Skip to main content
ccforiowa.org
Community Colleges for Iowa
Member Portal
Main Content

CCforIowa Bulletin

Trustee Awards: Thanking Leaders for Years of Service 

Join us in celebrating our trustees and leaders reaching these tremendous milestones for the years of service they’ve dedicated to Iowa community colleges. These leaders' significant tenure, with their advocacy, vision, and leadership, have made a lasting impact. 

15 YEARS  

Michelle Garvin, Eastern Iowa Community Colleges  

Jay A. Nardini, Hawkeye Community College  

Arden Kinnander, Iowa Lakes Community College  

Jane Nolan Goeken, Iowa Lakes Community College  

25 YEARS  

Connie Smith, Iowa Central Community College  

Loretta Berkland, Northwest Iowa Community College  

35 YEARS  

Robert H. Gallagher, Eastern Iowa Community Colleges  

45 YEARS  

Thomas O. Chelesvig, Iowa Central Community College  

RETIREMENT  

Joe Pugel, Des Moines Area Community College –– 28 years 

Awardees will be recognized at the Summer Trustee Conference on Wednesday, July 8 at Iowa Valley Community College. See all awardees here. 

 

Year-Round Advocacy: Kirkwood Hosts Annual Presidential Networking Reception 

Kirkwood was pleased to host their annual Presidential Networking Reception on June 24, bringing together over 120 community members, partners, college leaders, and employees for an evening focused on connection and collaboration. 

The event reflected Kirkwood’s continued commitment to student success and community impact. Nearly 40 Kirkwood employees attended, representing Academic Affairs, Student Services, Continuing Education, the Kirkwood Foundation, The Hotel at Kirkwood, Cabinet leadership, and members of the Board of Trustees. 

Dr. David Cook, the new president of Iowa State University, shared brief remarks alongside President Dr. Kristie Fisher. Kirkwood was also honored to have former President Dr. Norman Nielsen in attendance. 

It’s important to build relationships and give thanks year-round, and we’re grateful for the many ways each of the Iowa community colleges has made this a practice. Let us keep learning from each other and brainstorming together to meet the moments ahead of us! 

 

 

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: 

Does your campus want specific job opportunities highlighted? Email marketing@ccforiowa.org to be featured. 

 

Student Success Story: Meet Kadin 

Meet Kadin: being a student wasn’t a natural fit, but one setback meant a lifetime of success, once he found his passion. 

Going to college seemed like a given until it was the first semester, and what worked in high school wasn’t going to do it. Kadin didn’t get discouraged, but looked for resources on campus to rebuild how he studied and figured out his strengths. As it turns out, his gift of gab, good nature, and ability to think on his feet added up to being a great entrepreneur. He has excelled ever since, contributing to campus as the Vice President of the Student Senate and a member of Future Business Leaders of America and Laker Life campus ministries. Next up: transferring to @UNI to double major in Business Analytics and Economics.  

Kadin was recognized for his 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, Kadin! 

© 2026 Community Colleges for Iowa. All rights reserved.