News

IVCCD Board Learns of Nursing Program Success Strategies

MARSHALLTOWN – The Iowa Valley Community College District Board of Directors heard an update on the Nursing program. Associate Dean of Health Occupations Beth Johanns presented about a transformational culture change and implementation of evidence-based practices, which has resulted in consistency between programs, growth mindset, and improved performance. Johanns noted a significant reduction in attrition rates and said IVCCD consistently outperforms national averages on NCLEX pass rates. State-of-the art equipment like HAL, a pediatric patient simulator, enhances classroom training by simulating symptoms and allowing students to run vitals, perform CPR, and diagnose and treat the patient simulator in a variety of ways.

District Updates Payment Processing Solution

The District has approved a new payment processing agreement with Transact Campus, Inc. This updated system will streamline credit card payments and offer enhanced features such as a parent portal for authorized payments, payment plans, and simplified international transactions. Additionally, the new system will facilitate a cashless solution, potentially applicable to sporting events.

District Approves Agreements with OPN Architects

The Board approved two projects with OPN Architects, including the demolition of Wall Hall, a former dormitory, on the Ellsworth Community College campus. Work is anticipated to begin late spring/early summer of 2025.

The Board also approved a contract with OPN for the enhancement to the Iowa Valley Grinnell campus, which includes relocation of the automotive technology lab, currently located at the Grinnell Bus Barn, to the campus. The scope of the work will also include updates to the gunsmithing classroom and update the nurse aide classroom facilities. The project will use Career Academy Incentive funds though the Iowa Department of Education.

Board Approves Three Iowa Jobs Training Agreements

The Board has approved a 260F jobs training agreement between Iowa Valley Business and Community Solutions (BCS) and D & B Agro Systems. This is the tenth contract with D & B, and the funding will be used to support safety training initiatives, including OSHA, electrical, CAD, and CDL certification. D & B Agro Systems, a construction company specializing in steel structures like grain bins, dryers, and grain handling systems, will benefit from this training for its 52 employees.

The Board has approved a training agreement between BCS and Bruin Manufacturing Company. Bruin Manufacturing Company, a Marshalltown-based custom plastic injection molding company with 53 employees, will utilize the funding to support a variety of training initiatives, including safety, automation, mold design, leadership, and HR development.

The Board has approved a jobs training agreement between BCS and Cargill, Inc. in Iowa Falls. Cargill’s Iowa Falls location is a training facility supporting its 614 Iowa-based employees, including the four employees at the Ops Training Center. This third contract with Cargill will allocate funding for comprehensive maintenance training, covering all aspects of industrial and facilities maintenance.

The next regular board meeting is scheduled for 4 p.m. on November 13, 2024 in Iowa Falls, and will be available via Zoom.