PROGRAM:
Rtn. Richard Ferguson introduced program speaker: Kirkwood President, Dr. Lori Sundberg. Dr. Sundberg described her past at Carl Sandberg College where she planned to retire. Her interest in organizational behavior led her to a role in HR as a union chief negotiator.
Dr. Sundberg describes Kirkwood as a remarkable institution, with 20,000 students. Kirkwood has been part of our area for over 50 years. Kirkwood has10 different locations, offers programs that serve young children as well as corporate training programs and everything in between. 120 majors are offered, with more continued education offered than any other institution in the state.
The Iowa City campus has 2135 students enrolled. Enrollment has declined, at the height, enrollment was at 3500 students. The enrollment situation is like current trends, and high school graduates are also down. The Kirkwood Regional Center offers students a jumpstart for college with a partnership with the University of Iowa. Kirkwood provides ESL for non-English speaking populations. The program is free for students and funded by the state. This program expects to make an impact for those with an English language skills barrier to employment.
Kirkwood is responsible for $1b in economic impact each year. Partnerships exist in several areas, businesses, K-12 & Universities.
Fundraising is a huge part of Dr. Sundberg’s role at Kirkwood. 9 out of 10 reasons that a student drops out of Kirkwood, is not for academic reasons. Most often the departure is due to financial reasons.
President Sundberg addressed the fastest growing area of learning, being online. Because students are growing up with technology, online learning is embraced. Today’s students are more successful in small group collaboration vs. a large group lecture. She doesn’t see Kirkwood building more buildings but using technology both in and outside of the classroom.
Highschool students participate in Career Academy to test a career or try it out. This program helps students to think earlier about what they might enjoy as a career. At the same time, the high school student receives college credit. Earning an associate degree is possible for high school students with careful time management and planning.
The meeting ended at 1:00 pm as President Steve Quigley led the assembly in reciting The Four Way Test.
The Club enjoyed singing America the Beautiful & Vive le Rotary, led by Rtn. Bob Crane with Rtn. Devin Holsteijn on piano.
MEETING:
Please forward any newsworthy items and/or photos to Jon Brown or Janice Baldes to include in the weekly slide decks emailed to members prior to each meeting and shown just before Rotary meetings at the Club. You can send information to: Janice Baldes janicebaldes@gmail.com or Jon Brown at mjonBrown@taxesplusiowacity.com
It is our policy to have all members silence their cell phones before the meeting and refrain from answering their cell phones during the meeting out of respect to the speaker and fellow members.
Our Greeter, Ron Ettinger announced visiting Rotarian, Marilyn Whipple from Southern Illinois
Guests of Rotarians: Judy Leavitt & Andie Arthofer (Usha Balakrishnan); Lori Sundberg; Heather Croskrey (Shawn Reineke); Marilyn Lippold (Steve Quigley); Odalys Campagna (Richard Campagna)
Program: Tom Cilek; Attendance: Nancy Droll
