CCforIowa Updates
One Mission, Many Voices: 3rd Annual Convention and Tradeshow Success
Thank you to everyone who dedicated your time and enthusiasm to making our third annual Convention and Tradeshow a success! We had a blast connecting with educational professionals across the state as we learned, collaborated, and bowled together. Pictures of the event are available here, and we’re sharing highlights from sessions to awards on our social media. Let's keep building with our new connections and new ideas and celebrate the great work and impact of our network year-round!
Mark Your Calendar for the Convention and Tradeshow in 2026, 2027, and 2028
We’re growing this “can’t-miss” professional development opportunity for the years to come. Mark your calendar now to be sure you can join us for one of the best weeks every year!
- December 1–3, 2026 | Des Moines, Iowa | Marriott Downtown Des Moines
- November 10-12, 2027 | Des Moines, Iowa | Iowa Events Center
- November 8-10, 2028 | Des Moines, Iowa | Iowa Events Center
Miss the convention and want to bring some of it to your college or other groups?
Our closing session, “One Voice, One Future: Charting the Road Ahead,” can be adapted for many audiences and settings. This session or workshop invites participants into a forward-looking conversation about navigating a world characterized by volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity. We will share insights on emerging trends, shifting expectations, workforce needs, and strategies that build clarity and resilience. Groups leave with practical ideas and renewed energy to pursue their mission with confidence. Contact Annette Heffron at aheffron@ccforiowa.org to learn more and schedule.
Iowa Supreme Court Vacates Decision in Teig v. Hart
On November 25, 2025 , the Iowa Supreme Court issued a decision in Teig v. Hart interpreting Iowa Code Section 21.5(1)(i), the provision of the Iowa Open Meetings law which allows a governmental body to go into closed session to “evaluate the professional competency of an individual whose appointment, hiring, performance, or discharge is being considered when necessary to prevent needless and irreparable injury to that individual’s reputation and that individual requests a closed session.”
The newer Iowa Supreme Court opinion states, “[i]n applying the Open Meetings Act, we seek to avoid interpretations that would produce strained, impractical or absurd results. We think the court of appeals’ reasoning leads to such a result.” Following this decision, governmental bodies no longer have to make an evidence-based determination that a closed session to evaluate the professional competency of an individual, when that individual has requested a closed session, is necessary to prevent needless and irreparable harm to the individual’s reputation. Instead, a governmental body may assume that when an individual requests a closed session under Iowa Code 21.5(1)(i), it is necessary to protect against harm to that individual’s reputation.
Ahlers Cooney Attorneys has provided suggested procedures for governmental bodies to implement when considering going into closed session under Iowa Code 21.5(1)(i). However, because these types of situations are often dynamic and fact specific, consultation with legal counsel is recommended to avoid any unintended compliance issues.
Suggested Procedures:
- Obtain the request in writing to hold a closed session under Iowa Code 21.5(1)(i) from the individual being interviewed or evaluated.
- Ask that the individual include in the written request that it is being made to prevent needless and irreparable injury to the individual’s reputation.
- At the start of the session, note on the record that the request was made by the individual being interviewed or evaluated.
- Maintain a copy of the written request with the sealed closed session records and for the length of time the governmental body maintains the recording and minutes of the closed session.
Update from the Community College Health Study + New Program Opportunity for Your Campus
In a multi-year effort, Iowa community colleges contributed to the Community College Health Study, a national study aimed at better understanding how to promote the sexual and relationship health of community college students and prevent sexual assault. More than 34 community college campuses, 1,500 students, and 50 faculty and administrators participated. Key findings included:
- Many students are not receiving adequate sexual and relationship health education. Only 15% of 18–19-year-olds reported receiving comprehensive sex education since beginning high school.
- Media Aware significantly improved students’ media literacy and sexual health beliefs.
- Students responded positively to the program:
- 85%+ found the program interesting and engaging.
- 96% agreed it is a good resource for young adults to learn about sexual health.
Questions can be sent to Reina Evans-Paulson, PhD at revans@irtinc.us. Read the full studies here.
KCCI: “DMACC and other Iowa community colleges at risk of losing funding for adult education”
On Dec. 5, KCCI featured the impact if Congress allows federal funding for adult education programming to expire at the end of June. The article concluded, “Because Iowa’s community colleges exclusively provide the state’s adult education programming, officials say any lapse in federal funding would affect institutions and students statewide.” See the press coverage.
New Grant Opportunity Available: “Rural Health Transformation (RHT)” through Iowa Health and Human Services
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (Section 71401) creates a new Rural Health Transformation (RHT) grants program administered by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), allocating $50 billion nationwide from federal fiscal years 2026 through 2030 — $10 billion annually. Funds will flow through states, which must submit a Rural Health Transformation Plan to CMS by Dec. 31, 2025, to access and manage these resources. More information available here.
Job Opportunities
Does your campus want specific job opportunities highlighted? Email marketing@ccforiowa.org for those to be featured.
Northeast Iowa Community College (Dubuque/Calmar /Peosta/ Cresco/ Oelwein/ Manchester/ Waukon) is currently hiring full and part-time positions, including “John Deere TECH Instructor,” “Workforce Consultant (Title I Youth and Adult Services and Opportunity Dubuque),” “Director of Admissions and Recruitment,” and more.
North Iowa Area Community College (Mason City) is currently hiring full and part-time positions, including “Title III Activities Director,” “Training & Development Consultant,” “Assistant Program Manager – Emergency Medical Services,” and more.
Iowa Lakes Community College (Estherville/ Emmetsburg/ Spirit Lake) is currently hiring full and part-time positions, including “Associate Director of Special Projects,” “Healthcare Training Consultant/Programmer,” “Dining Services Operation Specialist,” and more.
Northwest Iowa Community College (Sioux Center/Sheldon) is currently hiring full and part-time positions, including “Instructor – Sonography,” “Head Women’s Volleyball Coach (50/50 split),” “Safety Training & Compliance Coordinator,” and more.
Iowa Central Community College is currently hiring full and part-time positions, including “Adjunct Instructor, Religious Studies,” “Business Office Coordinator,” “Admissions Representative,” and more.
Iowa Valley Community College District (Marshalltown/Iowa Falls/Grinnell) is currently hiring full and part-time positions, including “Trades and Industry Coordinator,” “Assistant Women's Basketball Coach,” “Assistant Director of Residence Life / Assistant Athletic Coach,” and more.
Hawkeye Community College (Waterloo) is currently hiring full and part-time positions, including “Faculty - Animal Science Instructor (9-mo),” “Faculty - Civil and Construction Engineering Technology Instructor (9-mo),” “Faculty - Criminal Justice / Police Science Instructor,” “Adjunct Instructors & Continuing Education Instructors,” “Assistant Coach – Men’s Soccer (32 weeks),” and more.
Eastern Iowa Community Colleges (Muscatine/Clinton/Bettendorf) is currently hiring full and part-time positions, including “PACE Career Navigator/Advisor,” “Financial Aid Specialist,” “Nursing, Clinical Coordinator,” and more.
Kirkwood Community College is currently hiring full and part-time positions, including “Student Support Specialist (Part Time),” “Accommodation Access Advocate,” “Event Staff – Equestrian Center (Part Time),” and more.
Des Moines Area Community College (Central Iowa) is currently hiring full and part-time positions, including “Instructor, Electric Utility Technology (Search Extended),” “Part-time Temporary Academic Specialist, Manufacturing, Engineering, Trades, & Transportation,” “Adjunct Instructor, Philosophy (Online, Remote),” and more.
Western Iowa Tech Community College (Sioux City/Denison) is currently hiring full and part-time positions, including “Business Instructor,” “Driver Education Behind-the-Wheel Instructor,” “Custodian,” and more.
Iowa Western Community College (Council Bluffs/ Clarinda/ Harlan/ Atlantic/ Missouri Valley) is currently hiring full and part-time positions, including “Coordinator of Accessibility Services,” “Assistant Coach Men's and Women's Swimming,” “Gameday Operations Student Worker,” and more.
Southwestern Community College (Creston) is currently hiring full and part-time positions, including “Bus Drivers - Part time/seasonal,” “Nurse Aide Instructor – Creston Campus,” “Assistant Coach - Baseball,” “English as a Second Language Part-Time Instructor - evenings,” and “EMS Adjunct Instructor.”
Indian Hills Community College (Ottumwa) is currently hiring full and part-time positions, including “Assistant Athletic Trainer,” “Director, Criminal Justice Academy,” “Network Administrator,” and more.
Southeastern Iowa Community College (West Burlington/ Keokuk) is currently hiring full and part-time positions, including “Industrial Maintenance Training Instructor/Coordinator,” “Drivers - Athletic Events/Student Events,” “Nurse Aide Instructor/Skills Evaluator,” and more.