Amee Austin

The Dmacc Strategic Plan outlines a roadmap for the period of 2017-2020, focusing on four primary strategic priorities: 'Going to College,' aimed at increasing student enrollment; 'Finishing What You Start,' designed to improve student retention, persistence, and completion rates; 'Advancing Your Career,' which seeks to expand access to short-term career-related education for Central Iowans; and 'Improving What We Do,' focused on implementing systematic processes for continuous organizational improvement. These priorities collectively aim to enhance student success from enrollment through career readiness, and strengthen the college's operational effectiveness and community engagement.

This document outlines DMACC's strategic direction, titled 'Strategy on a Page,' focusing on improving quality of life, supporting communities, and cultivating a prosperous Iowa. The mission is to provide quality, affordable, student-centered education and training to empower diverse communities and act as a catalyst for economic development. The plan is built upon four Pillars of Commitment: Stakeholders, People & Innovation, Internal Processes, and Stewardship, with high-level initiatives including Academic Pathways and Diversity, Equity & Inclusion.

This strategic vision outlines a commitment to excellence across three core pillars: prioritizing quality in education and services to ensure student success, expanding access to education for every individual within the service area, and maintaining affordability through managing student costs, increasing scholarships, and optimizing financial resources. The plan aims to achieve these goals by monitoring specific indicators related to student retention, persistence, graduation rates, post-DMACC success, service area penetration, and financial stewardship.

This Strategic Plan outlines the institutional direction for Des Moines Area Community College from 2022 to 2025, aiming to change lives and empower communities. It focuses on five strategic goals: improving student success with Guided Pathways, fostering a diverse and inclusive community, providing quality and excellence across the district, developing skills for a competitive workforce through financial stewardship and economic development, and strengthening partnerships with communities. The plan seeks to improve the quality of life for students, support communities, and cultivate a prosperous Iowa.

The meeting covered several agenda items including a legislative update presentation. Key considerations involved the appointment of a Board Treasurer, the administration of the Oath of Office to the Treasurer, and the approval of a revision to Board Policy SA406 regarding Student Indebtedness, particularly concerning transcript releases. Major action items included resolutions for the DMACC Legacy Plaza Greenspace Improvements Phase II, setting a public hearing date of March 9, 2026, and a bid receipt date of March 3, 2026. Furthermore, the Board was set to consider resolutions approving Workforce Training and Economic Development Contracts under Chapter 260C for Childserve, Inc. and Source Allies, Inc., as well as Retraining or Training Agreements under Chapter 260F for Ex-Guard Industries LLC and Osmundson MFG Co. Finally, a resolution was proposed authorizing the early redemption of New Jobs Training Certificates for Multiple Projects 49, which is projected to save Iowa taxpayers significant interest expense.