North Central Correctional Facility Interview
A couple of weeks ago, one of the local news stations from Sioux City visited the North Central Correctional Facility to highlight the educational opportunities Iowa Central provides within the facility. Click here to view the story!
Trump Administration FY26 Budget Proposal
On Friday, President Trump revealed his "skinny budget," an abbreviated President's budget that does not include funding requests for every government program but does feature the main areas he would like to see spending cuts and increases. The proposal includes the elimination of several long-standing and bipartisan programs that directly support students and colleges. Specifically, the budget calls for the elimination of TRIO Programs; the Title III Strengthening Institutions Program; Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants; Adult Education and English Language Acquisition; and the federal Job Corps. The proposal also recommends significant cuts to Federal Work Study; the National Science Foundation; and the U.S. Economic Development Administration. These proposed changes would have a profound impact on Iowa's community college students and the supports they rely on to succeed. In response, Iowa's community college leaders are coordinating closely with the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC), the Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT), and Community Colleges for Iowa to develop an advocacy strategy. Historically, many of these programs have enjoyed strong bipartisan support. We are working with partners to ensure that decision-makers understand their value to students, families, and local communities.
Other Federal Updates
In the wake of President Trump's executive order, Reforming Accreditation to Strengthen Higher Education, the Department of Education issued a Dear Colleague Letter with guidance by which institutions of higher education can change their accrediting body(ies) in addition to lifting a Biden-era moratorium on admitting new accreditors. Although borrowers have the primary responsibility for repaying their student loans, institutions play a key role in the Department's ongoing efforts to improve loan repayment outcomes, especially as the cost of college set solely by colleges and universities continues to skyrocket. In the DCL, the Secretary urges all institutions of higher education that receive federal funding assistance to reach out to all former students to remind them of their obligation to repay any federal student loan that is not in deferment or forbearance, and that they do so before June 30, 2025. The DCL also notes that, under Section 435 of the HEA, institutions are required to keep their cohort default rates low or they could lose eligibility for federal student assistance, including Pell Grants and federal student loans. Starting Monday, approximately 195,000 defaulted student loan borrowers will begin receiving an official 30-day notice from the U.S. Department of Treasury notifying them that their federal benefits will be subjected to the Treasury Offset Program. All borrowers in default will continue to receive email communications from FSA making them aware of these developments and urging them to contact the Default Resolution Group to make a monthly payment, enroll in an income-driven repayment plan, or sign up for loan rehabilitation.
Last week, President Trump signed the Executive Order, Protecting American Communities from Criminal Aliens, which takes aim at sanctuary cites.
12 Student Teams Named CCIC Finalists
Twelve student teams from community colleges nationwide have been named finalists in the 2025 Community College Innovation Challenge, where they will present innovative STEM solutions to real-world problems at an Innovation Boot Camp in Washington, D.C. this June. One of the finalists is our very own Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC). Their innovation is a smart tapering vaporizer with AI-coaching (AI-CQD). The project addresses nicotine addiction; the team's tech-driven solution integrates real-time habit analysis, psychological reinforcement, and customizable tapering to address evolving user needs enabling a structured, adaptive quitting journey. Click here to view the other innovative solutions.
Dual Enrollment for Adult Learners Technical Assistance
The Dual Enrollment for Adult Learners (DEAL) project, funded by the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Career, Technical, and Adult Education, is hosting an informational webinar for state staff who are interested in learning about an upcoming opportunity to participate in technical assistance to develop state processes to access Ability to Benefit (ATB) Title IV federal student aid funds for eligible learners. This webinar will review ATB basics, including student eligibility, before describing the proposed technical assistance and the application process. Project information resources will be linked in the Perkins Collaborative Resource Network (PCRN) at this link. Reach out to DEAL@manhattanstrategy.com with any questions!
Grassley Introduces Bipartisan Tax-Free Pell Grant Act to Help Make Higher Education More Affordable
Senator Chuck Grassley has introduced the bipartisan Tax-Free Pell Grant Act, aiming to simplify higher education assistance by fully excluding Pell Grants from taxable income and better coordinating them with the American Opportunity Tax Credit. This legislation seeks to alleviate financial barriers for students, particularly those at community colleges, by ensuring that Pell Grants used for living expenses are not taxed, thereby maximizing the benefits of federal student aid programs. To read more, click here.
Iowa DOGE Update
The DOGE Task Force is seeking your input! Click here to access their feedback form.
Help to Shape the Future of Our Convention & Collaboration
We're planning ahead - and we need your input. Help us shape the future of our annual convention, share services, and statewide collaboration. This brief survey gathers your input on programming priorities, vendor engagement, and opportunities for peer connection. Your feedback ensures that our events and services reflect the needs and goals of Iowa's community colleges. Whether you attend the convention every year or focus more on statewide partnerships and services, your voice matters. We want you to know:
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What shared services are you interested in pursuing?
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How do you want to connect with peers from other colleges?
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What topics and sessions are most important to you?
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What types of vendors and partners would support your work?
Thank you for sharing your insight and helping us strengthen our collective work. Responses will be collected until June 2, 2025.
Community College Baccalaureate Degree Study
In response to the growing number of "education deserts" - areas where residents lack reasonable access to four-year universities - many states are enabling community colleges to offer bachelor's degrees. This initiative aims to provide affordable, local education options for students who cannot relocate due to financial, family, or work-related constraints.
Programs are often tailored to meet local workforce demands, focusing on fields like healthcare, education, and criminal justice. For instance, Muscatine Community College in Iowa is exploring such offerings to serve its rural population. Students like Elexiana Oliva, aspiring to become a police detective, would benefit from completing their bachelor's degrees without leaving their communities.
Currently, approximately half of U.S. states permit community colleges to confer bachelor's degrees, with others considering similar legislation. While some four-year institutions express concerns about potential program duplication, proponents argue that community colleges serve a distinct student demographic with unique needs.
By expanding bachelor's degree programs at community colleges, states aim to bridge educational gaps, enhance workforce readiness, and stimulate local economies, particularly in underserved rural areas.
Global eLearning: Bridging Language and Accessibility Gaps for Inclusive Training
Join 3Play Media on May 22nd at 11amET for a live panel to explore how language and accessibility shape the success of global eLearning. In this session, industry experts will dive into real-world strategies for localizing content, meeting accessibility standards like WCAG, and designing inclusive training for diverse audiences worldwide. Key Takeaways include how language and accessibility impact learning outcomes; smart strategies for content localization; and best practices for building accessible, global training. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar. Click here to register now.
Transforming Workforce with AR/VR - Join a Live Webinar
Join zSpace this Tuesday, May 13, 2025 (10amCT), for a powerful webinar that brings together industry experts and educators to explore how AR/VR is transforming workforce training across career pathways - from advanced manufacturing and oil and gas to healthcare. This session will showcase how immersive technology is aligning with industry certifications, closing the skills gap, and preparing students for in-demand careers. David Hirsch will provide a behind-the-scenes look at how Systran's Process Technology application on zSpace's AR/VR platform is equipping the next generation of technicians through high-fidelity, interactive 3D valves, pumps, exchangers, and more to meet real industry needs - and how educators can leverage it to bridge the classroom-to-career gap. Bruce Williams of HealthForce Kentucky will spotlight how AR/VR is reshaping healthcare education, helping students build career-ready skills in a hands-on, virtual environment. Click here to register.
Luther College, Northeast Iowa Community College Partner for Student Housing
Luther College and Northeast Iowa community College (NICC) have announced a new partnership to address student housing needs. Beginning this fall, between 20 and 50 NICC students attending the Calmar campus will have the opportunity to reside in Luther's Larsen Hall in Decorah, located less than 20 minutes away. These students will also have access to Luther's campus amenities, including meal plans, fitness facilities, and the library. NICC Interim President Dave Dahms described the initiative as a way to enhance the college experience and foster stronger ties between the two institutions. Luther College President Brad Chamberlain welcomed the collaboration, noting it will enrich the campus community and support student success. This housing option is especially beneficial for NICC students who travel long distances or participate in specialized programs, such as athletics. To learn more, click here.
SCC Alumni Association Golf Outing Set for Friday, June 13 at Burlington Golf Club
Slots are filling fast for the SCC Alumni Association Golf Outing coming up on Friday, June 13, at Burlington Golf Club with a shot-gun start at 9am. This 4-person best shot tournament includes green fees, cart rental, player gifts, breakfast, and lunch, all for just $100 per person. Tournament highlights include a 50/50 cash raffle, games set up throughout the course, and even a hole-in-one prize to win $5,000 for the lucky player and another $5,000 for the SCC Alumni Association. The popular outing is the biggest fundraiser for the SCC Alumni Association. Registration closes on June 6 and the rain date is set for June 16. To register, contact Val Giannettino at (319) 208-5065 or vgiannettino@scciowa.edu or visit the SCCAA golf outing webpage.