Association of Community College Trustees: Public Says Community Colleges Provide Access, Affordability, and Quality
In a recent Gallup poll, community colleges received extremely positive feedback for providing accessible, quality education across the country. Some highlights from the ratings include:
Access: 68% of Americans rate two-year colleges excellent or good at providing access to education for people from all backgrounds.
Quality: 61% rate the quality of education positively — more than 10 points ahead of four-year institutions.
Affordability: 54% call two-year colleges affordable, compared with just 12% for four-year institutions — a striking 42-point gap.
Workforce preparation: 52% give positive marks, again outpacing four-year colleges.
Read the full article here.
U.S. Department of Education: U.S. Department of Education Approves the Nation’s First Workforce Pell Grant Program in Iowa
Iowa made history August 4 as the first state to roll out the Workforce Pell Grant, part of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act meant to strengthen the workforce.“After decades of debate and a lot of hard work, Workforce Pell is finally here – opening up new opportunities for students to use their Pell Grants on programs that will help them jumpstart their careers,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon. Read the full article here.
Iowa Public Radio: Education Secretary McMahon visits Iowa to roll out federal Workforce Pell Grant program
Iowa Central Community College welcomed Governor Reynolds and U.S. Secretary of Education McMahon to celebrate the new opportunities afforded thanks to the Workforce Pell Grant. Iowa became the first state in the nation to open applications for the new grant funding in April 2026, and a new EMT training course at Iowa Central is the first program funded by the new structure. Read the full article here.
Iowa Public Radio: Education Secretary McMahon visits Iowa to roll out federal Workforce Pell Grant program
Iowa Central Community College welcomed Governor Reynolds and U.S. Secretary of Education McMahon to celebrate the new opportunities afforded thanks to the Workforce Pell Grant. Iowa became the first state in the nation to open applications for the new grant funding in April 2026, and a new EMT training course at Iowa Central is the first program funded by the new structure. Read the full article here.
Iowa Capital Dispatch: Northeast Iowa Community College receives grant for electrical training expansion
An expansion to the electrical training program offers Northeast Iowa Community College students a new opportunity for advanced certification. Thanks to an award of $420,000 from the Lowe’s Foundation, NICC will open a new electrical lab in Peosta to provide hands-on learning and greater access to their electrician program within their service area. Read the full story here.
Iowa Capital Dispatch: Iowa community colleges to use state grants for new regional career training centers
Two Iowa community colleges will establish new regional centers thanks to $2 million in grants from the Career Academy Incentive Fund. Iowa Western Community College and Ellsworth Community College (part of Iowa Valley Community College District) will expand their reach and offer distant students a new chance to learn closer to home.
Governor Reynolds stated, “When students have more opportunities to explore careers, earn credentials and gain real world experience while they’re still in high school, we build the next generation of workforce leaders in our communities.” Read the full article here.
KIMT 3: Adults 55+ find community and classes at new NICC program
Adults 55 and older in and around Calmar, Iowa have a new opportunity to stay connected with the new WISE (Wisdom, Inspiration, Social, Experiences) program from Northeast Iowa Community College. The program offers activities groups by interest, with topics ranging from historical education to crafting workshops to health and wellness classes. The first event kicks off this September with a focus on the card game 13 Skadoo, and is open to all skill levels and includes snacks for participants. Get more details here.
Iowa Capital Dispatch: State-contracted report shows broad access to higher education in Iowa
In response to requests for Iowa community colleges to offer bachelors degrees, the state contracted the National Center for Higher Education Management Systems (NCHEMS) to generate a report on Iowa’s post-secondary educational landscape. The report was released to the Iowa Department of Education on June 25, commenting on the report once Iowa Capital Dispatch submitted a public records request. The 119 page report details Iowa’s need for connected educational institutions that can reach remote areas of the state. Discussion continues regarding whether Iowa’s ‘education deserts’ are a motivator for individuals to seek their education and careers outside the state. Read the full article here.
The Hechinger Report: Facing political attack and falling enrollment, colleges take the fight to … each other
The Hechinger Report discusses how Illinois’ struggle to pass legislation allowing community colleges to offer bachelors degrees is one Iowa shares, with opposition from private institutions. The report also notes that the growing competition between higher educational institutions is in some cases confusing students and working against the overall goal of educating and preparing the next generation’s workforce, concluding that the offer of quality education is the most important factor institutions and potential students alike should consider.
Read the full report here.