Advocacy and Policy
State: Legislative Session and Advocacy in Overtime
The 2026 Legislative session is officially in overtime as we have passed the 100th day of session, April 21st. Lawmakers are no longer receiving per diem for their expenses and are having to pay these costs for the remainder of the session. Since Iowa is a citizen-legislature, they are also taking time away from their jobs, communities, and families to continue this work. Don’t forget to thank them for their service to the state when reaching out.
While they are all motivated to wrap things up ASAP, there are still several key outstanding issues that they need/want to tackle before going home, including a resolution on state budgets and property taxes. The chambers have started to pass budgets bills this week, with all but the standings budget getting introduced. However, negotiations on property taxes are ongoing.
Agreements on these issues are still not final, so please continue to advocate for Iowa community colleges! We have three campaigns happening right now that amount to millions of dollars of funding. Be sure to send a message to Tell your Representative and Senator the Impact of Property Tax Reform on Iowa Community Colleges and “Preserve 260E Industrial New Jobs Training Program”. And please encourage folks in your circle who care about community colleges to write a message, too!
Federal: Proposed Accreditation Accountability Rules
The U.S. Department of Education published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on April 20, 2026, that are an interpretation of portions of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act that restructured federal student aid policy. The rules would establish the Student Tuition and Transparency System (STATS) and a new framework for programmatic earnings accountability.
The new accountability framework consolidates three current regulatory systems: replacing the existing Financial Value Transparency framework with STATS, updating Gainful Employment (GE) regulations, and implements the new earnings accountability requirements. Theoretically, creating a unified accountability system that applies the same across all Title IV programs.
Most impactful, is the new earnings accountability requirement that implements an “earnings premium measure,” which compares the earnings of program completers who received Title IV aid against a relevant earnings threshold. Bachelor’s and associate degree holders must earn more than the median earnings of working adults aged 25-34 who only hold a high-school degree. While graduate degree holders must earn more than the median earnings of similarly aged adults who only hold a bachelor’s degree. Programs that fail this test in two consecutive years are considered low-earning and are no longer eligible for the Federal Direct Loan Program. Institutions can appeal the determination from the DE, but they must go through a two-year waiting period before seeking to reestablish eligibility.
The primary difference between STATS and current Financial Value Transparency system is the increase of public disclosure requirements. The ED will maintain a website with program-level data that an institution must link to on any of their webpages containing academic cost, financial aid, or admissions information. Additionally, students must receive this information before enrolling in the institution.
Comments on the proposed rules are due May 20, 2026. Here is a more detailed summary from the National College Attainment Network.
CCforIowa Bulletin
National Community College Month Coming to a Close
As it is the end of April, it is also the end of National Community College Month. Each of our community colleges highlighted student stories, faculty insights, unique programming, and favorite campus moments. And the best part? Our network is focused on celebrating and championing community colleges all year long. Be sure you’re following CCforIowa on your social media platforms (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and X) to see the great work being done across the state!
Check out our college’s spotlights:
60 years of building the Iowa Community College System: Advocate today for decades of impact on Iowans
We are directly connected to more community college advocates than ever before. With our Action Center, it is also easier than ever for any Iowan to speak up for our community colleges. As an anniversary year, it’s important we remember our roots, the role we hold, and why it is our responsibility to put community colleges in the best position we can. Read more about the unique moment we’re in.
Iowa Dept. Of Education: 2025 Condition of Iowa’s Community Colleges
This year’s Iowa Department of Education’s 2025 Annual Condition of Iowa’s Community Colleges was released earlier this month and showed meaningful year-after-year growth for the Iowa Community College System. Here are some highlights:
- Credit enrollment increased by 3.1% over last year, with Iowa residents comprising over 90% of those enrolled.
- The community college’s awarded 10,270 associate degrees (4% increase from last year) and 11,097 certificates and diplomas (13.3% increase from last year).
- 91.0% of Iowa community college graduates were employed within the first year, with 83% of them in Iowa. Our top industries of employment after graduation were healthcare, then retail trade, and manufacturing.
- 50,508 industry certifications were granted, an increase of 20.5% over last year
- Adult education programs served 16,297 students, an increase of over 11% over 5 years
- 51,566 students received Pell grants, up 12.5% from last year
Having this annual data to complement other ways we monitor and examine local and statewide impact helps us better understand how we fulfill our mission and serve Iowans. Read the full report.
AACC Conference 2026
Monique flew to Seattle for this year’s American Association of Community Colleges Conference. With the theme of “Pioneer Minds: Shaping the Future of Education,” Monique returned with great stories and new ideas from collabs with other community colleges associations across the country, along with some new ideas for our own convention and tradeshow!
Summer Trustee Conference: Registration Now Open, Award Nominations Due 5/1
It’s a special year to gather at our annual events with the 60th anniversary of the Iowa Community College System. This milestone conference will honor the past, highlight the present, and look ahead to the future of student success in Iowa.
Help your trustees attend:
- Who: Trustees and Presidents
- When: July 7 (optional afternoon activities), July 8 (day – conference, night – awards), and July 9 (dismissal at lunch for easier travels)
- Where: Iowa Valley Community College District, 3700 S Center St, Marshalltown, IA 50158
- What: Trustees will come together to reflect on six decades of service to students, communities, and the state, while engaging in conversations about the evolving role of governance in strengthening access and opportunity. ACCT President and CEO Jee Hang Lee will join trustees for this special anniversary event.
- Register here
Let’s celebrate our exceptional leaders who have gone above and beyond in support of Iowa’s community colleges. Take a close look at the awards descriptions and complete the nomination process so we can recognize and celebrate these leaders this summer! Now is the time with nominations closing May 1.
Recognize your trustees:
More information about the awards
News
Western Iowa Tech Community College: Dr. Terry Lindsay Approved as WITCC New President
Western Iowa Tech Community College is excited to welcome Dr. Terry Lindsay as their new college president. Dr. Lindsay has 32 years of experience in higher education with demonstrated expertise in key areas such as workforce training, student success, and academic program development. He comes to us from Albany, Georgia where he has served on the Boad of Directors for the Chamber of Commerce and the United Way of Southwest Georgia. Please join us in welcoming Dr. Lindsay! Further details available here.
The Gazette: Iowa property tax bills could ‘devastate’ community colleges
The Iowa legislature is still considering property tax reform bills that propose caps to levies that directly tie to community college funding. “100 percent we understand the pressure that the Legislature is under, it is a devastating impact to us,” said Kirkwood vice president of government and community relations Jasmine Almoayyed.
House File 2745 would limit the growth of all property tax levies for local governments, which would affect Iowa’s community colleges by taking away up to $140 million per year in reliable funding.
The Messenger: Property tax relief shouldn’t come at the expense of Iowa Central
Dr. Jesse Ulrich shares how the property tax bill disproportionately affects community colleges compared to the savings offered to the average Iowa homeowner: 2 to 3 percent of current individuals’ property taxes. The proposed legislation would limit growth on future levies, which make up a large portion of community colleges’ upkeep budget, regardless of future cost increases. Limiting this funding would severely impact the services and growth of Iowa’s community colleges and their ability to serve their communities.
Times-Republican: A small share, a big impact: Why property tax proposals matter to Iowa Valley
Dr. Anne Howsare Boyens shares how the proposed legislation would affect Iowa’s community colleges and the services they offer to students and their communities at large. The funding applies to areas like maintenance and insurance premiums, which are unavoidable and outside individual control. By excluding community colleges from the levy caps the same way K-12 schools are, this bill can reduce yearly expenses for Iowans while ensuring that community colleges can continue to offer accessible, quality education and opportunities amid rising costs.
KICD Northwest Iowa Now: Northwest Career Academy to Shut Down in Laurens
Despite the closure of the Northwest Career Academy in Laurens due to enrollment shifts and new contract requirements, local leaders emphasize that the demand for rural workforce training remains critical. While Iowa Central Community College shuttered the facility after participating districts opted for different training models, recent feedback from counselors and businesses confirmed a persistent student interest in hands-on manufacturing careers. Local manufacturers continue to advocate for these programs to bridge the skills gap, prompting districts like Pocahontas Area to develop new work-based learning models that partner directly with county industries. The academy’s legacy underscores a vital, ongoing need to connect rural Iowa students with local technical trades to sustain the regional economy. Read the full article here.
Iowa Capitol Dispatch: Northeast Iowa Community College to expand healthcare education with new facility
Northeast Iowa Community College is expanding with community support to a new facility that sits closer to the West Delaware County Community School District. The larger facility will provide more immediate access to community college students, as well as high school students enrolling in prerequisite courses and exploring different career paths. In addition, the NICC Certified Nurse Aid lab will increase its number of beds and update its healthcare equipment to give students the most realistic experience possible. Read the full story here.
Illinois Farmer Today: Iowa community college ag students explore Brazil
Agricultural students from Kirkwood Community College spent twelve days in Brazil learning about soybean, coffee, and corn farms in a tour that included the Universidade Federal de Lavras and Cocatrel Coffee Cooperative. Students also got a chance to network with agricultural professionals in Brazil who have worked with Kirkwood for over six years. Read the full article here.
KIMT3 News: NIACC named semifinalist for $1 million Aspen Prize
North Iowa Area Community Colleges has been named a finalist for the 2027 Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence! They are one of 25 semifinalists, selected from over 900 institutions nationwide based on their outcomes data and student success. The Aspen Prize is awarded every 2 years, and comes with $1 million in award money.
Resources
Data in Action Series
A Peek at April’s Session
Focused on “Workforce Alignment and Employer Engagement,” this session will highlight how colleges can leverage labor market data and employer feedback to strengthen programs and align them with workforce needs. Participants will explore tools such as Lightcast Analyst, wage record data, employer surveys, and employer demand data in order to evaluate program relevance and support continuous improvement. The session will also include an update on ongoing work to develop a systemwide approach for assessing college readiness, with additional details to be shared as that work progresses.
Register Now for Spring Sessions
- Thursday, May 14 – 9-10:30 am – Enrollment Management & Strategic Planning
- Monday, June 8 – 12-1:30 pm – Operational Efficiency & Resource Allocation
These topics may be helpful to several departments or positions on each campus. All who are interested are encouraged to attend as we embrace data at every level! Read each session’s description here.
Tools: Quick Clicks for Quick Information
Here are links to our most in-demand resources:
