We celebrated 60 Years of Impact with today’s students, faculty, trustees, businesses, and all who are a part of our state’s community colleges. From trivia and awards in the heart of Des Moines to subcommittee meetings and booths at the Iowa Capitol Building, our 2026 Leadership In Action Week showcased how community colleges meet student, community, and state needs with one-of-a-kind programming! Get the full scoop of the best week of the year by:
- Reading our Event Recap Article
- Cheering on our network, colleges, and students on social media
- Viewing the photo gallery
- Seeing full list of students recognized and their bios
Below are a few of our favorite moments!
Gov. Kim Reynolds, Lt. Gov. Chris Cournoyer, and legislators from the Iowa House and Iowa Senate stopped by the rotunda as a part of Community Colleges Day on the Hill.
New ways to represent: our events during Leadership In Action Week debut new stickers and t-shirts.
The week was full of pride for Iowa community colleges, student success, and programs that work!
Showcasing student success on our walls
The CCforIowa offices got a refresh in 2025. And just a few weeks ago, our new digs has new artwork: the beautiful sight of student success! We collected the favorites across the 15 community colleges and have representation from every corner of the state for year-round recognition at our hub just steps from the Iowa Capitol Building. When you’re in Des Moines, stop by and see for yourself!
Call us, beep us, if you’d like to reach us (especially Ryan at the Capitol)
After getting to have hundreds of us together during Leadership In Action Week, our reminder to our network is that our team is available to help year-round. You’re guaranteed nuanced insights (often humorously relatable!) and a helping hand. If you would like to return to the Iowa Capitol to see community college legislative priorities through or have support in communicating with legislators for community college issues, those are both items our Director of Government Relations Ryan Roberts can help you with. You can reach him by email at rroberts@ccforiowa.org or by phone at 515-971-9238. And just to prove it, cue his theme song!
Nominations Open: 2026 Trustee & Community College Leadership Awards
We’re excited to announce the opening of the 2026 Trustee & Community College Leadership Awards nomination process. This is an opportunity to recognize exceptional individuals who have gone above and beyond in support of Iowa’s community colleges.
John P. Kibbie Award
This award honors an active trustee who has made a significant and positive impact in their local community and college. This could include developing innovative programs, advancing legislative efforts, or demonstrating leadership in addressing institutional challenges.
- Must be an active Trustee at an Iowa Community College
- Current CCforIowa Board members and past recipients are ineligible
Larry Ebbers Honorary Trustee Award
This award is not given annually and is determined through a recommendation process by the CCforIowa board. As an Honorary Trustee, this award goes to someone who has demonstrated a significant impact on the Iowa Community College sector.
- Current or former Iowa Community College Trustees are ineligible
- Must be nominated by a CCforIowa Board member
Here are the previous awardees for John P. Kibbie and Larry Ebbers Honorary Trustee.
Nominations are due Friday, May 1. Awardees will be recognized at the Trustee Conference, July 8, 2026 at Iowa Valley Community College District in Marshalltown, IA. More information about the awards can be found on our website.