Iowa Lakes Community College

Iowa Lakes Community College Logo

Overview

Iowa Lakes Community College is a community college located in Estherville, Iowa, United States, with satellite campuses in Algona, Emmetsburg, Spirit Lake and Spencer, Iowa.^[2] It serves Iowa Community College District III, which encompasses an area roughly contiguous with Clay, Dickinson, Emmet, Kossuth and Palo Alto counties.^[3] The predominantly rural district encompasses and area of approximately 2,900 square miles (7,500 square kilometers) and a population of just over 73,000. Iowa Lakes Community College was officially established in October 1966 by the Iowa Department of Education under provision of Chapters 260C and 260D, Code of Iowa.^[4]

Iowa Lakes has developed a unique and respected role as a comprehensive community college ("Iowa College Student Aid Commission", 2016). The picturesque Iowa Great Lakes Region provides the setting for Iowa Lakes Community College. The College is located in the heart of the northwest quadrant of the state of Iowa ("Iowa College Student Aid Commission", 2016). The college offers a variety of academic and career training programs, including customized training specifically designed for area business and industry.

Iowa Lakes also offers continuing education and general interest courses to adults and older learners. In addition to traditional courses, some programs have an online option available. Depending upon the program of study, Iowa Lakes awards certificates, diplomas, or the degree of Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.). Iowa Lakes is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, the Iowa Department of Education, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and the Higher Learning Commission.^[2]

Wind-Energy and Turbine Program with Experiential Learning

Iowa Lakes Community College was involved in finding methods to reduce overhead costs which in turn resulted in “a state of the art Wind-Energy and Turbine Technology Program” (Mohni, Rogers, & Zeitz, 2007). Iowa Lakes managed to reduce energy costs as well as respond to the vast industry demand for trained renewable energy specialists. The college launched a two-year degree program in 2004 with the title Wind-Energy and Turbine Technology (associate in applied science). Mohni, Rogers, & Zietz (2007) writes “Iowa Lakes integrates industry-driven, education-based curriculum through both theory and practical applications. The wind-energy students utilize a 1.65 megawatt wind turbine as a laboratory. Students observe first-hand energy generation and understand both the physical and academic rigor a career in wind energy demand.” In completion, students of this course are trained and career-ready for the renewable energy industry.

Continuing Education Programs

Iowa Lakes Community College offers a variety of programs for students wanting to continue their education or for those who want to return to college to learn or to achieve accreditations. These programs include,

· English as a Second Language (ESL) Classes

ESL classes are for any adult learners in the Iowa Lakes’ five county area trying to improve their English speaking, listening, and writing skills. ESL classes take place at the Estherville and Spencer Campuses (“English as a Second Language”, 2016).

· Industry Training

The 260E and 260F programs serve as funding mechanisms and incentives for companies to expand, hire, and train more workers (“Industry Training”, 2016).

· Re-licensure

These workshops and courses are designed to fill the requirements for maintaining your license. The college serves several occupational groups.

• Cosmetology -

• Nursing - Rosemary Coleman

• EMS - Steve Dobbins

• Occupational & Physical Therapy - Rosemary Coleman

• Firefighter - Steve Dobbins

• Radiography - Rosemary Coleman

• Foster Parents -

• Real Estate - Teresa Ball

• Funeral Directors - Rosemary Coleman

• Respiratory Therapy - Rosemary Coleman

• Insurance - Teresa Ball

• School Bus Drivers -

• Long Term Care - Rosemary Coleman

• Social Workers - Rosemary Coleman

(“Relicensure”, 2016)

· RSVP (Volunteer Opportunities)

These volunteer opportunities involve the following units.

· Nursing Home Visitor Program

· Companionship

· Transportation

· School Volunteers

· Volunteer Jobs from Your Home

· Seniors Against Investment Fraud

(“RSVP”, 2016)

· Short-term Vocational Training

These short-term vocational training accreditations include:

• Activity Director Training (60 Hours)

• Adult Vocational Supplemental Courses

• Emergency Medical Technician - (EMT-B) Basic (150 Hours) - Steve Dobbins

• Emergency Medical Technician - (EMT-I) Intermediate (170 Hours) - Steve Dobbins

• Home Care Aide (13 Hours)

• Nurse Assistant II

• Real Estate Prelicense

• Supervision in Health Care

• 50 Hour Medication Aide

(“Short-Term Vocational”, 2016)

Athletics

Iowa Lakes Community College's sports teams are named the Lakers. Iowa Lakes is a member of the National Junior College Athletic Association and the Iowa Community College Athletic Conference. There are men's teams in baseball, basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, swimming and diving, and wrestling, and women's teams in basketball, competitive dance, cross country, golf, soccer, softball, swimming and diving, and volleyball.^[5] All laker athletic teams are based out of the Estherville campus except for men's and women's soccer, which is based out of the Spencer campus.^[6]

References

Academic Programs. (2016). Retrieved from http://www.iowalakes.edu/academic_programs/

Continuing Education. (2016). Retrieved from http://www.iowalakes.edu/continuing_education/

Iowa Community College Consortium. (2010). College Logo [image]. Retrieved from http://www.iowalakes.edu/academic_programs/

Iowa Lakes Community College. (2016). Retrieved from http://www.iowacollege aid.gov/content/iowa-lakes-community-college

Mary Mohni, Jolene Rogers, & Al Zietz. (2007). Iowa lakes community college: partnerships for academic and economic success in a rapidly evolving wind-energy industry. Community College Journal of Research and Practice, 31(6), 501-502. doi: 10.1080/10668920701358054

Footnotes

External links

• Official website