Howsare Boyens, 47, accepted the job offer in September and began her new duties the following month She and her family made the move to Marshalltown during the Christmas break.

“We moved in on Dec. 21, and we’re still unpacking boxes,” Howsare Boyens said with a laugh. “I’m guessing we’ll be doing that for a while. The house is great. It’s an old house with all of the old charm. It’s really beautiful.”

While she settles into her IVCCD role, headquartered at Marshalltown Community College (MCC), Howsare Boyens’ husband, Jesse, works as a paralegal for a firm in Des Moines. They have two children who are enrolled in Marshalltown Community School District — son Jude is in seventh grade, and daughter Joss is in second.

Despite a lot of life changes and plenty of moving work, Howsare Boyens is progressing at the college — particularly finishing the $32 million general obligation bond projects. She said most of the bond work is complete, but some smaller projects need to be wrapped up.

Iowa Valley Community College District President Anne Howsare Boyens works on daily tasks in her office at Marshalltown Community College. Howsare Boyens is the new IVCCD president who started Nov. 1.

There is one major initiative Howsare Boyens would like to see through. At the beginning of December, she started her “radical listening tour.” Beginning with full-time employees, Howsare Boyens sent a survey asking about their roles, goals, frustrations and how she could help them grow. Then employees could then schedule one-on-one time with Howsare Boyens.

“It’s been very insightful to learn why people have chosen to work at Iowa Valley, why they’ve chosen MCC, and there’s themes emerging,” Howsare Boyens said. “One is dedication to student success. Another is dedication to their colleagues, and the third is dedication to MCC and ECC.”

The tour has shown her one of her favorite things about MCC so far.

“I have really enjoyed getting to know why people are here, what about the college that attracts them,” Howsare Boyens said. “It’s been lovely to see the dedication to their department and content area, and to student success. It’s been one of the highlights.”

One academic addition was announced during her first month, which she described as amazing. During the December board of directors meeting, an IVCCD pathway initiative was announced to address workforce shortages in healthcare. It creates apprenticeships and work-based learning opportunities for nursing and medical assistants and phlebotomy through partnerships with UnityPoint Marshalltown and Grinnell, McFarland Clinic and Hansen Family Hospital.

“We’re in the planning stages,” she said. “That’s a very exciting opportunity for us to really help many of our local employers get a workforce much quicker, and make sure those employees are trained and ready to go.”

From Pella to Marshalltown

Originally born in Pella, Howsare Boyens moved to various locations in Iowa, never straying too far from Interstate 80. The first move was to Eldridge before attending middle and high schools in Council Bluffs. Then she attended the University of Iowa in Iowa City and obtained a bachelor of arts degree in psychology, a masters in school counseling and a doctorate in education leadership and policy studies with a community college focus.

“My family has always been involved in public education,” she said. “Growing up, my brother and I never thought we would go into educational fields, but he is a teacher and I have always been at community colleges. You could say it is in our blood.”

Howsare Boyens chose an extensive career with community colleges, because serving the underserved is at the heart of what she does.

“The generational impact that community colleges can have on families is remarkable,” she said. “Also how community colleges can and do serve the business and workforce community is incredible.”

Her first post-secondary job was a school counselor at Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC), where she stayed for 20 years.

“I worked with students on mental health, but really deciding what they wanted to do with their lives,” Howsare Boyens said. “Then I moved into the associate provost for student services.”

In that role, she oversaw services such as academic advising and financial aid. In 2011, Howsare Boyens became the associate provost for academic services. Then in 2017, she moved into the provost position.

“My experience working in student services, overseeing student services and then overseeing academic services really served me well to become provost,” Howsare Boyens said.

Upon learning former IVCCD President Kristie Fisher was a finalist for a job at Kirkwood College, Howsare Boyens immediately reached out to inquire about the district. She wanted to do her homework first and become familiar with IVCCD.

“I wanted to make sure I was a good fit for the district, and make sure the district was a good fit for me,” Howsare Boyens said.

Fisher invited Howsare Boyens on a tour of the campuses, during which she learned about all of the good stuff and opportunities happening in Marshalltown. Howsare Boyens’ homework was not done yet. She set up meetings with local chambers and went on tours to learn how the towns interact with IVCCD. She saw a lot of support.

“I have always wanted to make sure that I was at a college that served the community, and be in a community that wants to have the college, too,” she said.

Then it was time to throw her hat in the IVCCD president ring and get ready for the long hiring process. Having the hiring committee members dedicated to due diligence did not bother Howsare Boyens.

“I would much rather it take a while and be right, than for it to be quick and not fit,” she said.

Howsare Boyens was actually in a meeting when Board President Larry Johnson called to offer her the job.

“I was, at the time and have been since then, incredibly honored to be chosen for this position, and I wanted to ask if I could start the next day,” Howsare Boyens said. “I feel I was the right choice for this position, and that the Valley is the right choice for me. It’s worked out both ways.”

Since moving to Marshalltown, the move being the right choice has become more apparent. She has experienced the warm atmosphere with community members welcoming her.

“It has been lovely to go to the grocery store and see familiar faces already,” Howsare Boyens said. “In my former position, that didn’t happen often. I also appreciate how open and honest people have been with me about opportunities and challenges. I appreciate their willingness to have me at the table and be a part of those conversations.”

——

Contact Lana Bradstream at 641-753-6611 ext. 210 or

lbradstream@timesrepublican.com.

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