Advocacy and Policy
State:
Iowa Industrial New Jobs Training Program (260E) Interim Study Committee
Last week the 260E Interim Study Committee, created by HF 2799 and charged with reviewing the 260E program, met for the first time to lay out the rules and responsibilities of the committee. The membership of the committee is made of Iowa state representatives and senators, representatives from IWD, IEDA, and the Governor’s office, businesses who have used the program, a business who has not, and community college representatives.
The members serving on behalf of the Iowa’s community colleges are:
- John Hartog, President, Northwest Iowa Community College
- Kristie Fisher, President, Kirkwood Community College
- Wayne Patini, VP of Economic Development, Southwestern Community College
The group will meet next on November 16 for a day long deep dive on the program, reviewing and discussing the various aspects outlined in the bill, including the strengths and weaknesses for participants, job creation and employee retention, relevance of training offered, and more. Following this discussion, a final report with the findings and recommendations from the committee is due to the legislature by December 15, 2026.
The community colleges have submitted information to assist in the committee’s review of the program, which can be found here.
Industrial New Jobs Training (260E) Rulemaking
Last month, Iowa Workforce Development (IWD) published the regulatory analysis proposing new rules for the 260E Program. There was a public hearing and Administrative Rules Review Committee (ARRC) meeting where Community Colleges for Iowa staff spoke about our colleges’ and business partners’ concerns. Since then, the proposed rules were “noticed”, the next step in the rule making process, with no changes made to the proposed rules.
This week, October 12th, the Administrative Rules Review Committee met again, and called the 260E proposed rules up for discussion. Emily Shields, our Executive Director, testified on behalf of Iowa’s community colleges. You can read her full remarks here. Public comment on the rules remains open until 4:30pm on October 20, so please consider engaging through the steps outlined here.
November Election
Early voting in Iowa officially began on October 14, for the 2026 general election happening on November 3. To vote early, and on election day, you must be registered to vote. Fortunately, there are a couple of ways you can do so if you haven’t already:
- Iowa offers same-day registration (for early voting and on election day), meaning you can arrive at your polling place with an accepted form of ID and proof of residence, get registered, and vote.
- Iowa also offers online registration through the Iowa DOT, requiring individuals to use their Iowa driver’s license.
- Iowans can also register by filling out a voter registration form, and either mailing or returning it to their county auditor’s office.
With early voting open, Iowans can start voting at in-person locations. Iowa county auditors can host in-person early voting sites at their office and designated satellite polling locations. Locations, information and hours can be found on the websites of voters’ county auditor’s offices. Find your local county auditor here.
The opening of early voting also means county auditor offices will start sending out requested absentee ballots for mail in voting. To vote by mail, a voter must submit an absentee ballot request to their local county auditor’s office prior to 5:00pm on Monday, October 19. Completed mail in ballots must be received by the county auditor’s office by 8:00pm on November 3 – when election day polling closes.
Constitutional Amendment 1
On the ballot this November 3 is also a proposed constitutional amendment. The amendment would require approval of two-thirds of both chambers of the legislature to pass a bill that would raise the individual or corporate income tax rate or create a new income tax.
This means 67 members of the House of Representatives and 34 members of the Senate would need to vote in favor of raising income taxes for it to become law
| A YES vote | A NO vote |
| A yes vote means supporting the amendment and requiring a two-thirds supermajority in both chambers to pass a bill to increase income taxes. | A no vote means rejecting the amendment and requiring a simple majority in both chambers to pass a bill to increase income taxes remains. |
There are no explicit changes to community college funding in the amendment. Nonetheless, if the amendment were to pass, it would make it more difficult for state lawmakers to increase income taxes in the case that the state needs additional revenue to meet it’s obligations. Meaning, this could impact community college funding when state resources are limited and lawmakers can’t increase revenue and must make tough decisions about how to fund various state programs, like education and healthcare.
Federal:
2026 ACCT Leadership Congress
Next week the Community Colleges for Iowa team will be in Chicago for the 2026 ACCT Leadership Congress. This event serves as a gathering ground for over 1,600 community college trustees and presidents, as well as leaders from philanthropic organizations, government agencies, and national non-profits. It provides a platform to exchange initiatives, successes, and concerns crucial to leading community colleges.
This year’s Congress will focus on how community college trustees, presidents, and senior leaders can lead meaningful change while centering care, responsibility, and long-term impact. As institutions navigate rapid technological advances, evolving workforce demands, enrollment shifts, and increasing mental and operational strain, effective leadership requires both bold vision and thoughtful stewardship.
If you and other members from your college are attending, be sure to reach out and let the team know!
CCforIowa Bulletin
Sign Up Drive: Iowa counts on community colleges. Can we count on you?
While there are some unknowns in the political landscape right now––we won’t learn which lawmakers we’ll be working with until the elections are over, and each party’s priorities won’t be announced until closer to the start of session––we know for certain what is the best use of our time right now: growing this network of informed and ready advocates.
Could you help us spread the word?
- Send a text to community college supporters you know (including students and graduates!)
- Add to emails you’re already sending to others who work for or with community colleges
- Post (or repost) on social media (tag us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn)
Send this link: https://bit.ly/ccforiowaadvocate
Send any message you want! Most often, we see advocates say something like: “I signed up to be an advocate for community colleges. This is a statewide effort to make a difference at the Iowa Capitol, which includes decisions that affect tuition rates, scholarships available, and programs offered. This helps all community college students and campuses across Iowa.”
Every voice counts––thank you for using yours!
Are you in our Member Portal? Make the most of our new website!
Our new website means more tools for you! One feature we’ve taken to the next level is our Member Portal. This is a space for community college employees to connect and collaborate with each other. Before you can check it out, you need to make sure you’re registered and able to sign in.
Not in our member portal yet? You can register here. Submit the form, look for an email from our staff that you’re approved, and then explore!
Already registered for our member portal? You can sign in here. If you’ve had a login before but have not been on our new website, you may select “Forgot Your Password” to gain access. All other account information was transferred on your behalf.
With any questions about the website, please email info@ccforiowa.org.
Convention & Tradeshow Updates with December Approaching Fast
Breakout/Workshop Session Speakers & Topics Announced
One of the best parts of this state-focused event is the opportunity to learn from fellow community college professionals and higher education leaders in Iowa. Whether you’re looking for fresh strategies, new research, practical examples, or simply a chance to think differently about the work you do, there are “aha” moments ahead of us. See session descriptions here!
2026 Tickets & Prices
The clock is ticking to purchase your ticket! Professional development like none other: there’s no better place to deepen your work and impact than with the network you lean on, collaborate with, and grow alongside. Just a little over a month to let us know you’re coming. Register to attend here!
| 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.
What is one thing you noticed or learned recently that surprised you or changed your thinking about community colleges?
How has your perspective on community colleges changed in the last year? In this brief form, submit your answer. We will share responses in this newsletter and on social media!
Student Success Story: Meet Julia
Meet Julia: protecting the planet required returning to school.
For Julia, becoming a parent put the need for a healthy Earth into a whole new perspective. While she always loved the great outdoors, she now saw her role in clean water, rich soil, and fresh air. Julie loves the saying, “the best time to plant a tree was 10 years ago, the next best time is now.” That’s what led her to enroll at Hawkeye Community College for an associate’s degree in environmental sciences and continue her education at the University of Northern Iowa.
Julia 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, Julia!
Follow along with and share this student series through CCforIowa’s social media channels!
News
Iowa Community Colleges Receive Largest Grant in the Country from U.S. Department of Labor’s Strengthening Community Colleges Training Grants Fund: $10.8 Million for Iowa STRONG Initiative
It’s all over the news: The U.S. Department of Labor has awarded $10,800,000 to a program focused on expanding short-term training programs and developing Workforce Pell-eligible programs at Iowa’s community colleges–the largest award from this fund in the country.
Administered by the department’s Employment and Training Administration, this sixth round of Strengthening Community Colleges Training Grants funding is awarded to statewide community college systems, or a consortia of community colleges to ensure effective development and expansion of the new programs and support the statewide coordination that is necessary for successful implementation of Workforce Pell Grants.
“This is important to Iowa because it connects federal investment, community college training, and the state’s workforce needs in a very direct way,” said Community Colleges for Iowa Executive Director Emily Shields. “Iowa is investing in a workforce training system that starts with what employers need and builds accessible pathways for Iowans to gain those skills.”
Iowa’s project, named Iowa STRONG (Systems, Training, and Resources for Opportunity, Navigation, and Growth) is a united effort between Iowa’s community colleges, the Iowa Department of Education, and Iowa Workforce Development (IWD). Hawkeye Community College will manage statewide implementation of the program, which aims to develop more than 50 Workforce Pell-eligible training programs in advanced manufacturing, construction and skilled trades, and healthcare by 2030.
“The federal investment in Workforce Pell is a huge step in creating a highly skilled workforce our employers need and preparing Iowans for high-demand and high-paying jobs,” said Todd Holcomb. “With the Iowa STRONG project, we are not only expanding short-term pathways into high-demand careers, but also establishing the robust data infrastructure needed to track outcomes, measure success, and ensure our training continues to meet the evolving needs of our workforce.”
The funding significantly contributes to national efforts to rapidly and effectively meet the hiring needs of employers, while also filling critical gaps in high-demand sectors, supporting skill gains, and worker mobility. These awards also break down existing silos between education and state workforce systems, with improved data integration, a key component of this round of funding.
Catch our news coverage:
- Iowa Capital Dispatch: “Hawkeye Community College to lead Workforce Pell program expansion initiative”
- KQWC: “U.S. Department of Labor Awards $10.8 Million Grant to Iowa Community Colleges to Develop Training Pathways Aligned with Employer Demand”
- Sioux County Radio: “NCC Receives $385,427 to Expand Workforce Training in Northwest Iowa”
- Quad City Regional Business Journal: “EICC to get $817,000 for training programs”
- Iowa’s News Now: “Hawkeye Community College to lead $10.8M Iowa workforce training initiative”
- Cedar Valley Now: “Hawkeye Community College To Lead $10.8M Iowa Workforce Training Program”
Community College Daily: The next step in dual enrollment: career pathways
With college enrollment rates in decline, especially among young men, career pathways that bridge the high school-post-secondary gap are becoming more and more relevant to families and students today. Career and technical education courses (CTE) offered at the high school level are connecting students with career pathways before they graduate, and dual enrollment with local community colleges is the next step toward ensuring students are set up for success in completing their education. A report from Community Colleges Daily shows data from 12 districts across the country that use dual enrollment in different ways, including Eastern Iowa Community College’s career academies and connections with local employers.
Resources
CCforIowa’s Resources: Student Outcomes
Why do community colleges matter? This resource from the Iowa Department of Education, Workforce Regents, and Workforce Development shows the data behind our mission. From joint enrollment to the fact that 83.4% of students who complete a community college program are employed in their field within one year of graduation, you can see how Iowa’s community colleges benefit students, the workforce, and the state every day. Check out Iowa’s community college outcomes here!
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, who serves as the college’s primary academic officer, providing vision and leadership in directing and overseeing the work of all faculty and ancillary academic activities.
- 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) — Now hiring a Vice President of Finance and Chief Financial Officer who will serve as the District’s chief financial officer and a member of the executive leadership team, providing strategic leadership in all financial aspects of Iowa Valley Community College District.
- 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) — Now hiring a TRIO Program Administrator who will direct and oversee the implementation of DMACC TRIO Student Support Services (TRIO-SSS) and TRIO Upward Bound (TRIO-UB) grants.
- 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) — Now hiring a Chief Financial Officer who will provide leadership for financial strategy and use of college resources.
- Southeastern Iowa Community College (West Burlington/ Keokuk)
Does your campus want specific job opportunities highlighted? Email marketing@ccforiowa.org to be featured.
