June Community College Leader Bulletin

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Community College Leader Bulletin - A publication from the Division of Community Colleges and Workforce Preparation

Volume 12, Issue 11                                                                       June 2022                                            educateiowa.gov


Inside this issue


Jeremy Varner
Administrator, Division of Community Colleges and Workforce Preparation
515-281-8260
jeremy.varner@iowa.gov

Dennis Harden
 Chief, Bureau of Career and Technical  Education
515-281-4716
dennis.harden@iowa.gov

Amy Gieseke
Chief, Bureau of Community Colleges
515-858-2234
amy.gieseke@iowa.gov

Alison Jepsen
Executive Officer, Division of Community Colleges and Workforce Preparation
515-314-8328
alison.jepsen@iowa.gov

Iowa Intermediary Network and Iowa Motor Truck Association team up to promote trucking careers

Intermediary

This past spring, the Iowa Intermediary Network, in partnership with the Iowa Motor Truck Association (IMTA), delivered the statewide, virtual event Moving Iowa: On the Road along with a series of regional work-based learning experiences to promote trucking careers. Through these events, over 4,000 students were able to learn more about these careers and the opportunities available in the transportation, distribution and logistics career path. 

The regional work-based learning experiences were hosted at 18 locations across the state, including on the campuses of Southeastern, Northwest Iowa, Western Iowa Tech, Iowa Western and Iowa Lakes Community Colleges. Students in attendance had the opportunity to use a truck driving simulator and experience sitting in the cab of a real truck. Through their partnership with the Iowa Intermediary Network, IMTA was able to reach students to showcase transportation career opportunities and support educators as they facilitate continuing career conversations in their classrooms.

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


Iowa Vocational Rehabilitation Services supports community college students and so much more

marcus jarvis

Marcus Jarvis has one book published, another getting ready to be published and yet a third roughly outlined. Not bad for a 19-year-old. Wait…what?

That’s right. Marcus, who is completing his first year at Western Iowa Tech Community College, is not only a published author but he’s also on track to be a high school English teacher. His accomplishments are impressive for anyone, let alone for someone so young. But Marcus isn’t just anyone. He is autistic.

While being autistic can throw special challenges to those on the spectrum, Marcus managed to circumvent them thanks in large part to the team at the Iowa Vocational Rehabilitation Services (IVRS), which is the Iowa Department of Education’s largest division.

While IVRS may have one of the smallest profiles among state agencies, its work is ubiquitous. The agency extends to all 99 counties and in every high school, community college and regent university in the state.

Read More

For more information, contact Dan Tallon, IVRS Administrator (daniel.tallon@iowa.gov or (515) 214-4452). 


New career academy guidance now available

Guidance 2

The Department has released guidance to assist the state of Iowa’s 15 community colleges with the proper reporting of career academy contact minutes and school courses for the exchange of data (SCED) codes. This information is annually reported by community colleges to the Department and utilized by school districts across the state to ensure proper reporting and calculation of concurrent enrollment supplementary weighted funding that may be available to districts through participation in career academy program opportunities delivered via the community college. The guidance includes general information to community colleges to ensure consistent and clear expectations around reporting guidelines, collection requirements and dissemination of the “Career Academy Minutes and SCED Codes” course file.

For more information about Career Academies/Senior Year Plus, contact Jen Rathje, Education Program Consultant (jennifer.rathje@iowa.gov or (515) 326-5389). For more information about Student Reporting in Iowa or SCED codes, contact Rachel Kruse, Education Program Consultant (rachel.kruse@iowa.gov or (515) 281-4153).


Skilled driver/CDL group develops recommendations for workforce shortage

Trucking

The Iowa Department of Education, Community Colleges for Iowa, Iowa Department of Transportation, Iowa Motor Truck Association, Iowa Workforce Development, the Iowa Governor's office and representation from Iowa's community colleges met in February 2022 to discuss the growing skilled driver/Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) workforce shortages across the state. Since that time, the Iowa Department of Education and the colleges have continued to meet and take steps towards addressing identified concerns and potential solutions. A series of recommendations were developed and have been relayed to public and private partners which will be discussed during a follow-up meeting that is being scheduled for July/August time frame.

For more information, contact Joe Collins, Education Program Consultant (joe.collins@iowa.gov or (515) 419-5190). 


Department reorganization brings new team members to Division of Community Colleges & Workforce Preparation

Update

The Iowa Department of Education has reorganized to better serve its stakeholders. The reorganization brings six additional full-time positions to the Division of Community Colleges and Workforce Preparation. Four of these positions are part of the Educator Preparation team, which approves practitioner programs at Iowa’s colleges and universities. Two of the positions are part of the Teacher Leadership and Compensation (TLC) team, which oversees compensation incentives and leadership development for educators to support their colleagues. Joe Collins, education program consultant for sector partnerships, career pathways and work-based learning will move from the Bureau of Community Colleges to the Bureau of Career and Technical Education within the Division. 

In addition to these changes, the Iowa Department of Education has added three new bureaus: the Bureau of Student & Family Special Education Services, the Bureau of Federal Programs and the Bureau of Early Childhood. The reorganization will facilitate a stronger middle management core, add new and more coherent work units and build a more resilient Department with a culture that empowers timely decision-making closer to the work.

The reorganization will take effect Friday, July 8.

For more information, contact Jeremy Varner, Division Administrator (jeremy.varner@iowa.gov or (515) 281-8260).


Register Now: Iowa Adult Education and Literacy Summer Conference

2022 AEL Conference

The Iowa Department of Education and Iowa Literacy Council are inviting adult education administrators, staff and instructors to attend the Iowa Adult Education and Literacy Summer Conference July 26-28, 2022. We are excited to return to an in-person event and plan to celebrate as we move forward with this year's theme: Facing the Future Together. The event will be held at the FFA Enrichment Center in Ankeny. Conference workshops will take place on July 26 from 1:00 - 4:00 PM with the full-day conference event scheduled for July 27 and 28. 

Registration is live. Please click HERE to go to  the Summer Conference website. 

For more information, contact Elizabeth Johnson, Education Program Consultant (elizabeth.johnson2@iowa.gov or (515) 971-0469) or Helene Fein (ilcexecutivedirector@iowa.gov).


Career opportunities within the Division

Come Join Our Team

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 currently seeking applicants for a career and technical education administrative consultant who will provide support and leadership to the Bureau of Career and Technical Education. This position closes July 7.

The Division will also be seeking applicants for a policy and finance administrative consultant to provide policy analysis and financial support to the Bureau of Community Colleges. This position will be posted soon.

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.