Our purpose is very simple at Iowa Central Community College. We want students to come to Iowa Central and finish their degree or certification in the shortest amount of time possible, with the least amount of student loan debt, so they can go on and have a better life. It is a purpose we are very passionate about because of the nine-county region we serve. We know that 77 percent of students who graduate from Iowa Central will stay in our service region. By providing an exceptional education at an affordable cost, we are providing our students with the best opportunity to enter the workforce and their careers prepared to make their communities better.

On Monday, Iowa Central will once again come to life, as our 6,000 students begin their fall semester. Each one of them is unique and has their own story to tell. What is consistent is each of them views Iowa Central as an avenue of hope for their future. Iowa Central is now the fifth largest community college in the state of Iowa. We continue to be the community college of choice, and if you have been on our campus lately, you will understand why. With the support of our patrons, we have invested $36 million in building improvements and infrastructure. We fully understand that our institution is only as strong as the communities we serve.

While it has become politically advantageous to be critical of “higher education,” community colleges stand as the positive solution. We have affordable tuition and students can still have the college experience that they desire. As an open-access institution, we serve all students who desire the opportunity for professional advancement. We take pride in the fact that half of our students are coming to Iowa Central to complete their transfer degree and go on to a four-year institution. The other half of our students are completing a one or two-year degree in the career and technical area and will enter the workforce as the skilled employees our society and communities desperately need. While some students can successfully enter the workforce without any training, by and large, most students need something, and that is where your community college stands ready to serve. Research is still very clear that people with a certification or degree make significantly higher incomes over their lifetime than a high school diploma alone.

Iowa Central is also here to serve our businesses and working professionals. Over 15,000 people in our service region were served through workforce training, continuing education courses, or training provided within their place of employment. We value the business connections we have across our region and stand ready to provide them with the service they need to provide upskilling and training for their employees.

Iowa Central continues to be a positive presence and asset to the communities we serve. Regardless of an individual’s age, income, employment status, or geographical location, we have something for everyone. We remain a strong and positive solution to not only the workforce crisis in Iowa but also an avenue for the better life our students desire.

Dr. Jesse Ulrich is the president of Iowa Central Community College.