Embrace differences and learn from each other

2016 was Kirkwood's 50th year - a milestone of which we are very proud. In 1966, it was the dream of the college founders to provide our service area with quality, affordable education. Kirkwood has done that without a doubt. However, the fight to keep education affordable is never over.

Last year, my resolution for the people of the Corridor was to contribute to the Kirkwood Foundation, giving students a great education through scholarship opportunities. There still is work to be done and I encourage all of you to help make an impact where you can.

Incredible things continue to happen at Kirkwood. It's not uncommon for our faculty, staff and students to be recognized for their excellence. That success even carries over into athletics where the Eagles men's basketball team won the 2016 national championship.

In May, Kirkwood released the findings of a study showing how significant the college's overall impact is for our students, our community and our state. Kirkwood adds nearly $1 billion dollars annually to Iowa's economy. This is just a sliver of the college's amazing impact. The greatest value is that the vast majority of graduates are staying in the Corridor. An educated community benefits everyone in ways far beyond economics.

This substantial impact is the result of a team effort permeating throughout the Kirkwood community, and the college is always ready to band together to face anything.

I am amazed at the selflessness of our students, faculty and staff during the 2016 flood. Volunteers from every corner of the college rose to the challenge for their community. Many of them were not native to the Corridor. They came here from all over the world, and still did what they could to help.

At Kirkwood, thousands of people from different locations, ethnicities and socio-economic statuses join to accomplish great things. This melting pot is a place of ideas where dreams are realized for the betterment of all. Kirkwood is a shining example of what can be accomplished, despite our differences, when we work together as a community.

My new year's resolution for the Corridor is to not let our differences define us as we move through the challenges of the new year. We need to embrace what makes us different instead of letting it divide us. We can learn from each other and move forward as a cohesive community.

Kirkwood has shown what can be accomplished when we work as one. We can learn from the countless examples on our campuses every day. As citizens we can take this idea, apply it to work toward our dreams and make a positive impact on our whole society - together.

For you. For your neighbor. For your community.

' Mick Starcevich is president of Kirkwood Community College. More information: www.kirkwood.edu