Posted on November 17, 2022 at 12:00 PM by Monica Clark
It’s the time of year when we pause to remember what we are grateful for, and at Community Colleges for Iowa, we wanted to take a moment to honor the 124 locally-elected Community College Trustees serving statewide and the many, many who have served their communities over the years.
Community Colleges in Iowa have officially existed since the legislature authorized them in 1965, but their roots go back even earlier to the early 1900s with the state’s first merged area schools and technical colleges. Throughout that history, community leaders have given their time and energy to serve as members of local Boards of Trustees.
Community College Trustees in Iowa serve two-year terms and have no term limits. Many choose to serve for many years. In fact, since 1990, we have honored 31 people who served more than 25 years. These individuals are local business owners, professionals, and sometimes alumni and even current students. They care deeply about colleges and the success of their communities. They know that colleges provide an important backbone for regional economies and life-changing opportunities for families.
In her 2014 dissertation, Iowa State University doctoral student Michelle Robinson surveyed Trustees across the Midwest. One question focused on whyTrustees choose to serve. The top three answers were: to serve the community, to serve the college, and to improve programs. Trustee positions are not glamorous, and, in Iowa, they are unpaid, so these individuals really see themselves as public servants and act accordingly.
Take a moment to see who is serving on your local Community College Trustee Board and thank them for their service!
https://www.dmacc.edu/about/Pages/boardofdir.aspx
https://eicc.edu/about-eicc/board-of-trustees/
https://www.hawkeyecollege.edu/about/administration/board-of-trustees
https://www.indianhills.edu/about/boardoftrustees/index.php
https://www.iowacentral.edu/about/trustees.asp
https://iowalakes.edu/about/governance/
https://www.iwcc.edu/about/administration/board-of-trustees/
https://www.kirkwood.edu/about-us/trustees/index
https://www.niacc.edu/about/governing-board/
https://www.nicc.edu/about/administration/board-of-trustees/
https://nwicc.edu/about/board-of-trustees/
https://www.scciowa.edu/aboutscc/ourpeople/boardoftrustees.aspx
https://www.swcciowa.edu/about/general-college-information/board-of-directors