Advocacy and Policy
State:
The Iowa Department of Education has released a “letter to the field” in which they summarize legislation that passed during the 2026 legislative session. The legislation is broken up by the state’s education system priorities: supporting the teacher pipeline, strengthening early literacy and numeracy, narrowing gaps, empowering multiple pathways to success, and promoting safe and healthy work environments. This provides an easy way to find what legislation passed, and its impact, depending on your area of interest. In addition to the legislation summaries, the “letter” also includes summaries of the appropriations, related but not education specific legislation, vetoed legislation, and resources for implementing the more significant legislation that was passed. Future rounds of implementation resources for other bills may be released, and the document will be updated to reflect these additional resources.
The State Board of Education, during their August 13 meeting, released the Notice of Intended Action (NIOA) to amend Chapter 21. The proposed rulemaking is to implement House File 2610, which passed during the 2026 legislative session and establishes a statewide common course numbering system and a statewide lower division general education framework for Iowa community colleges. The proposed rules establish processes for identifying equivalent courses, assigning common course numbers, developing common course descriptions and learning outcomes, and implementing a common lower division general education framework. A public hearing on the proposed rules will take place September 22, from 8:00-9:00am. Interested individuals can make public comment at the hearing or provide written comment up until September 22 at 4:30pm.
Make sure you are signed up for Quorum to stay up to date on all things government relations and legislative session. This is our grassroots advocacy platform that helps you keep up to date with what we’re tracking during session, send messages to your legislators on important issues, and get involved with advocating for your college and community! We will be launching another “sign-up drive” asking you to have your friends and colleagues register as everyone returns to campus from summer, so keep an eye out for that. Thank you to all who have already signed up. Your strong support and engagement throughout this past legislative session ensured that the voice of community colleges was heard.
Federal:
The U.S. Congress is currently in its August recess. This is a time when federal lawmakers get to return to their home states to engage with their constituents, highlight the accomplishment they made throughout the session, and campaign ahead of the upcoming elections. This is a great opportunity for community college leaders to establish and build up your relationships with your members of Congress.
U.S. Department of Education Call to Action: Early last week, on August 3rd, the U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon issued a national call to action to university presidents and governing boards to drive essential reforms in higher education. Yesterday, August 12, the American Association of Community Colleges and the American Association of State Colleges and Universities provided a joint response sharing their perspectives on the call to action. In response, they outline the many ways that our institutions are already committed to carrying out the very actions called for in the letter and enjoy higher public confidence and trust thanks to their focus on student success. You can read more of their response here.
Appropriations: The Federal fiscal year ends on September 30. To avoid a government shutdown, Congress must either pass their appropriation bills for the next federal fiscal year, or a continuing resolution (CR) bill, commonly called a stopgap bill which provides short-term funding to the government, before September 30. Given that neither chamber is close to passing their appropriation bills, both instead passed their own CR bill prior to leaving for the August recess. The House’s bill provides funding through December 4, whereas the Senate’s bill provides funding through December 11 and includes a provision to block the Office of Management and Budget proposed rules on federal grantmaking. The chambers are scheduled to return early- and mid-September, and we can expect conversations around this to pick back up.
Although the immediate focus is on the continuing resolutions, work on the appropriation bills is still ongoing. One of the most pressing issues for Higher Education is the Pell Grant program facing a cumulative $16.9B budget shortfall for FY26 and FY27, according to the Congressional Budget Office. This is particularly important for Iowa because nearly 1 in 4 Iowa college students are on a Pell Grant. Unfortunately, we are unlikely to see any decisions regarding FY27 funding until December of this year.
Accreditation Negotiated Rulemaking: The proposed rule on Accreditation, Innovation, and Modernization is expected to be noticed any day in the next couple of weeks for public comment, with final regulations anticipated by November 1. The proposed rules are expected to include the May consensus language. Which included the following recommendations:
- Easier for institutions to change accreditors
- Greater competition among accrediting agencies
- New expectations for transfer credit and prior learning
- Additional emphasis on academic freedom and research integrity
- New rule would start July 1, 2027.
Transfer of Programs out of ED: The House Education and Workforce Committee previously approved a package of 10 bill that would codify the shift of U.S. Department of Education programs to other federal agencies. Excluded from these bills was the transfer of the ED civil rights enforcement to the DOJ and special education to HHS. We are unlikely to see approval from the Senate on these changes.
CCforIowa Bulletin
NEW! Response Requested: A Question for You
While this newsletter succeeds in being informative, we’d also love to be more engaging. We’re curious about what’s on your mind. Starting with this edition, our newsletter will prompt a question and share themes and insights from responses. Help us answer:
What is one thing you noticed or learned recently that surprised you or changed your thinking?
Iowa ACTE Award of Merit Presented to Kim Dreaden with Indian Hills Community College
Join us in celebrating Kim Dreaden, Associate Dean of Advanced Technologies at Indian Hills Community College, who has been selected as a recipient of the 2026 Iowa ACTE Award of Merit. This high distinction is presented to individuals who embody outstanding service, strategic leadership, and unwavering dedication to Career and Technical Education across the state of Iowa.
As an ACTE NextLevel Fellow and Past President of Iowa ACTE, Kim has been instrumental in modernizing our association’s governance and strengthening post-secondary CTE connections statewide. During her time on the board, she spearheaded the search for a new Executive Director, established an advisory panel of past presidents, led critical strategic planning initiatives, and re-energized community college engagement with Iowa ACTE.
In her nomination, colleagues highlighted the clarity, structure, and vision Kim brings to statewide CTE leadership:
“Kim looks at the big picture and breaks it down into clear, achievable goals. She embodies the heart of Iowa ACTE and always puts the interests of members first… Thanks to Kim, our post-secondary career and technical educators and community colleges are more connected than ever.”
We are deeply grateful for Kim’s contributions to our state association, and we wanted to share this achievement with her campus leadership so you may join us in celebrating her well-deserved recognition!
Follow Iowa ACTE on Facebook for future announcements.
CCforIowa’s New Website Coming Soon
An invitation will be in your inbox this month to log into our new and improved member portal. That’s right: all the features you love, with a new sleek design, plus new ways to collaborate! More information (and directions!) will be shared about the transition through individual emails.
Convention and Tradeshow: Early Bird + Group Discounts Available Now
Now is the time to take advantage of the early bird and groups discounts before they end on Oct. 4. Get the convention and tradeshow on your team’s calendar and let us know you plan to join us later this fall. With any questions about tickets and registration, please contact our Director of Strategic Initiatives and Partnerships Monique Ellefson at mellefson@ccforiowa.org. Register here.
2026 Tickets & Prices
|
Ticket Type |
Start Date |
End Date |
Price |
|
Group 10+ Discount Rate |
Jul. 1 |
Oct. 4 |
$300 |
|
Convention + Awards (Early Bird) |
Jul. 1 |
Oct. 4 |
$350 |
|
Convention + Awards (Regular Rate) |
Oct. 5 |
Nov. 22 |
$450 |
|
Awards Dinner Only |
Sep. 1 |
Nov. 22 |
$100 |
|
Pre-Convention Leadership Meeting (Lunch) |
Sep. 1 |
Nov. 22 |
$15 |
|
Additional Sponsor Registration |
Jul. 1 |
Nov. 22 |
$450 |
Outstanding Community College Awards: Nominations Open
It’s time to recognize the amazing people who keep Iowa’s community colleges accessible, affordable, and agile! Awardees will be honored at our Convention and Tradeshow in December. Nominate your outstanding faculty, staff, business and industry partners, alumni, and advocates now through September 25.
Job Opportunities: What better place to work than at an Iowa community college?
No one knows better than our own network how great it is to work in a supportive, innovative, and collaborative place like an Iowa community college. Positions searching for candidates span faculty to operations to administration and beyond. If you know a talented and passionate Iowans who may be interested in a new chapter of their career at a community college, have them check out these job boards/listings:
- Northeast Iowa Community College (Dubuque/Calmar/Peosta/Cresco/Oelwein/Manchester/Waukon)
- North Iowa Area Community College (Mason City)
- Iowa Lakes Community College (Estherville/ Emmetsburg/Spirit Lake)
- Northwest Iowa Community College (Sioux Center/Sheldon)
- Iowa Central Community College (Fort Dodge)
- Iowa Valley Community College District (Marshalltown/Iowa Falls/Grinnell)
- Hawkeye Community College (Waterloo)
- Eastern Iowa Community Colleges (Muscatine/Clinton/Bettendorf)
- Kirkwood Community College (Cedar Rapids)
- Des Moines Area Community College (Central Iowa)
- Western Iowa Tech Community College (Sioux City/Denison)
- Iowa Western Community College (Council Bluffs/ Clarinda/ Harlan/ Atlantic/ Missouri Valley)
- Southwestern Community College (Creston)
- Indian Hills Community College (Ottumwa)
- Southeastern Iowa Community College (West Burlington/ Keokuk)
Does your campus want specific job opportunities highlighted? Email marketing@ccforiowa.org to be featured.
Student Success Story: Meet Janna
Meet Janna: started as a kid who loved animals, became a student passionate about vet care… and soon to be in a vet office near you! 👋💉
Her big heart for our furry friends made pursuing an Associate of Applied Science the clear choice to start her career as a veterinary technician. She found kindred spirits in her classmates and rose to serve as the Vice President of the Iowa Lakes Veterinary Technician Club. After graduation, she plans to stay in Iowa and at her hometown vet clinic.
Janna was recognized for her leadership and academic achievement when named to the Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society’s 2026 All-Iowa Academic Team. Thanks for all your hard work, Janna!
Follow along with and share this student series through CCforIowa’s social media channels!
News
Association of Community College Trustees: Public Says Community Colleges Provide Access, Affordability, and Quality
In a recent Gallup poll, community colleges received extremely positive feedback for providing accessible, quality education across the country. Some highlights from the ratings include:
Access: 68% of Americans rate two-year colleges excellent or good at providing access to education for people from all backgrounds.
Quality: 61% rate the quality of education positively — more than 10 points ahead of four-year institutions.
Affordability: 54% call two-year colleges affordable, compared with just 12% for four-year institutions — a striking 42-point gap.
Workforce preparation: 52% give positive marks, again outpacing four-year colleges.
Read the full article here.
U.S. Department of Education: U.S. Department of Education Approves the Nation’s First Workforce Pell Grant Program in Iowa
Iowa made history August 4 as the first state to roll out the Workforce Pell Grant, part of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act meant to strengthen the workforce.“After decades of debate and a lot of hard work, Workforce Pell is finally here – opening up new opportunities for students to use their Pell Grants on programs that will help them jumpstart their careers,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon. Read the full article here.
Iowa Public Radio: Education Secretary McMahon visits Iowa to roll out federal Workforce Pell Grant program
Iowa Central Community College welcomed Governor Reynolds and U.S. Secretary of Education McMahon to celebrate the new opportunities afforded thanks to the Workforce Pell Grant. Iowa became the first state in the nation to open applications for the new grant funding in April 2026, and a new EMT training course at Iowa Central is the first program funded by the new structure. Read the full article here.
Iowa Public Radio: Education Secretary McMahon visits Iowa to roll out federal Workforce Pell Grant program
Iowa Central Community College welcomed Governor Reynolds and U.S. Secretary of Education McMahon to celebrate the new opportunities afforded thanks to the Workforce Pell Grant. Iowa became the first state in the nation to open applications for the new grant funding in April 2026, and a new EMT training course at Iowa Central is the first program funded by the new structure. Read the full article here.
Iowa Capital Dispatch: Northeast Iowa Community College receives grant for electrical training expansion
An expansion to the electrical training program offers Northeast Iowa Community College students a new opportunity for advanced certification. Thanks to an award of $420,000 from the Lowe’s Foundation, NICC will open a new electrical lab in Peosta to provide hands-on learning and greater access to their electrician program within their service area. Read the full story here.
Iowa Capital Dispatch: Iowa community colleges to use state grants for new regional career training centers
Two Iowa community colleges will establish new regional centers thanks to $2 million in grants from the Career Academy Incentive Fund. Iowa Western Community College and Ellsworth Community College (part of Iowa Valley Community College District) will expand their reach and offer distant students a new chance to learn closer to home.
Governor Reynolds stated, “When students have more opportunities to explore careers, earn credentials and gain real world experience while they’re still in high school, we build the next generation of workforce leaders in our communities.” Read the full article here.
KIMT 3: Adults 55+ find community and classes at new NICC program
Adults 55 and older in and around Calmar, Iowa have a new opportunity to stay connected with the new WISE (Wisdom, Inspiration, Social, Experiences) program from Northeast Iowa Community College. The program offers activities groups by interest, with topics ranging from historical education to crafting workshops to health and wellness classes. The first event kicks off this September with a focus on the card game 13 Skadoo, and is open to all skill levels and includes snacks for participants. Get more details here.
Iowa Capital Dispatch: State-contracted report shows broad access to higher education in Iowa
In response to requests for Iowa community colleges to offer bachelors degrees, the state contracted the National Center for Higher Education Management Systems (NCHEMS) to generate a report on Iowa’s post-secondary educational landscape. The report was released to the Iowa Department of Education on June 25, commenting on the report once Iowa Capital Dispatch submitted a public records request. The 119 page report details Iowa’s need for connected educational institutions that can reach remote areas of the state. Discussion continues regarding whether Iowa’s ‘education deserts’ are a motivator for individuals to seek their education and careers outside the state. Read the full article here.
The Hechinger Report: Facing political attack and falling enrollment, colleges take the fight to … each other
The Hechinger Report discusses how Illinois’ struggle to pass legislation allowing community colleges to offer bachelors degrees is one Iowa shares, with opposition from private institutions. The report also notes that the growing competition between higher educational institutions is in some cases confusing students and working against the overall goal of educating and preparing the next generation’s workforce, concluding that the offer of quality education is the most important factor institutions and potential students alike should consider.
Read the full report here.
Resources
Bellwether Award: Applications Open
Applications are open for the 2027 Bellwether Awards, in which 30 community colleges from across the country are considered based on exemplary programs in instructional programs and service; planning, governance, and finance; or workforce development. The finalists have a chance to win one of three awards showcasing the strongest and more comprehensive explanation of their program and their response to a critical issue. The application deadline is September 15, 2026. Learn more and apply here!
American Association of Community College’s Weekly Series, the “CC Minute”
The Iowa Legislature is adjourned for the year, but legislative news is still coming from the U.S. Congress. To keep all of us in the loop but not overwhelmed with national news, ACCT releases its “CC Minute” every Monday to give just 60 seconds from the national perspective. It’s not too late to catch this week’s video, which unpacks federal funding extension, the labor secretary nomination, and more! Watch here.
