CAREER ACADEMY HELPS STUDENTS EXCEL

The Board of Trustees of Iowa Lakes Community College had the opportunity to learn about the Career Academy at their meeting late Tuesday afternoon.

Career Academy students are high school juniors and seniors who are earning college credit – and are exploring career opportunities at the same time.

Brian Campbell, Secondary Programs Coordinator, showed a video of the wide variety of coursework available to students.

“The Career Academy video is another means by which high school students – and their parents – can gather information about opportunities to not only explore career and technical training, but also earn college credit while still enrolled in high school,” said Campbell.

The video was shot by Career Information and Training Network which specializes in promoting Career and Technical Education programs. It highlights students – speaking in their own words – sharing the value of the Career Academy.

Schools participating in the Career Academy include Armstrong-Ringsted, Emmetsburg, Estherville Lincoln Central, Graettinger-Terril, North Kossuth, Okoboji, Sentral of Fenton, Spencer and West Bend-Mallard.

Also during the meeting, Jolene Rogers, Grants & Development Coordinator, received approval from the Trustees to submit an Iowa Department of Economic Development ACE (Accelerated Career Education) infrastructure application. The application is for continued support to complete Phase II of the Wind Energy and Turbine Technology building expansion project.

Delaine Hiney, Executive Director of Facilities Management, showed photos of the new Regional Emergency Response Training Center on the Emmetsburg campus and highlighted the public open house planned for Saturday, April 5. She also shared pictures of the arrival of two wind turbine blades and a hub at the Estherville campus which will be used for educational purposes with the students in the Wind Energy and Turbine Technology program. And, the Trustees were updated on plans to expand the Athletic Training program into space formerly used as a racquetball court.

In addition, Clark Marshall presented information related to training agreements with two area companies; the Trustees heard a report from President Harold Prior; and, listened to reports from other members on the board.

The next meeting of the Iowa Lakes Board of Trustees is scheduled for Tuesday, April 15, in Algona.