Western Iowa Tech Community College president to retire next spring

Western Iowa Tech Community College’s president will retire after nearly two decades with the institution, the college announced this week.

Terry Murrell, who has served as Western Iowa Tech Community College’s president since 2011, will retire May 15, 2026, according to a news release. He originally started at the Sioux City college in 2007 as vice president of instruction and student services.

“Serving alongside our faculty, staff, and students has been one of the greatest privileges of my career,” Murrell said in the release. “Together, we have navigated challenges, celebrated milestones, and most importantly, made a meaningful difference in the lives of our students and the communities we serve.”

Murrell’s leadership has “left a lasting impact” on the community college and the region, the release stated, by enhancing both student success and the college’s presence in area communities and boosting partnerships.

During his time at the college, Murrell brought athletics to campus as well as a food pantry and health center, and strengthened mental health services, the release stated. Graduation rates tripled during his presidency and he helped the college craft new mission and value statements and branding.

He also took responsibility in 2024 for problems with its international education program, which led to the college settling in court with two groups of students from Brazil and Chile who alleged the college conspired with area companies to engage in human trafficking.

Western Iowa Tech paid a combined $5.3 million in two settlements after the college was accused of bringing in international students and pushing them to work at area meatpacking plants, including plants run by Tur-Pak Foods and Royal Canin USA. The college then took money from students’ paychecks to reimburse itself for program costs, according to the lawsuits.

As the Iowa Capital Dispatch previously reported, Murrell said in July 2024 he and the college “got too deep into something we were not overly familiar with, and we didn’t do a good job.”

Western Iowa Tech will join other Iowa colleges in its search for a new president, including Des Moines Area Community College and Iowa State University. According to the release, the community college board of directors will share details of a transition plan as they develop, and will begin the new president selection process later this year.

“I am proud of what we have accomplished and know the college will continue to thrive in the years ahead,” Murrell said in the release. “It has been an honor to serve as president.”

This story first appeared in the Iowa Capital Dispatch.