PRESS RELEASE: IOWA LAKES BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEETING HIGHLIGHTS STUDENT SUCCESS, HIGH SCHOOL PARTNERSHIPS PROGRAM GROWTH AT APRIL MEETING

(Emmetsburg, Iowa) – The Iowa Lakes Community College Board of Trustees held its regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, April 21, at the Emmetsburg Campus.

The meeting opened with recognition of student achievement as Troy Larson, vice president of student services and athletic director, introduced the Iowa Lakes women’s wrestling program and its continued success on the national stage.

Larson highlighted the program’s rapid growth over the past three years. In 2024, nine student-athletes competed, with a 14th-place finish out of 18 teams. In 2025, the program expanded to 14 student-athletes, earning one All-American honor and finishing 12th out of 22 teams. In 2026, the team grew to 23 student-athletes, producing four All-Americans and an eighth-place finish out of 30 teams.

As part of the recognition, the Board was introduced to NJCAA women’s wrestling 180-pound national champion Keyahna Phillips of Iowa Lakes Community College. Originally from Chicago, Phillips came to Iowa Lakes during a period of significant personal hardship, including the loss of her home and unstable living conditions. Despite those challenges, she found direction through wrestling and her academic pursuits, ultimately earning a national title and serving as an example of perseverance.

“Coming to Iowa Lakes gave me a chance to reset and figure out who I wanted to be,” Phillips said. “There were a lot of things in my life that could have held me back, but being here, having this team and these coaches helped me push through that. Winning a national title means everything, but it’s really about everything it took to get here.”

Phillips will continue her academic and wrestling career at Oklahoma State University.

Corey Muniz, head women’s wrestling coach, said Phillips’ journey reflects the purpose of the program.

“Keyahna’s story is bigger than wrestling,” Muniz said. “What she’s overcome and the way she shows up every day is what makes her special. She’s earned everything she’s accomplished. To see her become a national champion and move on to the next level is exactly what this program is about.”

Following the recognition, the Board received the Iowa Lakes Report from Kyle Norris, vice president of academic affairs, who introduced the college’s High School Partnerships department.

Norris recognized Kari Hampe, dean of High School Partnerships, for her leadership and long-standing service to the institution. Hampe began her career at Iowa Lakes in 1994 in adult basic education, supporting GED testing, workshops, and literacy instruction. She later served as program coordinator for Project Learning, worked in Secondary Programs as coordinator and director, and was named dean last year. The SAVE program was recently added to her leadership responsibilities, expanding the reach of High School Partnerships.

Hampe holds a Bachelor of Science from Northwest Missouri State University and a Master of Education from Southwest Minnesota State University.

Iowa ranks third in the nation for the percentage of high school students participating in dual credit, and Iowa Lakes continues to expand access and opportunities across the region.

The High School Partnerships department supports a wide range of initiatives, including dual credit programming, career academies, work-based learning, Perkins V and regional planning partnerships, and college and career transition counseling. During the 2025–26 academic year, 929 students participated in dual credit, completing 6,703 college credits.

Career Academy programs continue to grow across campuses and regional centers, offering hands-on pathways in areas such as agriculture, automotive technology, welding, healthcare, electrical technology, and more. Work-based learning opportunities remain a key focus, with students participating in internships, job shadows, mock interviews, and workplace experiences in partnership with local businesses.

The department also hosted several large-scale events throughout the year, including Exploration Days, Career Day, and Manufacturing Day, bringing more than 800 students to campus.

Additional updates included the SAVE program, which serves students with diverse learning needs across multiple campuses, as well as the continued work of College and Career Transition Counselors, who provided intensive support to more than 480 students this year.

Norris also recognized members of the High School Partnerships team for their contributions, including Kendra Hough, Rachel Halma, and Kathy Cornwall.

In other business, the Board approved Farm Crop Inputs for the 2026–27 academic year, reviewed personnel items, and received monthly financial and facilities planning updates.

The Board also approved acceptance of a donated Steinway baby grand piano to support music and performing arts programs at the college.

The next regular meeting of the Iowa Lakes Community College Board of Trustees is scheduled for Tuesday, May 12, 2026, at the Spirit Lake Campus.

For more information, visit iowalakes.edu.