Three award recipients stand side by side in front of a textured wall, each holding a glass recognition plaque during an employee awards event.

Demarion Harper (Outstanding Service Award), Ashley Krimmer (Empowering Student Success), and Jake Bennett (Future-Ready Workforce) received awards at All Iowa Valley Day. Not pictured: Mike Rottink (Lifetime Learning)

Five people stand in front of a textured indoor wall, with two individuals holding clear glass award plaques while the group poses for a recognition photo.

Members from Barlow Memorial Library and Iowa Veterans Home received Ambassadors of the year for ECC and MCC, respectively.

Group portrait of fourteen employees in an indoor facility, with five seated in the front row and nine standing behind them against a textured wall.

Iowa Valley employees honored for five years in the district.

Three people pose for a recognition photo, with the person in the center holding a glass award plaque.

Iowa Veterans Home representatives who received MCC Ambassador of the Year

Nine employees pose for a group photo indoors, with three seated in the front row and six standing behind them against a textured wall during a workplace recognition event.

Iowa Valley employees honored for 15 years in the district

Two people pose together, with one holding a glass recognition award plaque.

Barlow Memorial Library representatives received ECC Ambassador of the Year

Five employees stand side by side in front of a textured indoor wall for a group recognition photo.

Iowa Valley employees honored for 15 years in the district

Three employees stand together in front of a textured wall during a workplace recognition event.

Iowa Valley employees honored for 25 years in the district

Two employees stand together in front of a textured wall for a workplace recognition photo.

Iowa Valley employees honored for 30 years in the district

Four employees stand together for a group photo in front of a textured wall during a workplace recognition event.

Iowa Valley employees honored for 20 years in the district

MARSHALLTOWN, Iowa — Iowa Valley Community College District (IVCCD) brought together faculty and staff from Marshalltown Community College (MCC), Ellsworth Community College (ECC), Iowa Valley Grinnell (IVG) and Business & Community Solutions (BCS) 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 Mike Rottink, Ellsworth Community College, received the Lifelong Learning Award for reviving theater 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 Ashley Krimmer, Marshalltown Community College, 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 Jake 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

Demarion Harper, Assistant Football Coach and Assistant Director of Residence Life at Ellsworth Community College, 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 Ellsworth Community College. 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 Iowa Veterans Home was named the IVCCD MCC Ambassador of the Year for its role in preparing Marshalltown Community College 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 Iowa Veterans Home were Nursing Administrator Sarah Bruner, Nursing Services Director Kella Minteer and Compliance Officer Tracy Pieters.

Milestone Service Recognition

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.

Keynote Address

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.