Kirkwood Community College grabs bright spotlight

Politics watchers are still debating the merits of Hillary Clinton's first trip to Iowa as a presidential candidate in 2016. Her brief, two-day series of panel discussions and coffee shop stops left plenty to chew on.

But even the most cynical pundit could see the big winner at Clinton's Tuesday stop in Monticello was Kirkwood Community College.

The Democratic hopeful held a panel discussion at Kirkwood's Monticello regional center with students and educators. Much of the discussion focused on the center's strong partnerships with eight local school districts to provide high school students with rigorous, college level courses and hands-on technical training. Media from across the country and around the world came to the campus along Highway 151 and crowded into the center's auto shop to listen in.

'You can't buy publicity like this, but I think it's good for the whole community college system in Iowa and the United States,” said Kirkwood President Mick Starcevich, who sat next to Clinton. 'To have a presidential candidate visit, that's golden, because you're able to tell your story a little better in person. And maybe, hopefully, give her a few good ideas.”

Starcevich told Clinton that it's been six years since Kirkwood kicked off it's regional centers initiative. Kirkwood now has three centers in Monticello, Cedar Rapids and Washington, with a fourth set to open on the University of Iowa campus this fall.

Starcevich said 5,000 students have accessed free college credits at the centers or in dual credit courses taught at school. He said those credits, in terms of community college tuition, are worth more than $3 million. In terms of college or university tuition, they're worth even more to students and parents strategizing how to afford higher education.

One panelist, Monticello junior Ellen Schlarmann, said she will accumulate 48 college credits by graduation. That's a year-and-a-half of college completed during high school.

'You're a walking advertisement for how important this option is,” Clinton told Schlarmann.

'It's a great model,” said Jason McLaughlin, principle at Central City High School.

'Well, amen,” Clinton responded.

It's one of the many dividends of Iowa's first-in-the-nation caucuses, the opportunity to spotlight Iowa successes to a broader audience, and, of course, potential presidents.

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