Iowa Lakes Community College

10/13/2026

From the Blog: Why Skilled Trades Are More Important Than Ever: Building the Workforce That Keeps America Moving

Every community depends on skilled professionals whose work often goes unnoticed—until they’re needed.

At Iowa Lakes Community College, students can prepare for these high-demand careers through hands-on training, industry-recognized credentials, and partnerships with employers. Our programs are designed to help students build the technical skills and real-world experience they need to succeed from day one.

Read on to explore why skilled trades are in high demand, the career opportunities available, and how Iowa Lakes can help you get started.

🔗 https://na2.hubs.ly/H07FNcw0

10/13/2026

Last week, Iowa Lakes had the honor of hosting a legislative roundtable discussion focused on the challenges of recruiting healthcare educators to rural communities like ours. The conversation highlighted the importance of this issue and explored potential solutions to help address the need.

At Iowa Lakes, we’re committed to providing the programs our communities need, and our Nursing program is a great example of that commitment in action.

Thank you to everyone who attended and contributed to this important discussion, and a special thank-you to our Nursing faculty and staff for hosting such a great event!

10/12/2026

🌾 Happy National Farmer Day!

We’re celebrating by showcasing our Agriculture programs at Iowa Lakes! Whether you’re ready to jump-start your career with an Agricultural Management diploma, planning to transfer to a four-year institution with our Agronomy Transfer degree, or exploring the many opportunities in between, Iowa Lakes has a path for you!

Come see what it’s all about! Tour our College Farm, explore our classrooms, and discover all the hands-on learning opportunities Iowa Lakes has to offer.

🔗 https://na2.hubs.ly/H08kBZd0

10/09/2026

Laker Alumni Spotlight: Madison Beenken, Class of 2018

📍 Hometown: Titonka, Iowa
🎓 Degree: A.A.S. Environmental Studies, 2018
💼 Career: Kossuth County Conservation Board Maintenance Technician

After a less-than-enthusiastic start to college, this Laker found a new direction at Iowa Lakes Community College. Drawn to the Environmental Studies program and inspired by Professor Drew Howing, Madison discovered a passion for the outdoors, recreation, and tourism—and a new outlook on education.

That experience inspired her to continue their education at South Dakota State University, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in Conservation Planning and Park Management in 2020.

Advice to current students: “Build a relationship with your instructors and advisors—their mentoring and the relationship will go beyond school.”

Once a Laker, always a Laker! Thanks for sharing your story, Madison!

10/08/2026

Learning Beyond the Classroom!

The Iowa Lakes Community College Environmental Studies program has a long-standing partnership with the Iowa DNR, providing students with valuable opportunities to gain hands-on experience in fisheries, wildlife, and parks management.

In recent years, Professor Drew Howing and his students have assisted with drone surveys across wildlife areas, parks, and lakes throughout Iowa. Using drone technology, students create detailed orthophotos that help identify invasive species and provide valuable information for future land-management decisions.

These projects give students the opportunity to apply their classroom knowledge to real-world conservation efforts while providing a valuable service to our partners at the Iowa DNR.

From the classroom to Iowa’s great outdoors, our Environmental Studies students are gaining experience that helps protect and preserve the places we all enjoy.

Read more 🔗 https://na2.hubs.ly/H0898bF0

10/06/2026

Iowa Lakes is lucky to have some pretty incredible coaches leading our teams and student athletes. Happy to you!

Happy National Coaches Day!

We want to take a moment to recognize the countless time and effort these individuals put into leading, teaching, and believing in our student-athletes!

Your dedication makes Iowa Lakes a special place!

10/06/2026

Thriving rural communities need more than businesses—they need skilled workers, strong partnerships, and opportunities that help people build their futures close to home.

Community colleges play a vital role in making that possible. At Iowa Lakes Community College, education, workforce partnerships, business engagement, and community collaboration come together to strengthen the workforce and fuel economic growth across northwest Iowa.

Discover how community colleges help rural communities thrive.

🔗 https://na2.hubs.ly/H07ZGsM0

10/05/2026

Today, on World Teacher Day, we celebrate and thank the incredible educators who inspire, challenge, encourage, and support our Lakers every day.

We’re so grateful for the dedicated faculty who make a difference both inside and outside the classroom. Iowa Lakes is lucky to have them—and our students are even luckier to learn from them!

Thank you, Iowa Lakes faculty, for all that you do!

10/04/2026

Recently, our Surgical Technology students put their teamwork and problem-solving skills to the test! Using some rather unusual items, they worked together to build a tower taller than their classmates’ creations.

You never know what you’ll find happening in our hands-on learning classrooms—but you can always count on learning, collaboration, and a little friendly competition!

10/02/2026

The Iowa Lakes women’s soccer season is in full swing!

The Lakers kicked off the year with one of the toughest schedules in the NJCAA—and they’re rising to the challenge! From hard work on the pitch to exciting performances on game day, this team continues to compete, grow, and put on a show.

Follow along, show your support, and cheer on your Lakers all season long!

https://na2.hubs.ly/H089tbJ0