New man on campus
Kinney takes reins at Iowa Central Community CollegeBy JESSE HELLING Messenger staff writer
Article Photos
On Wednesday, a new era began at Iowa Central Community College.
Foregoing a celebration, Dan Kinney's first official day as Iowa Central's president was decidedly low-key.
Kinney, who was hired for the community college's top job May 12, spent Wednesday settling into his office in the school's instructional services building.
But Kinney said he plans to spend as little time as necessary behind his desk.
"I plan to spend a lot of time out on campus," he said. "I like walking around, observing what's going on."
Kinney's primary short-term goal is getting to know the school and its faculty and staff, he said.
"I want to get out and meet people in the community," he said.
Kinney, a veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom, most recently served as vice president of student services at Western Nebraska Community College in Scottsbluff, Neb.
He described his leadership style as a team approach.
"I have an open-door policy," he said. "When people have issues, I hope they come in and talk to me."
The new Iowa Central president said he is excited to help the community college move forward.
To begin with, Iowa Central can serve a pivotal role in aiding economic recovery, Kinney said.
"I believe we can help the residents of central Iowa," he said.
One side effect of the current economic downturn could be less state funding for community colleges, said Kinney.
"I wish I could start my presidency during great economic times, but that's not where we're at," he said.
Therefore, Iowa Central will have to become more effective and efficient, Kinney said.
As president, Kinney said he will work with area businesses to help facilitate productive cooperation between Iowa Central and the potential providers of jobs for the school's graduates.
"We're close to the Interstate 35 corridor," said Kinney. "We don't want to lose people who go north to Minnesota or south to Des Moines."
Though Kinney said he'll work with administrators to further develop a strategic plan for Iowa Central, he is not a fan of change merely for change's sake.
"If it's working, we're not going to have to fix it," he said. "That is not productive."
For Karen Lombard, Iowa Central's administrative assistant and secretary of the community college's board of trustees, the timing of Kinney's arrival is perfect, she said.
"I can't think of a better way to start a new fiscal year," Lombard said.
Iowa Central had been without a president since August 2008. In the interim, the school was run by an administrative team, of which Lombard was a part.
"It feels good to have someone in that office," she said.
Contact Jesse Helling at (515) 573-2141 or jhelling@messengernews.net
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boatassembler
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07-04-09 1:46 AM
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Well put Anderson. Our Colleges: area community and our unniversities can train them. It is up to the state government, businesses, and us to supply the jobs that will keep our young people here. To blame the colleges for not having jobs for it's graduates is very unfair indeed.
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Anderson
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07-03-09 10:53 PM
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Iowa has long had among the highest percentage of its high school students going on to higher education, hyber. I agree with the observed need for remedial education in English and math among community college students, which is due the disastrous decline in the quality of our public schools. As for youth moving out of state, it is not a search for a BA/BS but jobs, jobs, jobs, and Iowa's failure to generate them reflects one of the US worst business climates, a matter the States political leaders need to address in the worst way.
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boatassembler
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07-03-09 3:54 PM
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And hybernation: ICCC is not limited. With the Buena Vista connection, students can earn a four year degree at ICCC. Look in ICCC sometime. You might be impressed.
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boatassembler
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07-03-09 3:50 PM
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And just for the record I see no reason why the governor can't have a yearly vacation just like everyone else as long as he pays fot it, just as we do. Would you like it if people started telling you ,you aren't allowed a vacation? I think not.
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boatassembler
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07-03-09 3:45 PM
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hybernation. I think your question is unfair. To assume he will be like the past president is unfairness at the highest mark! He's been here less than 1 week. Give the guy a chance!
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hybernation
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07-02-09 5:17 PM
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maybe if the governor limit, or do away with a yearly family vacation & put that money into schools it might help big time? he should cut govt. costs w/ his own self before getting rid of teachers, & educational programs! i bet his kid prob. goes to a private school that is well funded by the govt. or his daddy!? & yes i heard private schools do get govt. funding too. i don't know how much but they do.
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hybernation
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07-02-09 5:12 PM
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Anderson?isn't the reason students end up in other states because you can only go so far at a community college then you have to go to a university?
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hybernation
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07-02-09 5:09 PM
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I wonder if he will become chummy w/ students & party, & drink with them as the last president did?
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FDTROOPER
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07-02-09 3:34 PM
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Business look first for an educated workforce and infrastructure to support their operation. Iowa K-12 has not kept up with the rest of the world. ICCC largest classes are remedial reading and math. Most Iowa HS grads are lucky to read above the 8th grade level. So how do we pay for better schools? When all you want is to cut taxes. Duh
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Anderson
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07-02-09 12:47 PM
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Iowa has done well by its students, as has ICCC. But let us hope that, for once, the powers that be in Des Moines carefully examine just why so great a part of its well-educated young people end up in MN or other states and - in Iowa - in those few centers of public activity that are growing. The reordering of Iowa's tax code should be a first order of business for the Governor and the Legislature for, as is, businesses that can, and aren't showered with subsidies and tax write-offs - are looking elsewhere. ICCC and Iowa's other excellent, higher educational institutions cannot do it alone.
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nottotell
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07-02-09 12:11 AM
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I hope that the entire community and area give this man a chance to see what he can do. He seems to be open and above board and now lets not shoot him down the minute he takes the reigns and runs with the policy and the college programs. I think this college has grown alot and has a lot of growing yet to do. Lets stay behind him and see what he can do.
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