Company Spotlight: Kirkwood Community College

Discover what makes area companies a successful place to work. Visit The Gazette’s Company Spotlight each day during the week of June 24-28 as businesses share their secrets to a thriving workplace.

About us

Kirkwood Community College in Cedar Rapids is a globally recognized leader in higher education, where learner success has always been a focal point. For nearly 60 years, Kirkwood faculty and staff have cultivated a welcoming and motivating environment that meets students where they are and helps them get exactly where they want to be.

With one of the lowest tuitions in the state, more than 150 programs to choose from, flexible class offerings, and convenient locations across seven counties in Eastern Iowa, Kirkwood makes higher education more accessible for people from all walks of life. Through affordable and innovative educational training and impactful community partnerships, Kirkwood will continue to strengthen the regional workforce for years to come.

Describe your company’s culture in three words. What do these words mean in everyday practice?

Passionate, Innovative, and a Leader. Our employees pride themselves in helping each student succeed and lead regardless of job title.

How can someone continue to grow their skillsets and professional path while working for your company?

Kirkwood offers a variety of in-house professional development. We also have a great tuition benefit program for Continuing Education or pursuing a new degree.

What does work-life balance look like for employees within your organization?

At Kirkwood, we offer a generous amount of leave, including paid time off between Christmas and New Year’s and 12 Fridays off each summer. In the summer, full-time employees work 36 hours a week and are paid for 40. Employees look forward to the perks of time off.

Please share a recent employee success story. What set this person up for success, and what does their success mean for the company?

Morgan Bear was featured in The Gazette.

Morgan is a Program Advisor in Trio. This is a federally funded program that serves first-generation and low-income college students as well as students with disabilities.

Morgan was both a first-generation and low-income college student. During her senior year of high school, she had a pivotal moment learning about federal Indian boarding schools. At that moment, she decided to go to college, and with a lower grade point average, she ended up at Kirkwood. Morgan eventually transferred to the University of Northern Iowa and Iowa State University. When she finished, she came back to Kirkwood as an employee.

At Kirkwood, she brings culture and education. She brings programs and events to the students. Her success as an employee has helped students be successful. Morgan started at Kirkwood as a student, with employees helping her to be successful, and she now helps students be successful as a Kirkwood employee.

Learn about Morgan Bear, a program advisor with TRIO Student Support Services at Kirkwood Community College.

What is your company position when it comes to philanthropy and community engagement?

Kirkwood takes part in The United Way and Employee Giving Campaigns. Employees can make one-time donations or recurring payroll deductions to The United Way or student scholarships.

How is innovation and creativity encouraged in the workplace?

Innovation is something for which Kirkwood is known. One of our Core Competencies is “Advocate for Continual Improvement.” We have this in all our job descriptions; we look for this in our hiring process and are evaluated on this competency. Each year, we award an employee or group with the Innovation Award to recognize a program that improves efficiency and can be replicated by other institutions. Kirkwood is constantly assessing our community needs and updating programs to help our area train a skilled workforce. We even have a department dedicated to Academic Innovation, Strategy and Design.

If asked why an employee enjoys working at your company, what would be a typical response?

THE PEOPLE—We are passionate people who care about Kirkwood's mission. We also enjoy our work/life balance and great benefits!

Company Spotlight: June 24-28

Visit The Gazette’s Company Spotlight each day during the week of June 24-28 to learn more about what makes each company unique and envision yourself fitting in with their team.

Company Spotlight Schedule

– Monday, June 24: Company Spotlight Overview

– Tuesday, June 25: Mediacom

– Wednesday, June 26: Anamosa State Penitentiary

– Thursday, June 27: Kirkwood Community College

– Friday, June 28: Company Spotlight Overview

Date: June 24-28

Location: The Gazette’s Special Events - Company Spotlight