For 60 years, Iowa’s community colleges have quietly shaped the trajectory of our state, opening doors for students, strengthening local economies, and anchoring communities in times of both challenge and opportunity. As president of Iowa Valley Community College District, I have the privilege of seeing that impact every day and of reflecting on how far we have come.

Iowa’s community college system was established in 1965, when the state reorganized a network of local junior colleges and vocational schools into a coordinated system designed to serve all Iowans. The vision was clear and remarkably forward-thinking in that education should be accessible, affordable, and aligned with the needs of local communities and employers. From those early foundations, 15 community college districts emerged, each rooted in its region and responsive to its people.

Iowa Valley Community College District was born from the same vision. Serving Marshall, Hardin, Poweshiek, and Tama counties, our district includes Marshalltown Community College, Ellsworth Community College, and the Iowa Valley Grinnell Center. From the beginning, our role has been to meet students where they are and help them get where they want to go.

For many of our students, that journey is deeply personal. I often think about the first-generation student who is unsure if college is really for them, the adult learner returning to the classroom after years in the workforce, or the high school student taking their first college course through a career academy. These are our neighbors and families, our coworkers, and, in many cases, ourselves.

While each of these students’ journeys is unique, their impact ripples well beyond our campuses, strengthening families, deepening the local workforce, and building the kind of economic foundation that helps all of us thrive.

My own story is rooted in education. I come from a family of educators, and I have seen firsthand how access to learning can change the course of a life. I also know how easy it is for students to feel lost in larger systems. I still remember being a new student sitting in a class of 200, wondering if anyone would even know my name. That is what makes community colleges so important. We are intentionally designed to be places where students are known, supported, and encouraged every step of the way.

Over the past six decades, Iowa Valley has evolved alongside the communities we serve. As industries have changed, so have our programs. We have expanded opportunities in healthcare, advanced manufacturing, and skilled trades, while also strengthening transfer pathways for students who choose to continue their education at four-year institutions. Our partnerships with local employers ensure that what students learn in our classrooms translates directly into opportunity in the workforce.

At the same time, we have worked to remove barriers that stand in the way of student success. From flexible scheduling and online learning, to reducing the cost of course materials, we are constantly asking how we can make education more accessible. Our students are balancing jobs, families, and responsibilities, and they deserve systems that support their success, not complicate it.

What I am most proud of, however, is the sense of community that defines Iowa Valley. Our students are not just learners. Our students put down roots. They work here. They raise families here. That is what community colleges were always meant to make possible.

As we celebrate 60 years of Iowa’s community colleges, I am reminded that our work is never finished. The needs of our students and communities will continue to evolve, and we must evolve with them. But our purpose remains steady, and for our communities, that means more skilled neighbors, more stable families, and a stronger central Iowa.

We are here to open doors. We are here to create opportunities. For six decades, Iowa’s community colleges, including Iowa Valley, have done exactly that.

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Dr. Anne Howsare Boyens serves as president of the Iowa Valley Community College District.