NEW! Response Requested: A Question for You
While this newsletter succeeds in being informative, we’d also love to be more engaging. We’re curious about what’s on your mind. Starting with this edition, our newsletter will prompt a question and share themes and insights from responses. Help us answer:
What is one thing you noticed or learned recently that surprised you or changed your thinking?
Iowa ACTE Award of Merit Presented to Kim Dreaden with Indian Hills Community College
Join us in celebrating Kim Dreaden, Associate Dean of Advanced Technologies at Indian Hills Community College, who has been selected as a recipient of the 2026 Iowa ACTE Award of Merit. This high distinction is presented to individuals who embody outstanding service, strategic leadership, and unwavering dedication to Career and Technical Education across the state of Iowa.
As an ACTE NextLevel Fellow and Past President of Iowa ACTE, Kim has been instrumental in modernizing our association's governance and strengthening post-secondary CTE connections statewide. During her time on the board, she spearheaded the search for a new Executive Director, established an advisory panel of past presidents, led critical strategic planning initiatives, and re-energized community college engagement with Iowa ACTE.
In her nomination, colleagues highlighted the clarity, structure, and vision Kim brings to statewide CTE leadership:
"Kim looks at the big picture and breaks it down into clear, achievable goals. She embodies the heart of Iowa ACTE and always puts the interests of members first... Thanks to Kim, our post-secondary career and technical educators and community colleges are more connected than ever."
We are deeply grateful for Kim’s contributions to our state association, and we wanted to share this achievement with her campus leadership so you may join us in celebrating her well-deserved recognition!
Follow Iowa ACTE on Facebook for future announcements.
CCforIowa’s New Website Coming Soon
An invitation will be in your inbox this month to log into our new and improved member portal. That’s right: all the features you love, with a new sleek design, plus new ways to collaborate! More information (and directions!) will be shared about the transition through individual emails.
Convention and Tradeshow: Early Bird + Group Discounts Available Now
Now is the time to take advantage of the early bird and groups discounts before they end on Oct. 4. Get the convention and tradeshow on your team’s calendar and let us know you plan to join us later this fall. With any questions about tickets and registration, please contact our Director of Strategic Initiatives and Partnerships Monique Ellefson at mellefson@ccforiowa.org. Register here.
2026 Tickets & Prices
|
Ticket Type |
Start Date |
End Date |
Price |
|
Group 10+ Discount Rate |
Jul. 1 |
Oct. 4 |
$300 |
|
Convention + Awards (Early Bird) |
Jul. 1 |
Oct. 4 |
$350 |
|
Convention + Awards (Regular Rate) |
Oct. 5 |
Nov. 22 |
$450 |
|
Awards Dinner Only |
Sep. 1 |
Nov. 22 |
$100 |
|
Pre-Convention Leadership Meeting (Lunch) |
Sep. 1 |
Nov. 22 |
$15 |
|
Additional Sponsor Registration |
Jul. 1 |
Nov. 22 |
$450 |
Outstanding Community College Awards: Nominations Open
It’s time to recognize the amazing people who keep Iowa’s community colleges accessible, affordable, and agile! Awardees will be honored at our Convention and Tradeshow in December. Nominate your outstanding faculty, staff, business and industry partners, alumni, and advocates now through September 25.
Job Opportunities: What better place to work than at an Iowa community college?
No one knows better than our own network how great it is to work in a supportive, innovative, and collaborative place like an Iowa community college. Positions searching for candidates span faculty to operations to administration and beyond. If you know a talented and passionate Iowans who may be interested in a new chapter of their career at a community college, have them check out these job boards/listings:
- Northeast Iowa Community College (Dubuque/Calmar/Peosta/Cresco/Oelwein/Manchester/Waukon)
- North Iowa Area Community College (Mason City)
- Iowa Lakes Community College (Estherville/ Emmetsburg/Spirit Lake)
- Northwest Iowa Community College (Sioux Center/Sheldon)
- Iowa Central Community College (Fort Dodge)
- Iowa Valley Community College District (Marshalltown/Iowa Falls/Grinnell)
- Hawkeye Community College (Waterloo)
- Eastern Iowa Community Colleges (Muscatine/Clinton/Bettendorf)
- Kirkwood Community College (Cedar Rapids)
- Des Moines Area Community College (Central Iowa)
- Western Iowa Tech Community College (Sioux City/Denison)
- Iowa Western Community College (Council Bluffs/ Clarinda/ Harlan/ Atlantic/ Missouri Valley)
- Southwestern Community College (Creston)
- Indian Hills Community College (Ottumwa)
- Southeastern Iowa Community College (West Burlington/ Keokuk)
Does your campus want specific job opportunities highlighted? Email marketing@ccforiowa.org to be featured.
Student Success Story: Meet Janna
Meet Janna: started as a kid who loved animals, became a student passionate about vet care... and soon to be in a vet office near you! 👋💉
Her big heart for our furry friends made pursuing an Associate of Applied Science the clear choice to start her career as a veterinary technician. She found kindred spirits in her classmates and rose to serve as the Vice President of the Iowa Lakes Veterinary Technician Club. After graduation, she plans to stay in Iowa and at her hometown vet clinic.
Janna was recognized for her leadership and academic achievement when named to the Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society’s 2026 All-Iowa Academic Team. Thanks for all your hard work, Janna!
Follow along with and share this student series through CCforIowa's social media channels!