Advocacy and Policy

State:  

Industrial New Jobs Training (260E) Rules Hearings 

Earlier this month, September 8^th, Iowa Workforce Development (IWD) held a public hearing on their published regulatory analysis; which proposes new rules for the 260E program. Additionally, on Monday, September 14^th, the Administrative Rules Review Committee held their first public reading of the rules. These are the first steps in the rules making process and necessary as the law, HF 2799, passed during last session, requires updating the rules to administer the changes made.  

The proposed rules would:  

• Exclude leadership, communication, team-building, and supervisory training from eligible training.  

• Require an upfront match from employers of 30% of program costs.  

• Establish an approval process through IWD over agreements for the release of training dollars.  

• Reduces the administrative fee for community colleges to 7%.  

During the September 8^th public hearing, Emily Shields, our Executive Director, provided comments on our concerns with the proposed changes. Additionally, we submitted more detailed written comments with our concerns that can be seen here. Similarly, during the September 14^th reading of the rules, Ryan Roberts, our Director of Government Relations, provided comments reiterating our concerns with the proposed changes.  

The rules are expected to be officially noticed next week. We will share updates as the process continues. 

Federal:  

U.S Department of Education (ED) proposed rules on accreditation and grants 

Last month the U.S. Department of Education released proposed rules on accreditation and grants. The deadline for submitting comments on these was Monday, September 21, and Wednesday, September 23, respectfully.  Community Colleges for Iowa submitted public comments on behalf of the 15 community colleges outlining the areas we support, as well as where we have concerns. You can read our full comments here: accreditation and grants.  

AACC Advocates in Action 2026 

Ryan Roberts, our Director of Government Relations, was in Washington D.C. earlier this month for the 2026 AACC Advocates in Action. The two-day programs offered attending community college leaders an opportunity for an insider’s view on how Washington formulates higher education policy and to increase their involvement in the federal legislative process. There was also an interactive session with key executive branch officials and senior Congressional staff who provided insights about the current dynamics and issues surrounding key funding and other pending legislation.  

We are looking at whether colleges are interested in having some of their leaders also join for next year’s Advocates in Action. In addition to the programming offered by AACC, we would schedule meetings with our Congressional members while there. We will also continue to support the February National Legislative Seminar hosted by ACCT. 

ACCT Community College Coalition in DC 

Jesse Ulrich, President of Iowa Central Community College, was out in Washington D.C. earlier this month as a panelist for the ACCT and Community College Coalition hosted congressional briefing: Strengthening America’s Workforce pipeline: The Role of Community College in Federal Education and Workforce Involvement. The briefing highlighted the essential role community colleges play in preparing workers, supporting local economies, and advancing domestic job creation. A full press release on the event can be found here.  

While there, President Ulrich had the opportunity to meet with Iowa Congressional members and Ranking Member of the House Education and Workforce Committee Bobby Scott (VA-03). 

CCforIowa Bulletin 

CCforIowa New Website + Office Hours 

Member Portal Users: You should have received an email requesting that you change your password for the new site! All the current information in the member portal, including which Leadership & Affinity Groups you belong to, should have been carried over. This may be a good time to review that your information is up to date. 

Leadership & Affinity Group Chairs/Members: Each group now has a collaborative space for discussion and shared files through Google Docs, including guides with step-by-step instructions. These are tools to look forward to using as you get more comfortable with the new system and meet throughout the fall! 

Office Hours: In addition to providing step-by-step guides on the new website layout and features, our team is hosting office hours to provide personalized, real-time support. Mark your calendar from 11 am-1 pm on October 7 (video link). 

Support: Please email info@ccforiowa.org for any website-related requests or questions. 

Convention and Tradeshow: Early Bird + Group Discounts Available Now 

Less than 2 weeks remaining for early bird and group rates, ending Oct. 4! The statewide conversations at our Convention and Tradeshow engage community college employees in a wide range of positions, from marketing to faculty to leadership. December will come fast: decide who is attending from your campus and 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

With any questions about tickets and registration, please contact our Director of Strategic Initiatives and Partnerships Monique Ellefson at mellefson@ccforiowa.org. 

Outstanding Community College Awards: Nominations Open 

Nominations close tomorrow for our annual Outstanding Community College Awards! These awards, presented at our annual Convention and Tradeshow, are a special opportunity to spotlight the excellence of institutions and our greater network. Each of our 15 community college selects a member of their faculty and a member of their staff to recognize. Additionally, there are competitive statewide awards for key stakeholders and leaders. Note that nominations are often managed and submitted by the President’s Office at each institution. Learn more about the nomination process and submit your nomination before September 25! 

Response Requested: A Question for You 

We want to hear from you! While this newsletter has primarily focuses on sharing information, we also have the opportunity to have statewide conversations and connections year-round. In this brief form, submit yoru answer: 

What is one thing you noticed or learned recently that surprised you or changed your thinking? 

Job Opportunities: What better place to work than at an Iowa community college? 

Working for a community college means strengthening the entire community around you! Colleges across Iowa are looking for faculty, staff, and operations positions. 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) — now hiring a Vice President of Academic Affairs 

• 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/Coralville/Hiawatha/Monticello/Vinton/Washington/Williamsburg) 

• 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. 

Call for Student Stories 

Our new website has dedicated space to showcase student journeys, and we are looking to collect a wider variety of students to feature! We want Iowans to see themselves in the student stories and think about how valuable CCs are to our communities for creating these opportunities and connections. Thanks for your help in bringing this work to life and showcasing student success! 

How to submit: 

Send an email to marketing@ccforiowa.org with: 

• Subject: Student Story – [Institution Name] 

• Body: 

• Student’s First and Last Name 

• Intuition Name 

• Hometown 

• Area of Study/Credential Being Pursued OR Type of Program (260E, etc.) 

• Brief Written Bio OR Link to Published Story (Article, Social Media Post, etc.) 

• JPEG with Student Headshot 

• Multiple stories in a single email are welcome; let us know how we can make this easy for you! 

Student Success Story: Meet Abshiro 

Meet Abshiro: her big plans have her learning, earning, and working her way through healthcare settings. ❤️ 

Her two years of exemplary coursework at Iowa Central Community College were just the beginning. With her associate degree in nursing, she’s ready to start her career in Iowa City while continuing her education. Next up: a bachelor’s degree from the University of Iowa.  

Abshiro 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, Abshiro! 

 Follow along with and share this student series through CCforIowa’s social media channels! 

News 

Open Campus: Iowa invests millions each year in regional career centers. What does that mean for rural students? 

Emily Lytle, a rural engagement reporter for Open Campus, explores the connections between Iowa’s community colleges and high schools, specifically focusing on how regional centers make education more accessible for rural students. Thanks to the Career Academy Incentive Fund and other similar funding, Iowa’s community colleges are able to plan and offer career academies, providing students with training and skills that let them enter the workforce without having to move away from home. These academies also offer the chance for high school students to graduate with certifications already under their belt, as they can take concurrent enrollment courses to earn credits and gain experience while they are still in high school. 

More details here. 

Northwest Iowa Community College Sets Fall Enrollment Record 

Northwest Iowa Community College broke its enrollment record for the third year in a row, with 2,068 students for Fall 2026. This is an increase of 2.94 percent over last year’s enrollment. NWICC President Dr. John Hartog stated that families are taking a closer look at the value in higher education, and much of the growth is thanks to the career and technical education programs that align with regional workforce demands. Read the full story here. 

Community College Daily: Rolling out Workforce Pell 

Iowa Central Community College was the first in the nation to roll out the Workforce Pell Grant program. The college is increasing access to the EMT program, which is covered by the grant, by reaching out to employer partners such as emergency service departments and regional hospitals to raise awareness and allow community members to gain and expand their skills. Read more here. 

Iowa State Daily: Pestka: More students should consider junior college instead of university 

Columnist Nathan Pestka explains the considerations surrounding higher education for traditional students, including the stigma associated with attending community or junior colleges. While many community colleges offer the same credits and education as state universities, the attitude toward the smaller schools may encourage high school graduates to attend a larger university. Pestka advises those considering the choice to take the excellent quality of education, lower prices, and accessible locations of community colleges into account when making their decision. More details here. 

The Daily Iowan: Iowa law aims to simplify college credit transfers 

Governor Kim Reynolds signed House File 2610 into law during the 2026 legislative session, which regulates course numbering and prerequisite classes between community colleges and state universities in Iowa. This legislation’s goal is to make transferring from community colleges to state universities simpler and more accessible, meaning students pursuing degrees and certification in fields such as healthcare will take corequisite classes, which align more closely with their area of study. Additionally, students completing prerequisite courses at community colleges have a guarantee that those credits will transfer to a state university within Iowa. The Iowa Department of Education and the Board of Regents will submit a study on the implementation of the common course numbering system. More information here. 

KCCI: Polk County launches program to help inmates build life and workforce skills 

Polk County  Sheriff’s Office is joining a nationwide program called I.G.N.I.T.E. (Inmate Growth Naturally and Intentionally Through Education) to give inmates opportunities to gain life skills and workforce training while they are incarcerated. The program focuses on life skills including mathematics, science, English language arts, as well as job certification in career paths including construction, agriculture, STEM, and business management to reduce recidivism once inmates are released. More information from KCCI here. A full overview of the original program here. 

Resources 

CCforIowa’s Resources Listed on Website 

Whether you’re looking for data, research, workforce information, or resources to help inform your work, the Community Colleges for Iowa Resources page brings together helpful tools in one place. Employees can find Iowa-specific enrollment and student outcomes data, benchmarking resources, state and federal reports, research on community college issues, workforce development information, and more. The page is designed to make it easier to find credible information you can use to inform decisions, strengthen programs, support students, and better understand the issues affecting Iowa’s community colleges. Visit our Resources page here.