One Voice,
Many Stories

Our mission is to advocate with one voice for accessible excellence in higher education, but this is work we are far from doing alone: Iowans from across the state speak up for our community colleges.

Iowa’s 15 Community Colleges

Iowans are able to live, work, and learn near home as they start the next chapter of their education and career journeys. Check out our 15 colleges!

Who We Work With

In leading statewide efforts, we have opportunities for everyone who cares about community colleges, whether you’re on campus or in the greater community. See what we can offer you!

Why We Care

Iowans need well-paying jobs. Businesses need well-prepared employees. Community colleges help students succeed in work and life. Help us spread the word!

Our 15 Community Colleges

Iowa’s community colleges are nationally distinctive because all colleges operate as a coordinated statewide network while remaining deeply responsive to local workforce and community needs. Iowa has 15 locally governed community colleges, each serving a defined region. 

Search for an Iowa legislative bill

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Connect with Peers & Resources
Grassroots Advocacy Action Center

Get Connected With Our Partners

Our sponsors bring expertise to our network, contributing to unpacking the challenges and opportunities facing the institutions we serve. We’re grateful for our year-round sponsors for committing year after year to higher education solutions!

See Student Success in Action

Opportunity shouldn’t depend on where you live. Iowa’s community colleges bring high-quality education and career pathways directly to communities across the state. Students can pursue their goals, prepare for in-demand careers and build their futures close to home—while earning recognition for academic excellence along the way. 

Meet Lisa

Her passion for helping other people find comfort led her to pursue a career in hospitality and tourism.

Iowa Valley Community College District

Grinnell, IA

Already an exemplary student, Lisa’s goal is to make other people comfortable through service with a degree in Business Administration concentrated in Hospitality and Tourism. She has demonstrated a go-getter attitude and a passion for creating inclusive environments during her time at Iowa Valley Community College by participating in multiple Edge programs and the Iowa Regional Leadership Conference. She’s excited to be transferring to a four-year college to complete her bachelor’s degree, and we are excited to see how her career blossoms from there!

Meet Erika

She finds time to scrapbook the important events in her life between two jobs, three dogs, and... oh, yeah, maintaining her 3.9 GPA.

Iowa Central Community College

Battle Creek, IA

Erika earned more than just a degree in her time at @Iowa Central Community college— she has been the president of the Phi Theta Kappa society as well as the student ambassador program, while being an R.A. and a drum major in the college’s marching band. When not in school, she is employed at two local businesses part-time, as well as a church camp during the summer where she serves as a counselor and a lifeguard. She’ll have to start a whole new scrapbook when she transfers to Iowa State this fall to major in Criminal Justice!  

Meet Samantha

A student balancing a job in healthcare who loves what she does and wants to make it her career!

Northwest Iowa Community College

Sheldon, IA

Samantha joined the healthcare workforce two years ago as a Certified Nurses Aid (CNA), where she discovered her love for the field. Currently enrolled in @NCC’s Registered Nurse (RN) program, she is setting her sights on transferring to a four-year university to continue her education. With a passion for helping others, she’s sure to find a bright future doing work she loves!

Make A Difference For Community Colleges

What can I do for community colleges?” It takes each and every one of us. That’s why we created an action center, so there’s one spot for all community college supporters to find what they can do today.

Businesses + Community Colleges = New Jobs

Iowa community colleges aren’t only delivering certificates and two-year degrees. Our programs respond to the needs of employers and are described as “tightly link” to regional economic development and labor-force needs. We work with our state’s business and industry––from advanced manufacturing and agriculture to health care, transportation and technology.

Aluma Trailers

Institution: Iowa Lakes Community College Aluma Trailers has added 118 new, highly skilled, jobs to their manufacturing operations in the Iowa Lakes Region over the past 10 years with the

Colewell Automation

Institution: Iowa Valley Community College District Colewell Automation in Montezuma, IA, started with two owners several years ago and now have 11 employees. They are a FANUC-Authorized Systems Integrator company

JBS

Institution: Iowa Valley Community College District JBS in Marshalltown is a pork processing facility owned by JBS USA, a global food company. JBS USA Pork is the 2nd largest fresh

Reasons To Love Community Colleges

Looking around campus, it’s easy to see how loved our community colleges are. Around every corner are examples of vocation, passionand opportunity. But, how do community colleges provide value to the public?

Get updates on events, college news, and policies!

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Events

These statewide gatherings combine inspiration and impact. Check out our year-round touchpoints and when our network will be together next!

Resources

These ongoing resources touch on data collection, student outcomes, workforce development, and more. See if these may be helpful to you in your work!