Iowa Valley Grinnell is focused on partnerships
Tuesday / December 8, 2015
MaryAnne Nickle
By MaryAnne Nickle
It surprises me when I occasionally meet people who appear not to know about Iowa Valley Grinnell! This satellite campus of Marshalltown Community College celebrated its 20th anniversary a couple of years ago. We’ve been located at our current site since 2002, with an expansion in 2008 that doubled the size of the building.
Over the last five years, this campus has developed several programs in response to community needs. In 2011 approval was received from the Iowa Department of Education to establish a Paralegal program, and then it expanded into an online format serving students from across the state. In 2012, an Automotive Repair Technician program was implemented through a partnership with Wes Finch Auto Plaza and other local dealerships. That was followed in 2013 by our Gunsmith Technology program, the first such program within several nearby states, spurred by encouragement and support of the local Brownells company. Last year, our Culinary Apprenticeship program was established in partnership with Grinnell College Dining Services and local chefs. Like at MCC, an Associate in Arts (AA) degree continues to be offered with both on-campus and online courses.
Another valuable academic service this campus provides to our community includes the concurrent enrollment program for local high schools. Over the last five years, enrollment has grown to more than 250 students each semester, in partnership with our local school districts. These students will graduate from high school with college credits that can be applied toward their Associate degree. Some will enroll with us after high school graduation to complete their degree, others will transfer the credits to another college, and still others will complete an Associate in Applied Science (AAS) degree and move directly into a job.
Through the Continuing Education division of Iowa Valley Community College District, the Grinnell campus has hosted a variety of courses, including English as a Second Language, High School Equivalency Diploma and Testing, and community interest courses … everything from cooking classes for kids to gardening on the prairie to wine tasting and tea making. Other programs offered by IVCE include a variety of customized training programs provided to business and industry for their current or new employees.
The consistent theme at Iowa Valley Grinnell is community partnerships. Our programs are developed to meet the needs expressed from businesses. Frequently, those same businesses become partners to make the programs successful – whether it is contributions of funds, kitchens or mechanic bays, or expertise. Building community partnerships is a key element in the Iowa Valley Community College District strategic plan, and a key priority for Iowa Valley Grinnell.
MaryAnne Nickle is the Dean of Iowa Valley Grinnell, a satellite campus of Marshalltown Community College.