustees is slated for September 17, 2019, at 4:30 pm at the Administration Building, 19 South 7th Street, Estherville, Iowa.

For More Information:

Iowa Lakes Marketing office at 712-362-7947