See Our Graduates

Congratulations to Workforce Training Academy Graduates!

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Summer 2023 Graduation

Pictured(Front L to R): Zarah Rezaei, Victoria Alonzo, Brandy Weber, Crystal Campbell. (Back L to R): Raimundo DeBerry, Jacey Dakovich, Zoey Hannan, Diamond Redwood, Kassandra Molloy, Karen Leon Symons, Madeline Lundy.

DMACC's Workforce Training Academy (WTA) hosted their 2023 Summer graduation last night at the Urban Campus.

It is always a special event and last night was no different.

WTA enrolled 64 students this summer with a 90% completion rate!

Our student speakers were Diamond Redwood who graduated from the Nurse Aide program and Zarah Rezaei who graduated from the Administrative Support Professional program. Such inspiring stories and this is only the beginning for them!!! We had 11 students attend graduation along with 63 family & friends to support them. DMACC continues to make a difference in our community on so many levels!!

Summer 2023

On June 8th, 13 students graduated from their 6-month long Industrial Electrical Maintenance program at Pella. WTA was able to partner with local employers to assist in training their employees.

Spring 2023

DMACC's Workforce Training Academy and Young Adult Program welcomed Spring graduates and their families and friends with a record breaking 160 in attendance! Congratulations to the over 90 students who completed their certificates this term.

Fall 2022

A Fall graduation was held December 15 at DMACC Urban Campus. 15 graduates were in attendance. (front row, left to right) Brenda, Hoyos Hernandez, Stephanie Tonkinson, Brianna Miller, Stephanie Martindale, Deja Crain, Madisen Moss. (back row, left to right) Perla Zargoza, Andrew Kafeero, Yen Yen Wong, Vakaideya Nagbo, September Standing, Em Pesce, Joel Siffuentes, Kyle Talley, Angel Garcia Espinoza.

https://fb.watch/ieE6Y-nly8/

Summer 2022

Congratulations to our Summer graduates.

A Summer graduation was held for the DMACC Workforce Training Academy (WTA) and Young Adult Program (YAP) graduates at the DMACC Urban Campus. 12 students were able to attend the graduation ceremony, including (front row, left to right) Sabreen Al-Hameed, Haziel Miranda, Patience Saplah, Manissa Joe, Prisha Rayburn, Zaid Tewelde; (back row) Katie Saravia, NeChelle Moore, Brian Mendoza, Isabella Guzman, Abu Bakarr Kabba Conteh, Zariah White.

Spring 2022

WTA Graduates Attend Spring Graduation at the Southridge Center

A spring graduation was held for the DMACC Workforce Training Academy (WTA) graduates at the DMACC Southridge Center. Eighteen students attended the WTA graduation ceremony, including (front row, left to right) Christina Carter of Ames, Petrita Perez Flores of Altoona, Tracy Frey of Des Moines, Galen Hawke of Ames and Heather Mohler of Polk City; (second row) Jesica Powell of Des Moines, Maria Figueroa Garcia of West Des Moines, Jatziri Jaquez pf Des Moines, Markaya Clark of Des Moines, Debra Kusel of Des Moines and Nancy Ruiz of Des Moines; (back row) Lizania Galdamez of Perry, Abigail Eisbrenner of Urbandale, Antonia Cameron of Des Moines, Mahagony Hodges of Des Moines, David Saah of Waukee, Joseph Santucci of West Des Moines and TreDeVonte Bekish of Des Moines.

WTA is a state-funded program offering training in the career areas of Business, Health Care, Skilled Trades and Transportation.

Spring WTA and YAP Graduation

Congratulations to the Spring 2022 WTA and YAP Graduates. Thank you to Deb Kusel for being our student speaker. Listen to her inspirational words.

May 2022

Congratulations to our Ames Welding graduates who completed training in May 2022!

(L to R) instructor Jeff Pratt, Lane Henkle, James Stewart, Chris Boeset, Trey Sinn and Joe Pimlott.

Ames Welding, Instructor Jeff Pratt, Lane Henkle, James Stewart, Chris Boeset, Trey Sinn, Joe Pimlott.jpg

Congratulations to our Ames CNA graduates who completed training in May 2022!

Sarah Ball

Vanessa Ellsbury

Christine Stammer

Rebekah Stammer

Zul Torres

Ames CNA students celebrate their graduation. Back L to R: Zul Torres, Sarah Ball, Hannah Lohafer, Rebekah Stammer.

Front L to R: Vanessa Ellsbury, Christine Stammer

February 2022

Congratulations to our CNA graduates who completed training at DMACC's Boone campus February 2022!

Front Row (L to R) Dana Kokhjohn and David Penissi

Back Row (L to R) Vonda Junck (program navigator) , Rebekka Reuter, Ben Hurd, Royce Blackledge, Hayley Shimanek

Fall 2021

We were able to celebrate our Fall graduates in person for the first time in two years on December 16, 2021!

Congratulations to all who earned certificates in Business, Healthcare, Skilled Trades and Transportation. You worked hard and it paid off.

Remember that we are here to support you in your journey, whether to assist as you search for employment and/or want to explore more educational opportunities at DMACC!

Fall 2021 Graduates: (Front Row - left to right) Emma Reinke, Jayden Wade, Corina Frey, Tay Mei, Janalle Ward, Aliyah Grimes (Back Row - left to right) Natalie Sweeney, James Hmohmo. Gerard Spencer, Taylor Jeffcott, Danielle Daniel, Tiffany Gist, Kassi Ransom, Derrick Troncoso,Marissa Catalan.

Ames Fall Graduates

Ames CNA Graduation and Employer Meet & Greet November 11, 2021

Congratulations to the following students who earned their Nurse Aide Certificate (CNA) at DMACC’s Boone Campus Fall 2021.

L to R--Jing Bai, Emily Severson, Chasity Moody, Mary Warner, Angelita Ewing, Alek Goll

After successfully completing their education, students attended a WTA Career Readiness Class in preparation for the Employer Meet & Greet. What a great opportunity to promote their newly obtained skills to employers in their community! Students were asked to share the best thing about their experiences with WTA:

Everyone was so kind and helpful. WTA allowed me to gain so much knowledge that I otherwise wouldn’t have been able to.
The best thing was the free tuition, along with detailed information and communication when I needed it.
The funding and the Employer Meet & Greet! The Meet & Greet educated me on a lot of options I didn’t know were available. Vonda was super helpful too!
How helpful and kind everyone was. They really eased my mind! And the training helped me improve my skills. I really appreciate all the support!
It helped me a lot! Very supportive in helping start my career!
Everything!!! Thanks to WTA, and to everything Vonda did to help, I have so much confidence and HOPE now!

Several students plan to further their education in nursing! Thanks to Vonda Junck, WTA Navigator and Nikki Fischer, Ames Chamber of Commerce for all you do to support our students!

Summer 2021

Congratulations to our Summer 2021 Graduates

Although we are celebrating your success virtually, we hope that you are able to take time to celebrate ‘safely’ with your family and friends.

You have accomplished so much this semester! Not only are our classes very fast-paced and demanding but most, if not all of you took classes online for the first time. This was not easy! You have overcome many challenges and accomplished great goals.

Enjoy your virtual graduation. We are proud of you!

Remember that WTA is here to support you in your journey, whether you are starting your career and/or you want to explore more educational opportunities at DMACC! Stay in touch with us! We want to hear about your successes and accomplishments AND we want to hear if you need assistance taking that next step!

CONGRATULATIONS WTA GRADUATES!!!

Spring 2021

Congratulations to our Spring 2021 graduates!

Although we are celebrating your success virtually, we hope that you are able to take time to celebrate ‘safely’ with your family and friends.

Enjoy your virtual graduation. We are proud of you!

CONGRATULATIONS WTA GRADUATES!!!

Fall 2020

Congratulations to our Fall 2020 graduates!

Although we are celebrating your success virtually, we hope that you are able to take time to celebrate ‘safely’ with your family and friends.

Enjoy your virtual graduation. We are all proud of you!

Remember that WTA is here to support you in your journey, whether to assist as you start your career or if you want to explore more educational opportunities at DMACC! Please remember to let us know about your successes and accomplishments as you start your new careers.

CONGRATULATIONS WTA GRADUATES!!!

Spring 2020

DMACC’s Workforce Training Academy had to cancel our Spring graduation but COVID-19 could not stop our 92 graduates!

The pandemic required DMACC to postpone Spring semester with most students completing classes online this summer. We also know that there were many life disruptions outside of the classroom but you persevered!!

This alone demonstrates the commitment you have to the life changes you are creating for yourselves and your families!
Enjoy your virtual graduation and share with your family and friends! We are all proud of you!

Remember that WTA is here to support you in your journey, whether to assist as you search for jobs and/or want to explore more educational opportunities at DMACC!

CONGRATULATIONS WTA GRADUATES!!!

Fall 2019

DMACC’s Workforce Training Academy held its Fall 2019 Graduation December 5th at DMACC’s Southridge Center. 175 family, friends and staff attended the event to celebrate our 78 Fall graduates! DMACC’s Vice President of Academic Affairs, MD Isley, provided the keynote speech and commended the students for their personal and academic accomplishments. It takes time, commitment, and dedication to be successful with any goal and these students proved it!

Also in attendance to support and recognize the graduates were Mike Hoffman, DMACC’s Director of Continuing Education and Felix Gallagher, DMACC’s Board of Directors.

Joseph Harkness and Brandi Debudey, MIG Welding graduates, each shared their story of job search challenges and how they believe the certificate training will help them reach their welding career goals.

We also celebrated the retirement of two welding instructors, Mike Medici and Don Quinn who taught many WTA students through the years. Thank you for the experience and guidance you provided to our students!

Keynote MD Isley

Student Speaker Joseph Harkness

Student Speaker Brandi Debudey

Instructors retiring (left) Mike Medici-instructor, (right) Don Quinn-instructor with (center) Angie Neville-CE Coordinator,

Patient Intake & Billing class
(left to right): Tracey Bradley (instructor), Sarah Butts, Deanna Moyle, Britany Diveley

MIG Welding
(left to right): Chris Contreras, Haben Tsegay, Joseph Harkness, Brandi Debudey, Alex Larson

Administrative Support Professional
(left to right): Jennifer Roman, Maria Montoya, Tanya Olberding, Jennifer Briggs, Urjita Savant, Gayle Vanzuuk, Octavia Bell, Jessica Weber, Sunayna Shrivastav, Dawn Kosotia

Sterile Processing/Supply Tech
(left to right): Chezney Crawford, Chalbie Ames, Tajuana Robinson, Jessica Charran, Katherine Lyons, Janaecia Sims, Taylor Houdesheldt, Indra Acharya, Debra Kyomugisha

Certified Nurse Aide
(left to right): Annette Medina, Sarah Robbins, Leslie Hiatt

Summer 2019

Nearly 80 students were honored on August 15th for completing training programs offered through DMACC Workforce Training Academy. Families, friends and loved ones gathered at DMACC’s Southridge Center to congratulate students that earned certificates for careers offered in healthcare, welding, and network cabling.

During the keynote speech, DMACC’s President, Rob Denson praised each student for the diligence and commitment they put forth to expand their opportunities. Also in attendance to support and recognize the graduates were Mike Hoffman, DMACC’s Director of Continuing Education; MD Isley, DMACC’s VP of Academic Affairs and Felix Gallagher, DMACC’s Board of Directors. Guest speaker, James Wynter (2019 MIG Welding graduate) talked about his journey and shared words encouraging the graduates to continue learning new skills and pushing to reach their goals. While many graduates have found employment, others have decided to further their education at DMACC.

Certified Nurse Aide
Pictured left to right: Dominique Stephenson, Kayla Lehman, Esther Chol, Ines Ponce-Barajas, Augustine Mulbah

Patient Intake & Billing
Pictured left to right: Abby Amenson, Jazmine Evans, Lakeitha Robinson, Martha Miranda, Por-Tia Porter, Ashley White, Shana Leeps

MIG Production Welding
Pictured left to right: Cheta Katle, Steven Lopez, James Wynter, Donald Blanco

Basic Network Cable Installation
Pictured left to right: Omujwok Nyikango, Bandit Vivanh, Shayla Hutchinson, Kolten Buster

Career Academy Welding graduates

Students completed 132 hours of training in this pilot WTA welding program at the Career Academy of Pella facility.

Students focused on Blueprint Reading and MIG production welding skills to prepare them for a career in a manufacturing setting.

Pictured left to right: Nick Jennings, Zach Kleinwort, Eric Cox–Instructor, Jordan Eatwell, Jim Stocker, Rich Kacmarynski-instructor (not pictured)

Fall 2017

Congratulations to our Fall 2017 Workforce Training Academy graduates

Summer 2017

16 completed the Patient Intake & Billing course and 1 student completed the Network Cable Installation course.

The graduates include (left to right): Rabin Shah of Des Moines, Carmen Trejo of Grimes, Micaela Mallett of Des Moines, Mikkah Daniels of Des Moines, Maritza Figueroa of Ankeny, Alondra Ordaz Torres of Des Moines, Mindy Romore of West Des Moines, LaCresha Harris of Des Moines, Albert Royce of West Des Moines, Sabitra Pyakurel Koirala of Des Moines, Deborah Moore of Murray, Pampha Pyakurel of Des Moines, Ginger Altmayer of Ankeny and Elizabeth Aldridge of Des Moines.

Fall 2016

Congratulations to our 2016 Workforce Training Academy graduates

December 2016

See Our Graduates

Workforce Training Academy

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Spring WTA and YAP Graduation

May 2022

​​February 2022

Congratulations to our Fall 2020 graduates!

Career Academy Welding graduates

February 2022