A number of guests were on hand with Marshalltown Rotarians to enjoy lunch in the confines of the Orpheum Black Box theater.

Dennis and Heidi Drager asked members to join the club in support of the Josh the Otter swim safety program. The club sponsored the kick-off of this program in the community last year and impacts 400 kids annually.

Dr. Robin Lilienthal and Valerie Ruiz from Marshalltown Community College presented a program on the methods the college is using to engage Latinx, Southeast Asian and Native American students. Lilienthal set the stage by providing context with demographics of race and ethnicity within the college.

Data indicates Hispanic, Asian and Native American numbers have increased in the last five years. MCC is one of only four institutions in the state identified as an emerging Hispanic Servicing Institution. Lilienthal suggested that this could provide additional resources in a few years to help create an educated and well-trained workforce.

Ruiz serves as an Academic Advising Specialist at the college. She described some specific efforts to improve programs and enhance platforms and local resources. There are some wonderful initiatives and networking efforts underway to develop leadership, support empowerment and cultivate degree and career success. Both affirmed that the energies underway at MCC are helping to achieve the goal of a vibrant and successful economic community and increasing the quality of life.

The five core values of Rotary are fun and fellowship, service, leadership development, integrity and diversity.