Western Iowa Tech Community College: Dr. Terry Lindsay Approved as WITCC New President
Western Iowa Tech Community College is excited to welcome Dr. Terry Lindsay as their new college president. Dr. Lindsay has 32 years of experience in higher education with demonstrated expertise in key areas such as workforce training, student success, and academic program development. He comes to us from Albany, Georgia where he has served on the Boad of Directors for the Chamber of Commerce and the United Way of Southwest Georgia. Please join us in welcoming Dr. Lindsay! Further details available here.
The Gazette: Iowa property tax bills could ‘devastate’ community colleges
The Iowa legislature is still considering property tax reform bills that propose caps to levies that directly tie to community college funding. “100 percent we understand the pressure that the Legislature is under, it is a devastating impact to us,” said Kirkwood vice president of government and community relations Jasmine Almoayyed.
House File 2745 would limit the growth of all property tax levies for local governments, which would affect Iowa’s community colleges by taking away up to $140 million per year in reliable funding.
The Messenger: Property tax relief shouldn’t come at the expense of Iowa Central
Dr. Jesse Ulrich shares how the property tax bill disproportionately affects community colleges compared to the savings offered to the average Iowa homeowner: 2 to 3 percent of current individuals’ property taxes. The proposed legislation would limit growth on future levies, which make up a large portion of community colleges’ upkeep budget, regardless of future cost increases. Limiting this funding would severely impact the services and growth of Iowa’s community colleges and their ability to serve their communities.
Times-Republican: A small share, a big impact: Why property tax proposals matter to Iowa Valley
Dr. Anne Howsare Boyens shares how the proposed legislation would affect Iowa’s community colleges and the services they offer to students and their communities at large. The funding applies to areas like maintenance and insurance premiums, which are unavoidable and outside individual control. By excluding community colleges from the levy caps the same way K-12 schools are, this bill can reduce yearly expenses for Iowans while ensuring that community colleges can continue to offer accessible, quality education and opportunities amid rising costs.
KICD Northwest Iowa Now: Northwest Career Academy to Shut Down in Laurens
Despite the closure of the Northwest Career Academy in Laurens due to enrollment shifts and new contract requirements, local leaders emphasize that the demand for rural workforce training remains critical. While Iowa Central Community College shuttered the facility after participating districts opted for different training models, recent feedback from counselors and businesses confirmed a persistent student interest in hands-on manufacturing careers. Local manufacturers continue to advocate for these programs to bridge the skills gap, prompting districts like Pocahontas Area to develop new work-based learning models that partner directly with county industries. The academy's legacy underscores a vital, ongoing need to connect rural Iowa students with local technical trades to sustain the regional economy. Read the full article here.
Iowa Capitol Dispatch: Northeast Iowa Community College to expand healthcare education with new facility
Northeast Iowa Community College is expanding with community support to a new facility that sits closer to the West Delaware County Community School District. The larger facility will provide more immediate access to community college students, as well as high school students enrolling in prerequisite courses and exploring different career paths. In addition, the NICC Certified Nurse Aid lab will increase its number of beds and update its healthcare equipment to give students the most realistic experience possible. Read the full story here.
Illinois Farmer Today: Iowa community college ag students explore Brazil
Agricultural students from Kirkwood Community College spent twelve days in Brazil learning about soybean, coffee, and corn farms in a tour that included the Universidade Federal de Lavras and Cocatrel Coffee Cooperative. Students also got a chance to network with agricultural professionals in Brazil who have worked with Kirkwood for over six years. Read the full article here.
KIMT3 News: NIACC named semifinalist for $1 million Aspen Prize
North Iowa Area Community Colleges has been named a finalist for the 2027 Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence! They are one of 25 semifinalists, selected from over 900 institutions nationwide based on their outcomes data and student success. The Aspen Prize is awarded every 2 years, and comes with $1 million in award money.