Seven $50,000 grants have been awarded to Iowa community colleges to support seven new college and career transition counselor positions. Des Moines Area Community College, Eastern Iowa Community College, Indian Hills Community College, Iowa Central Community College and North Iowa Area  Community College have received funds to employ the counselors who will be present in local school districts and on the colleges' campuses to support students as they make decisions on their track to further education and/or their career goals.The new college and career transition counselors will work with students in 14 school districts across the state—Ballard, Belmond-Klemme, Clear Lake, Colo-NESCO, Davis County, Fort Dodge, Lake Mills, Moulton-Udell, Newell-Fonda, North Scott, Osage, Wayne, West Fork and West Hancock. Read the press release here and read more about college and career transition counselors below. 

The division recently released fiscal year (FY) 2021 reports for the Pathways for Career Employment (PACE) Program, Gap Tuition Assistance Program, Work-Based Learning Intermediary Network, Adult Education and Literacy Programs (AEL) and the Workforce Training and Economic Development Fund (WTED). The 2021 WTED annual progress report and 2022 WTED annual plan were presented to and approved by the State Board of Education on January 20. These programs are funded through the Iowa Department of Education’s allocation of the Iowa Skilled Worker and Job Creation Fund, which was created to support worker training and job creation efforts with funding from the state’s gaming industry receipts.

FY21 report highlights include the following:

• A total of 977 applicants were approved for tuition assistance under the Gap Tuition Assistance Program and 638 students completed their programs during FY21.
• A total of 2,697 applicants were approved for tuition assistance under PACE. By the end of AY20-21, 728 students received an award through credit programs, 1,298 completed noncredit programs, 425 earned industry credentials and 545 earned third-party credentials.
• The Iowa Work-Based Learning Intermediary Network provided work-based learning experiences to 73,175 educator and student participants.
• Iowa’s AEL programs served 7,501 unique participants.
• A total of 45,304 participants and 3,132 businesses benefited from programs funded through the WTED fund.

For more information, contact Paula Nissen, Education Program Consultant, (paula.nissen2@iowa.gov or (515) 418-8273).

The Department has released two guidance documents to assist postsecondary institutions with the implementation and management of career and technical student organizations (CTSOs). The Career and Technical Student Organizations Guide for Postsecondary Enrollment includes information about starting a CTSO, allowable and unallowable expenses under Perkins, alignment of CTSOs and common questions about postsecondary CTSOs. The Guidance Impacting Career and Technical Student Organizations and the Senior Year Plus Concurrent Enrollment Program includes information about how school districts and community colleges can work together to provide comprehensive, quality CTE programs and CTSO chapters. These guidance documents were drafted with input from two workgroups comprised of representatives from Iowa’s community colleges.

Iowa recognizes five postsecondary CTSOs:

• Business Professionals of America (BPA)
• Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA)
• Future Business Leaders of America - Phi Beta Lambda (FBLA-PBL)
• HOSA - Future Health Professionals
• SkillsUSA

Postsecondary CTE programs that award a two-year associate degree will be required to offer all appropriate and recognized CTSOs by the start of academic year 2024-25. 

For more information, contact Chris Dzurick, Education Program Consultant, (chris.dzurick@iowa.gov or (515) 419-4792). 

The State Park and Institutional Roads Program provides funding to construct, reconstruct, improve and maintain roadways, including bridges, within the boundaries of state-owned lands or community college property. Sixty-five one-hundredths of one percent of the Road Use Tax Fund is allocated for maintenance and improvement of the State Park and Institutional Roads system. 

There are over 600 miles of roadways in the Park and Institutional Roads System. State agencies participating in the program are the Iowa Department of Corrections (DOC), the Iowa Department of Education (DOE) State Fair Board, Department of Human Services (DHS), National Guard of Iowa, Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Board of Regents and Department of Administrative Services (DAS) Capitol Complex.

Each agency is allocated a percentage of the fund based on the Iowa Code, as follows: Iowa DNR (45.5%), Board of Regents (30%), Iowa DHS (6.5%), Iowa DOE (6%), Iowa DOC (5.5%), National Guard of Iowa (4%), State Fair Board (2%) and Iowa DAS Capitol Complex (0.5%)

In Fall 2021, all (15) community colleges were able to submit project proposals for review; the awards from the FY22 application cycle for calendar years 2024 & 2025 are as follows:

CY 2024: 

Southeastern Community College – ($250,000)

Replace and repair concrete road going through the middle of SCC - West Burlington Campus

Northeast Iowa Community College – ($179,000)

Milling and resurfacing of asphalt road, storm drain updates, and curb/gutter repair.

CY 2025:

Kirkwood Community College – ($250,000)

Finish phase #3 (concrete) of Cedar View Parkway SW & Benton View Parkway SW improvements

Western Iowa Tech Community College – ($230,000)

Replacement of concrete road of Stone Ave./SunRidge Court

For more information, contact Jeff Fletcher, Education Program Consultant (jeffrey.fletcher@iowa.gov or (515) 321-7309).

February is CTE Month®, and you’re invited to join in the celebration. Each year, the achievements in career and technical education programs are highlighted and promoted by students, educators and administrators in Iowa and across the nation.

Career and technical education, or CTE, directly prepares students for future careers in high-wage, in-demand fields. High-quality CTE programming provides opportunities for students to develop both academic and technical skills through hands-on training and experiences. Students participating in CTE programs – such as advanced manufacturing, information technology, health care and more – often have opportunities not only to develop skills and gain valuable real-world experience but also earn college credits and industry-recognized credentials.

CTE programs can open doors to postsecondary education, future careers and a strong Iowa workforce. You can celebrate CTE Month® and help raise awareness of the importance of CTE programs by participating in four simple activities.

1. Participate in CTE Day at the Capitol
Join Iowa students and educators for CTE Day at the Capitol on Tuesday, Feb. 8 from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. This annual event, sponsored by the Iowa Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE), showcases CTE student booths and displays in the Capitol Rotunda and provides opportunities for participants to meet with legislators and share their learning experiences. Register with the Iowa ACTE by Feb. 1 to participate in this upcoming free event.

2. Build awareness on social media
Social media is a great outlet for sharing photos of CTE programs and events and engaging in discussion with fellow students, educators and business partners. Highlight the successes of CTE programs in your area and show how Iowa is helping students become future ready. Use the hashtags #CTEMonth and #CareerTechEd in your posts all month long.

The Department has released an update to the Iowa Work-Based Learning Guide. The updated Iowa Work-Based Learning Guide outlines each work-based learning experience with a definition, components of a quality experience and provides a link for individuals to find additional supportive resources. This updated version includes clarified definitions and descriptions of the work-based learning continuum and essential elements of work-based learning as well as new sections about integration strategies and individual career and academic plans.

For more information, contact Kristy Volesky, Education Program Consultant, (kristy.volesky@iowa.gov or (515) 971-0669).

The Iowa Work-Based Learning Coordinators’ executive board is excited to invite MOC/WEC coordinators, CTE teachers, work-based learning coordinators, school-to-work coordinators, business partners and interested colleagues to join us for our professional development conference on Thursday, April 14th at The Meadows Event Center in Altoona. This collaborative conference is a personalized learning and networking event for anyone interested in providing quality work-based learning for students.

This year’s breakout sessions and speakers will help you develop or expand the best work-based learning program possible by offering sessions covering the entire work-based learning continuum. This event also includes our annual business meeting and voting for new executive board positions.

REGISTER HERE.

Share your work-based learning expertise at the conference by submitting a session proposal by February 1, 2022 through a simple form. 

For more information, contact Kristy Volesky, Education Program Consultant, (kristy.volesky@iowa.gov or (515) 971-0669).

In the classrooms at Hawkeye Community College, student Larbila Bankangou was affectionately nicknamed Bank. The shortened version of his last name not only helped this Togo-native to break down language barriers with his instructors and fellow students, it also perfectly described his ability to learn and store information obtained during his Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) course. One of the biggest key points he quickly learned during his time at Hawkeye was that his tuition costs were covered.

Through the Governor’s Emergency Education Relief Fund (GEER II Gap Expansion), nearly $2.9 million was extended to Iowa’s 15 community colleges this year to provide additional financial support to students in short-term credential programs. Many students taking non-credit programs who were typically not eligible for other financial assistance, such as Gap Tuition Assistance or Last Dollar Scholarship, now have the opportunity to receive support for training in a high-demand job field, like CDL truck driving.

“GEER II Gap Expansion opens up the opportunity to serve students that earn too much income to qualify for other assistance but aren’t making enough to afford the $4,000 tuition for the CDL program,” said Keri Kono, career pathway navigator lead at Hawkeye Community College. “Without this funding, many participants like Bank wouldn’t be able to learn a new skill and advance in any way in their careers.”

For Bankangou, who now resides in Waterloo, his career pathway definitely changed when he received his CDL certification last week. He has been working on the production line at a meat processing plant for entry-level wages, but now, he has several possibilities for a career in truck driving where salaries can range from $60,000 to $100,000 and beyond.

“I’m starting to apply to companies as a delivery driver right now,” Bankangou said. “I am still deciding if I want to drive (over the road) long distances or do shorter deliveries.”

With the current supply chain issues in Iowa and across the nation, Bankangou’s choice into either area will be welcomed by the truck driving industry. More truck drivers are desperately needed, and Hawkeye invites other adults looking for a career change or higher earnings to consider the CDL course.

Yolanda Mendoza knows exactly how much it costs to enroll in the Principles of Accounting class at Des Moines Area Community College. It’s $771.

Mendoza, who owns a small insurance business, wanted to pursue the accounting class to strengthen her business management and bookkeeping skills, and she ended up enrolling in the 15-week course in August. Although she was planning to make scheduled payments for the $771, she has recently learned that she qualifies for a new type of financial assistance to help pay for her tuition. 

As part of the federal Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations (CRRSA) Act that passed in December 2020, Iowa received $11.5 million in discretionary funds through the Governor’s Emergency Education Relief Fund (GEER II) to address emerging needs from the COVID-19 pandemic. Nearly $2.9 million of these funds will be provided to Iowa’s 15 community colleges through competitive grants to help expand the Gap Tuition Assistance program. This limited funding, known as GEER II Gap Expansion, will help expand programming at community colleges across the state and will help support students who are looking to earn short-term credentials for in-demand jobs.

“I think now more than any other time, there is funding available to help students,” said Michael Hoffman, executive director of continuing education at Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC). “Whether you are taking an approved short-term, non-credit certificate or credit certificate program, the GEER II Gap Expansion funds can help cover costs. For many people, $600 to $1,000 for tuition can be a burden.”

Prior to the release of the GEER II Gap Expansion funding, students like Mendoza would not qualify for any tuition assistance or other support. Most established financial assistance, such as the general Gap Tuition Assistance and Pathways for Academic Career and Employment (PACE) programs, are income-based. Also, federal Pell grants and the Last Dollar Scholarship programs have requirements for timeframes or enrollment in credit-earning courses. As a result, there has been a gap in assistance for working adults who are simply looking to upskill or potentially change careers. With the new GEER II Gap Expansion funding, students are now able to find assistance for these types of programs, which helps not only students but also employers.

It’s the first week of Melissa Albrant’s new job as a child support recovery supervisor. Her schedule is hectic, filled with learning new things and adjusting to a different environment and pace. But she is upbeat, excited and most important, grateful for this new career path that she found through her experience at Iowa Lakes Community College.

Albrant, who lives in Emmetsburg in north central Iowa, worked at a nursing home for 19 years prior to her new job. Despite her years of experience and having a college degree, she was barely making ends meet, even when she worked overtime. And as a single mother of two girls, 10 and 14, Albrant wanted things to change.

She approached Iowa Lakes with the idea that she wanted to upskill and learn something new. With the assistance and career coaching process at Iowa Lakes, Albrant found phlebotomy was a good class to pursue since the nursing home often needed more people to help.

“I love learning new things,” Albrant said. “There were only a few people at the nursing home who could draw blood, so I took the course to help out.”

At Iowa Lakes, students are assigned to pathway navigators who provide guidance and support throughout the college experience. Pathway navigators can help a student identify potential career possibilities based upon the student’s interests, ideals and opportunities for success.

“Much of our time is spent helping our students understand what is important to them and how their values, personality, motivated skill sets and basic needs drive their successes,” said Melissa Lutat, pathway navigator at Iowa Lakes Community College. “In turn, they understand how they can apply these important characteristics to a high demand job field. They can see themselves being successful.”

The Department of Education is currently offering three funding opportunities to assist districts with meeting these requirements and help Iowa school districts and accredited nonpublic schools with the cost of providing high-quality computer science curriculum for students and aligned professional development for teachers:

• SCRIPT Workshop Grants - Available to help Iowa school districts and accredited nonpublic schools with the cost for substitutes or stipends to attend a SCRIPT Workshop where they will begin the development of their K-12 computer science plan. Funding for SCRIPT and the Computer Science Curriculum and Professional Development Grants is available thanks to a portion of a 2007 court-approved settlement of a class-action antitrust lawsuit filed against Microsoft Corp. being designated for K-12 computer science curriculum for students and training for teachers. 
• Computer Science Curriculum and Professional Development Grants - Available to build the capacity of Iowa schools to provide high-quality computer science instruction reflecting K-12 state computer science standards.
• Iowa Computer Science Professional Development Incentive Fund - Established to assist schools in meeting the goal of the General Assembly, that by July 1, 2019, each accredited high school offer at least one high-quality computer science course, each accredited middle school offer instruction in exploratory computer science, and each accredited elementary school offer instruction in the basics of computer science. The goal of this grant program is to build the capacity of Iowa schools to provide high quality computer science instruction.

For more information, contact Justin Lewis, Education Program Consultant, (justin.lewis@iowa.gov or (515) 669-7007).

We are seeking talented individuals who are passionate about excellence in education to fill several positions over the next few months within the Division of Community Colleges and Workforce Preparation.

We don't just talk about inclusion; it's how we do business. Our team is globally diverse and we seek candidates whose differences will challenge our ideas, spur innovation and ultimately help build stronger programs serving the people of Iowa.

The division is seeking applicants for an education program consultant to lead career and academic planning programs.

To learn more about opportunities within the division, please contact Jeremy Varner, Administrator, Division of Community Colleges and Workforce Preparation (jeremy.varner@iowa.gov, or (515) 281-8260).