Constituents

Iowa State University Extension plays a prominent role in educating Iowans, using a number of processes to understand constituents and their needs as detailed in the University Extension— Understanding Constituencies section of this self study. In addition, Iowa State demonstrates a commitment to educating Iowans by considering educational needs that support state-wide initiatives, attending to diverse educational needs across the state, and developing quality educational experiences and distance education opportunities that engage constituents.

The Governor of Iowa outlined two priorities that relate to efforts to educate Iowans and understand constituents’ needs. One priority underscores the need to develop a new economy that would both increase the number of employed workers with college experience and create new high-skill jobs that require two-years of post-secondary education. A second priority is education, including efforts to increase access to preschool and the number of students who have at least two years of higher education. Iowa State’s Strategic Plan aligns with these priorities through its goals to “elevate the state’s appeal as a place to live, learn, work, and play.”

Similarly, Iowa State’s efforts to educate Iowans align with other initiatives such as the Board of Regents, State of Iowa 2004-2009 Strategic Plan and the Imagine Iowa 2010 plan. The Board of Regents Strategic Plan emphasizes the needs of ensuring high quality educational opportunities, discovering knowledge, promoting economic growth, and demonstrating public accountability. The Imagine Iowa 2010 plan seeks to distinguish Iowa as a national leader in culture by investing in cultural resources, creating economic vitality driven by a cultural environment, and promoting cultural education.

Iowa State University recognizes the need to attend to diverse constituents across the state and country. Several examples of this effort follow.

As a land-grant university, Iowa State has a long tradition of providing access to higher education for all students.

• In honor of George Washington Carver, Iowa State offers a Multicultural Vision Program that provides a four-year, full-tuition grant for 100 minority high school seniors.

• The Program for Women in Science and Engineering encourages women and girls of all ethnic backgrounds to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields, thereby enriching those professions through the full participation of women. PWSE collaborates with colleges and departments across the University to provide programs giving women the opportunity for exploration, professional development, and success in STEM fields.

• The TRIO programs at Iowa State include four outreach and support programs to help disadvantaged students progress from middle school to post−baccalaureate programs. The programs include Upward Bound, Educational Talent Search, Student Support Services, and Ronald E. McNair Post-baccalaureate Achievement.

Iowa State also hosts a comprehensive forum on issues of race and ethnicity at the institution and beyond called the Iowa State Conference on Race and Ethnicity (ISCORE). The local conference models the National Conference on Race and Ethnicity in Higher Education and is free and open to all members of the Iowa State and Ames communities.

Iowa State has been actively involved with the Breaking Down the Barriers Committee in an effort to make Ames a more welcoming environment for women and minorities. The committee and its University representatives have discussed ways to overcome selected racial harassment issues that have occurred on campuses throughout the country and debated ways to improve the climate for equity on campus and in the community.

Iowa State is proactive in its efforts to serve the people of Iowa through continuing education, outreach, training, and extension services. The University has demonstrated a clear response to Iowan’s educational needs by developing several cooperative resources and leadership programs that increase access to education opportunities and support the advancement of education leaders in the state. Some examples of these resources and programs follow.

Iowa Regents Institutions Distance Education. Here you can find information about the many distance education degree and certificate opportunities provided by the Board of Regents, State of Iowa Universities. IRIDE is a cooperative effort between Iowa State, the University of Iowa and the University of Northern Iowa to provide an easily accessible central point of information.

The Southwest Iowa Regents Resource Center is southwest Iowa's link to higher education from Iowa’s state supported universities—University of Northern Iowa, University of Iowa and Iowa State University. The Center, located in Council Bluffs on the campus of Iowa School for the Deaf, is the only center of its kind in the state. Its mission is to provide increased access to graduate and undergraduate education and other Regents university resources for area residents. Area residents can participate in credit courses, complete degree programs (undergraduate and graduate), and obtain information on admissions and transfer to Regents universities. The Center is also instrumental in accessing other university resources for delivery to the region, such as presentation of cultural programs, non-credit programs and workshops, and student internship opportunities.

Research indicates that 90% of tomorrow’s community college senior leaders will come from current mid-level community college insiders. The Community College Leadership Initiative Consortium (CLIC) provides upper-level and mid-management administrators with an excellent staff development experience by training them with the skills necessary to lead community colleges in the 21st century. Emphasis is placed on the latest advancements in areas of management and supervision, current issues in the community college system, and networking opportunities to enhance communications between educational institutions.

Women and people of color find enriched opportunities for advancement into administrative leadership roles in Iowa’s community colleges through the Leadership Institute for a New Century (LINC). Participants, aged 25 to 60, have bachelor’s degrees in diverse fields and are currently working in entry- to mid-level positions as faculty members or administrative personnel. More than 60 percent of the program’s graduates have been promoted since completing the program. Established in 1989, LINC provides academic preparation, internship experiences and networking opportunities. Participants learn from nationally recognized leaders. They visit campuses and share ideas with community college presidents and other state leaders in two-day sessions held monthly from September through May.