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Iowa Valley Community College District brought together faculty and staff from Marshalltown Community College, Ellsworth Community College, Iowa Valley Grinnell and Business & Community Solutions Tuesday for its annual Iowa Valley Day, held ahead of the fall semester. The event included the presentation of the Iowa Valley Impact Awards and Ambassador of the Year honors, along with recognition of employees reaching service milestones.
• Lifelong Learning Award: Mike Rottink
Professor Rottink, ECC, received the Lifelong Learning Award for reviving theatre at ECC's Hamilton Auditorium after more than a decade without a production. Rottink rebuilt the college's drama department from the ground up, guiding students through every stage of the process and giving them a place to take creative risks and grow as performers.
• Empowering Student Success Award: Ashley Krimmer
Associate Professor Krimmer, MCC, received the Empowering Student Success Award for helping nursing students take ownership of their futures. Drawing on her background in behavioral health, Krimmer pairs clear expectations and accountability with compassionate support, building the confidence and resilience students need to keep moving forward.
• Future-Ready Workforce Award: Jake Bennett
Associate Professor Bennett received the Future-Ready Workforce Award for his leadership of the Construction Management program at Marshalltown Community College. Bennett pairs technical instruction with practical, real-world problem-solving and maintains close relationships with industry partners, keeping the program aligned with employer needs and giving graduates a clear path into construction careers.
• Outstanding Service Award: Demarion Harper
Harper, assistant football coach and assistant director of residence life at ECC, received the Outstanding Service Award. Harper is known across campus for stepping in wherever he's needed -- mentoring students, supporting colleagues and helping run campus events -- bringing the patience and good judgment that make him a trusted presence for ECC students.
• IVCCD ECC Ambassador of the Year: Barlow Memorial Library
The Barlow Memorial Library in Iowa Falls was named the IVCCD ECC Ambassador of the Year for its partnership with ECC. Programs including Panther Pals, World Read Aloud Day and Ellsworth Without Borders have connected ECC students with the Iowa Falls community through reading, service and cultural exchange. The library was represented at the ceremony by Library Director Erin Finnegan-Andrews and Youth Services Librarian Rachel Fincham.
• IVCCD MCC Ambassador of the Year: Iowa Veterans Home
The IVH was named the IVCCD MCC Ambassador of the Year for its role in preparing MCC students for careers in healthcare. The Veterans Home hosts Certified Nurse Aide students for clinical experience and provides direct instruction, mentoring and skills testing from its professional staff. Representing the IVH were Nursing Administrator Sarah Bruner, Nursing Services Director Kella Minteer and Compliance Officer Tracy Pieters.
Milestone Service Recognition: All Iowa Valley Day also recognized 44 employees across the District who reached service milestones this year, ranging from five to 35 years, representing 450 years of combined dedication to IVCCD students and communities.
This year's keynote address was delivered by Dr. Zoë M. Thornton, assistant professor of Practice in Higher Education at Iowa State University, where she teaches graduate courses focused on community colleges and leads statewide leadership development programs for Iowa community college professionals. Thornton previously held leadership roles at Iowa Valley Community College District and other Iowa community colleges and later worked with the Iowa Department of Education on initiatives related to student access, workforce development, transfer and career education.