DMACC Daily

Title: Progress Grade/QA Reporting Term 4

Posted September 6, 2024

Part of Term 4 QA/Progress Reporting

Reminder to Faculty Part of Term 4 (August 21st - September 26th)

The web will open on Friday, September 6th at 8 a.m. for Progress Grade/QA Reporting for Part of Term 4. The web will close on Tuesday, September 10th at 11:59 p.m. 

DMACC in the News: Headlines & Highlights

Posted September 5, 2024

Be sure to check out these recent stories that feature DMACC and members of our College community:

KNIA-KRLS Radio (9/5/24), "Newton High School Students Are Taking Advantage of DMACC Courses" — Newton High School’s new principal says a high percentage of Newton students are taking advantage of the courses offered at Newton High School that carry college credits at Des Moines Area Community College. The courses are taught by High School instructors certified by DMACC. Michael Dale took over as Newton High School Principal July 1, following the retirement of 20-year Principal Bill Peters. Dale calls the DMACC course offerings an important tool in preparing Newton graduates for their future ... read more.

Business Record (9/4/24), "Two Dealerships Working with DMACC on Power Equipment Technology Degree, Internships" — A second company has joined Des Moines Area Community College’s program that lets students earn associate degrees while employed as interns at an agricultural dealership. Van Wall Equipment was the initial partner with DMACC on the Power Equipment Technology program in 2022. K.C. Nielsen Ltd., which has 11 Iowa locations, is joining as a second John Deere dealership sponsor this fall ... read more.

Iowa Capital Dispatch (9/2/24), "DMACC Partners With Intel for AI Skills Curriculum Development" — Des Moines Area Community College is working to incorporate artificial intelligence skills training across its program offerings through a partnership with Intel. The community college is set to become the first Intel AI for Workforce College partner in Iowa, with more than 110 participating universities spread throughout the U.S. Working with the company, DMACC will develop a non-credit certificate program this fall to teach students how to effectively use AI in the workplace, DMACC President Rob Denson said, with credit courses and AI competency curriculum to be worked into different areas of the college in the future ... read more.

Transport Topics (8/28/24), "States Boost CDL Training to Tackle Local Driver Shortages" — A handful of states are taking varied approaches to bolster the ranks of commercial truck drivers in the nation. U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) announced recently that four community colleges in his state received a total of $509,775 in U.S. Department of Transportation grants to expand their CDL training programs. In northern Des Moines, DMACC is constructing an 8,600-square-foot transportation institute, which will nearly double its CDL enrollment capacity. The facility, set to open in 2025, will include classrooms, a three-story inspection bay and study area. DMACC President Rob Denson, a CDL holder who drove trucks to pay for his college education, said the institute will significantly increase its pool of new drivers once the facility is complete next year. Trained truck drivers are in extremely high demand and our DMACC Transportation Institute graduates are finding themselves more valued than ever in today’s job market,” Denson said. “Recruiters from both local and over-the-road companies visit us weekly and many students obtain jobs even before they graduate" ... read more.

Radio Iowa (8/28/24), "Acclaimed Author Whose New Book Reimagines Waco Siege Makes Iowa Stops" — An internationally best-selling novelist and an alum of the Iowa Writer’s Workshop is appearing in Des Moines and Iowa City this week, while headlining the opening of the 22nd Annual DMACC Celebration of Literary Arts. Bret Anthony Johnston is director of the Michener Center for Writers at the University of Texas at Austin and says he’s thrilled to be returning to the Hawkeye State, saying, “my time in Iowa changed my life" ... read more and listen to the interview.

Iowa Capital Dispatch (8/26/24), "Brazilian Higher Education, Government Leaders Visit DMACC as Part of Iowa Tour" — Des Moines Area Community College took the first step in expanding its international relations with visitors from Brazil’s state of Mato Grosso, who toured the community college Monday to learn more about its operations and offerings. Representatives from Brazil’s government and Mato Grosso universities visited DMACC Urban Campus on their first day of a tour of central Iowa, which began with a meeting with Gov. Kim Reynolds. The group will also visit agriculture organizations and businesses, Iowa State University departments and the Farm Progress Show. The group will also attend the Minnesota State Fair before traveling home. Evandro Soares, director of the Federal University of Mato Grosso, said he was glad to visit DMACC and form a relationship between the state’s universities and explore possible partnerships for teaching, outreach and innovation ... read more.

Iowa Capital Dispatch (8/26/24), "Iowa Community Colleges Receive Federal Support to Expand CDL Training Programs" — Four Iowa community colleges will receive support for their commercial driver’s license training programs through U.S. Department of Transportation grants. Des Moines Area Community College, Hawkeye Community College, Iowa Central Community College and Western Iowa Tech Community College will receive a combined total of almost $510,000 to expand their CDL programs, according to a news release from U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley ... read more.

WHO-TV NBC 13 (8/26/24), "Brazilian Delegation Tours DMACC Urban Campus" — The largest community college had a chance to show off to a world audience today. Des Moines Area Community College hosted an 11-member delegation from Brazil ... watch here.

WHO-TV NBC 13 (8/26/24), "Heat Doesn’t Deter Golfers, Farm Progress Show in Boone" — The heat didn’t keep golfers off Cedar Point Golf Course in Boone on Monday. The DMACC Men’s Golf team was at the golf course. They were getting in the coach-required nine holes a day, but it was their choice to hit the links in the afternoon. The team made the NJCAA National Golf Championship last season and want to make it back again this year ... more here.

Corridor Business Journal (8/20/24), "UI Venture School Accepting Applications for Fall 2024 Cohort" — The University of Iowa Venture School entrepreneurial program is gearing up for another season, accepting applications for its Fall 2024 cohort. The statewide program launches the week of Sept. 23, meeting one night a week for seven weeks in six different locations. The class attendance will vary by location, with some offering fully remote, hybrid, or in-person options for the program’s duration, and each Venture School team will be assigned a local entrepreneur as its coach. The session’s final class is a Venture School Launch Day Competition, held the week of Nov. 4, and the cost is $299 per team. The program's Des Moines cohort is sponsored by Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC) and MidIowa SBDC and meets Wednesdays (starting Sept. 25) at the DMACC Urban Campus .... read more.

WHO 1040 News Radio (8/18/24), "Focus on Iowa" — On this week's "Focus" public affairs program, demand is rising for services in Iowa's Aging and Disability Office, and Director Zach Rhein explains how Iowans are connecting with those services; plus, Karen Swanson of DMACC and Wendy Mihm of Iowa Jobs for America's Graduates (iJAG) discuss a pilot program that enables Des Moines high school students to earn college credit while in high school ... listen here.

Iowa Soybean Association (8/15/24), "Soybean Camera Offers Viewers a Glimpse Into Soybean Growth" — The green pods are ready for their closeup in 2024, as the Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC) Camera turns its attention to soybeans. The live DMACC Iowa Soybean Camera, powered by Champion Seed, offers an immersive glimpse into the heart of agricultural life. This webcam provides an up-close and real-time view of the soybean growth cycle at the DMACC farm north of Adel ... read more.

KCCI-TV CBS 8 (8/14/24), "Dozens Pack Room During Community-Led Town Hall Focused on Des Moines Homelessness Ordinances" — A room was packed with people at the DMACC Urban Campus on Wednesday night, during a community-led town hall event that focused on concerns regarding proposed ordinances Des Moines city council members are looking into that would impact the city's homeless population. A U.S. Supreme Court decision handed down in June is making it easier for cities to remove homeless camps and people who sleep in public spaces. Cities across the country are looking into their ordinances, like Des Moines ... more here.

Center for Rural Affairs (8/13/24), "Iowa Community Colleges Meet Rising Demand for Clean Energy Workers" — The economic boom of clean energy across the Midwest has accelerated the demand for a qualified workforce in a rapidly growing industry. According to Clean Jobs Midwest, more than 734,000 new jobs have been created across the Midwest since 2022, and that number is expected to grow as projects funded through the federal Inflation Reduction Act begin. The IRA, passed in 2022, has infused nearly $370 billion nationwide into the renewable energy sector. In addition to the new capital, the IRA provides tax credits to incentivize high labor standards, such as ensuring equitable wages for workers during the deployment of clean energy projects. To meet the growing demand for workers to install, maintain, and repair the equipment, community colleges and technical schools, including Iowa Lakes Community College and Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC), offer technical training programs to supply students with the hands-on experience and essential skills needed to work as renewable energy technicians ... read more.

CBS National "Eye On America" Segment (8/12/24), "Workers Face Uncertainty After Closure of Tyson Plant That Employed 25% of Iowa Town" — Joe Swanson, a resident of Perry, Iowa, is no longer working in the town he loves and where his kids go to school. That's because the city's largest employer, a Tyson Foods pork plant, recently shut down. Swanson says when the company announced in March they were shuttering the plant, he couldn't risk unemployment because of his health issues. So when he found a new job with health benefits, he says he took it and left Tyson around six weeks before it officially closed on June 28. The plight of the so-called "one-factory" town is not new. In the 1970s, Youngstown, Ohio, was a thriving steel city of 140,000 people. The mills closed, and now the population is less than half of what it used to be, according to U.S. Census data. Ohio was hit hard again in 2008, when a shipping hub in Wilmington closed, leaving 42% of the working age population without a job. In Farmerville, Louisiana, a chicken plant that employed more than a third of the town shut down in 2009, the CBS News data team found. Back in Perry, people like Nacho Calderon are learning from history. After being laid off at the Tyson plant, he hopes to become a garbage or concrete truck driver. Driving garbage trucks in Perry requires a commercial drivers license. The local community college (DMACC) is giving trucking classes for free to give workers a shot at staying in town. Calderon says he's sad he lost his job, and also for his coworkers who may not have cars or much money to help them get back on their feet ... more here.

TheTrucker.com (8/12/24), "DMACC's Transportation Institute Receives Donation for Facility Construction" — The Des Moines Area Community College’s foundation got a substantial donation recently, according to a release from the school. Prairie Meadows recently awarded a Legacy Grant totaling $100,000 to the DMACC Foundation to help fund the construction of a new DMACC Transportation Institute on the north side of Des Moines. Prairie Meadows is a nonprofit organization dedicated to lessening the burden of government by promoting economic development, jobs, agriculture and tourism in the state of Iowa. The new DMACC Transportation Institute will allow the college to nearly double its enrollment capacity to help train the next generation of truck drivers ... read more.

Iowa Capital Dispatch (8/12/24), "DMACC Moves Ahead With New Facilities Planning for Dental, Diesel Programs" — Seeping groundwater. Cracked and bowing walls. Outdated equipment and facilities never meant to be utilized for so long. Des Moines Area Community College Board of Trustees members saw these first-hand Monday while touring buildings on the Ankeny campus slated for possible renovation or demolition under the college’s new facilities master plan. During its meeting, the board discussed two capital projects slated as priorities within the facilities master plan. The projects encompass programs in need of larger, more modern spaces. DMACC President Rob Denson said in an interview that the college hasn’t focused on these buildings for renovations or demolition before now because there have been other needs across campus and a limited amount of money. The faculty and staff have done a lot to keep the buildings suitable for use up until now, he said. “We want to get every ounce of life out of every facility we’ve got, and we pretty much don’t move on a new facility and tear something down until we’re at the end of life,” Denson said ... read more.

DMACC to host 1 Million Cups: Open to all interested in entrepreneurship and small business

Posted September 5, 2024

Wednesday, September 25^th One Million Cups Des Moines will host their weekly meeting at DMACC Urban. One Million Cups is a national, weekly networking opportunity for entrepreneurs and small business owners. It includes about 30 minutes of networking time followed by a short presentation/business pitch. This is a great way to get introduced to the small business and entrepreneurial community. We will meet at DMACC Urban, building 7 in the student lounge area. Coffee and networking at 8:00am with a business presentation at 8:30. Open to all. Contact Jacki Boldt at jlboldt@dmacc.edu with questions.

DMACC Transportation Institute Receives Grant From Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

Posted September 5, 2024

Grant funding will help improve driver safety and create career opportunities in Central Iowa

DMACC receives a $127,400 federal grant to help improve roadway safety by providing training for those pursuing a CDL.
The grant will pay the full cost of tuition for qualified individuals.
It also creates new pathways for career opportunities as drivers in the commercial motor vehicle industry.
DMACC is one of four Iowa community colleges to receive the grant.

The DMACC Transportation Institute has received $127,400 in funding from the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) through a Commercial Motor Vehicle Operational Safety (CMVOST) grant for federal fiscal year 2024. The funding will pay the cost of tuition for students who are pursuing their Commercial Driver's License (CDL). Qualified individuals include veterans and their family members and underrepresented populations.

The mission of FMCSA is to reduce crashes, injuries and fatalities involving large trucks and buses.

“At FMCSA, our job is all about safety – that includes safety of the roadways and safety of our nation's commercial motor vehicle drivers," said FMCSA Deputy Administrator Vinn White. “So, we are proud to make this funding available, and are committed to working with the awardees to put it to good use, making it easier for drivers to enter into and stay in the CMV industry."

The agency is awarding more than $3.5 million to states and other entities through the CMVOST grant, which seeks to reduce the severity and number of crashes on our nation's roads involving large trucks and buses by expanding the number of CDL holders possessing enhanced operator safety training.

The CMVOST grant program has three goals:

To expand the number of CDL holders possessing enhanced operator safety training;
To provide opportunities for current or former members of the United States Armed Forces (including National Guard members and reservists) and their families to enter the trucking or busing industry as drivers;
To increase training opportunities for candidates from rural, refugee and underserved communities.

White said this grant will help reduce the severity and number of crashes on our nation's roads involving large trucks and buses by expanding the number of CDL holders possessing enhanced operator safety training. The focus on attracting veterans and individuals from underserved communities helps expand and diversify the trucking industry. The grant also highlights the Biden-Harris Administration's continued commitment to its Trucking Action Plan, increasing the pool of trained drivers to strengthen the trucking workforce. Strengthening our nation's trucking workforce also improves the resiliency of our national supply chain.

“This grant will support the trucking industry by developing more safe drivers to address the trucking needs in Iowa," said Derrick Walker, Director of Manufacturing, Engineering, Trades & Transportation (METT) at DMACC. “It will also assist veterans in transitioning to trucking careers after their service and provide funding for underserved populations to receive training and secure rewarding careers in the industry."

DMACC President Rob Denson who worked his way through college by driving trucks still maintains his CDL. He said this support would have a lasting impact on student success.

“A career as a commercial driver can launch a great career and lead anywhere. If you're not careful you might end up as a college president. And I'm still driving," Denson said.

DMACC was one of four Iowa community colleges to receive this federal funding. Iowa Central Community College received $119,000; Hawkeye Community College received $132,375 and Western Iowa Tech Community College received $131,000. DMACC has received this award annually since 2019.

The DMACC Transportation Institute's Commercial Vehicle Operator Training course requires students to first complete an online theory course and then a three-week, behind-the-wheel driving course. The total program meets FMCSA standards and regulations for Entry-Level Driver Training. DMACC is also an authorized Iowa DOT third-party testing provider, so upon successful completion of the course, students can complete testing and obtain their Commercial Driver's License (CDL) efficiently.

The DMACC Transportation Institute accepts students on a rolling basis throughout the year. To learn more, visit cdl.dmacc.edu.

The DMACC Transportation Institute is undergoing a multi-million dollar expansion project will allow the College to nearly double its enrollment capacity to help train the next generation of truck drivers. The project includes construction of an 8,600-square-foot facility with classrooms, a three-story inspection bay and student study space. Additionally, the Institute's current 12-acre concrete training course, which is where students practice driving techniques, will be repaved.

Construction of the new DMACC Transportation Institute is already underway and is set to be completed in 2025.

Blindsided by the Taliban by Carmen Gentile

Posted September 5, 2024

While embedded with the Army in Afghanistan, photojournalist Carmen Gentile was shot by a rocket propelled grenade. He will discuss escaping death, recovering, and returning to the front lines. Gentile has written for the New York Times, TIME, Newsweek, and USA Today. He is the founder and editor-at-large for Postindustrial. The event is sponsored by War and the Human Experience Speaker Series and will be in Building 7 Room 170.

https://www.dmacc.edu/veterans/Pages/series.aspx

Blindsided by the Taliban by Carmen Gentile

Posted September 5, 2024

https://www.dmacc.edu/veterans/Pages/series.aspx

Blindsided by the Taliban by Carmen Gentile

Posted September 5, 2024

https://www.dmacc.edu/veterans/Pages/series.aspx

Sept. 12th: Academic Achievement Center (AAC) Info Session at West Campus

Posted September 5, 2024

Join us at 12:15 p.m. on Thur., Sept. 12th, in the Ellipse to learn about everything that the Academic Achievement Center (AAC) at the the West Campus has to offer!

With any questions, please email Jennie Doke-Kerns at jadokekerns@dmacc.edu.

DMACC English Prof. Marc Dickinson's Debut Collection of Short Stories Set for Sept. 10th Release

Posted September 4, 2024

Dickinson (above) will read from "Replacement Parts" on Sept. 11th at Beaverdale Books in Des Moines

“Replacement Parts," a collection of short stories by DMACC English Professor Marc Dickinson, will be released by Atmosphere Press on Sept. 10th.
The collection features 12 linked stories that follow a recurring cast of characters as they navigate their way from adolescence to adulthood in small-town America.
In conjunction with the book's release, Dickinson will read from the collection, participate in a Q&A and sign copies of his work during a FREE event on Sept. 11th at Beaverdale Books in Des Moines.

DMACC English Professor Marc Dickinson will celebrate the Sept. 10th release of “Replacement Parts," his debut collection of short stories with Atmosphere Press, at 6:30 p.m. on Wed., Sept. 11th, at Beaverdale Books in Des Moines.

During the special event, Dickinson will read excerpts from his new collection, participate in a Q&A and sign copies of his work. There is no cost to attend, and everyone is welcome.

“The short stories in 'Replacement Parts' focus on characters who are struggling with their personal demons and societal expectations in small-town America," said Dickinson, who also leads the DMACC Celebration of Literary Arts in addition to teaching creative writing at DMACC. “This collection was years in the making, and I found inspiration from the many stories and memories that people have shared with me over the years about living in Iowa – as well as my own experiences living in the state."

Dickinson's short stories have also appeared in Shenandoah, Cream City Review, North American Review, The Greensboro Review, Chattahoochee Review, Beloit Fiction Journal, South Dakota Review, American Literary Review (as winner of the ALR Fiction Prize), as well as numerous other journals. He holds an MFA from Colorado State University and now lives in Iowa with his wife and two children.

For more information about “Replacement Parts" and Dickinson, click here.

To contact Dickinson, please email madickinson@dmacc.edu.

Replacement Parts: Overview

In Dexton, Iowa, every man, woman, and child grapples with the challenges of small-town life, each seeking redemption—or escape—from a land to which they're deeply rooted. The local sheriff searches for a missing girl while trying to reconcile with his estranged daughter. A returning soldier, haunted by violent visions, finds his hometown no longer feels like home. When a girl loses her mother, she forges an unlikely family with a mysterious drifter and a man claiming to be her father. Within a center for troubled teens, intersecting narrators get caught in purgatory between the past and future. And in the title story, a child befriends a sick classmate, forcing the boy to pick sides in a school that shuns weakness.

In “Replacement Parts," we witness a recurring cast of characters as they navigate their way from adolescence to adulthood. Intimate in nature but novelistic in scope, these 12 linked stories span the generations, each replacing the next until everyone is finally forced to face their own dark history.

Military Affiliated & Veteran Student Opportunity: Participate in Roundtable Discussions

Posted September 4, 2024

WHO: DMACC Military Affiliated and Veteran Students

WHAT: Roundtable discussions facilitated by DMACC faculty and staff members

WHEN: Sept. 9th (in-person), Sept. 10th (in-person) or Sept. 16th (virtual only)

WHERE: Ankeny Campus and Virtual Option

WHY: The DMACC Military and Veterans Employee and Student Resource Group is looking for students to participate in roundtable discussions to identify students' perceptions, experiences and needs for the Resource Group. Snacks will be provided for in-person participants.

SIGN-UP: https://bit.ly/MilitaryAffiliatedVeteranStudentRoundtable

With any questions, please contact Erin Gauer at (515) 964-6867 or ecgauer@dmacc.edu.

Get Involved with DMACC Student Newspapers

Posted September 3, 2024

The DMACC student newspapers at the College's Ankeny, Boone and Urban Campuses are always looking for help!

Students have the opportunity to write news stories and opinion columns, take photos at events, create social media content and even record podcasts. No experience is necessary! Students can either volunteer as a staff member or get course credit with a directed study (ask your campus newspaper advisor for more details).

Ankeny Campus: The Campus Chronicle student newspaper meets from 11:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m., M/W/F, in Bldg. #5, Room 1136, at the Ankeny Campus. With any questions, contact Campus Chronicle advisor Andy Langager at ajlangager@dmacc.edu.
Boone Campus: The Banner News student newspaper meets from 12:50 p.m. to 1:45 p.m., Mon.-Thur., in Room 115, at the Boone Campus. With any questions, contact Banner News advisor Lisa Kahookele at lmkahookele@dmacc.edu.
Urban Campus: The Urban Vibe student newspaper meets from 10:15 a.m. to 12 p.m., M/W, in Bldg. #1, Room 233, at the Urban Campus. With any questions, contact Urban Vibe advisor Aimee Langager at anlangager@dmacc.edu.

Sept. 11th: Forage Fest at Urban Campus

Posted September 3, 2024

Sustainable Urban and the Urban Campus Library are hosting Forage Fest on Wed., Sept. 11th, in the Food Forest at the Urban Campus!

During this fun event, you will be able to sample foraged foods and learn how to identify edible wild plants; take a self-guided tour around the Food Forest to see the signage pointing out forageables; and check outt books available on-site from the DMACC Urban Campus Library. Become a Pro Forager!

Meet in the DMACC Urban Food Forest (located on the SE side of Bldg. #1). In case of rain, meet in the Library Classroom (Bldg. #1, Room 114).

With any questions, please email Natalie Valpey at nnvalpey@dmacc.edu.

Sept. 6th: Tailgate in Knott Commons at Carroll Campus

Posted September 3, 2024

In celebration of this weekend's #CyHawk football game, support your favorite team by wearing Iowa Hawkeye or Iowa State Cyclone gear on Fri., Sept. 6th, at the DMACC Carroll Campus! Be sure to stop by the Knott Commons throughout the day to enjoy your favorite tailgate food and fun, too.

With any questions, please email Lexie Vande Hoef at lsvandehoef@dmacc.edu.

PHOTOS: DMACC Celebration of Literary Arts Opens 2024-25 Author Series With Bret Anthony Johnston

Posted September 3, 2024

Best-selling novelist and former professional skateboarder Bret Anthony Johnston (above) kicks off the 2024-25 DMACC Celebration of Literary Arts on Thur., Aug. 29th, at the DMACC Ankeny Campus.

Now in its 22nd year, the DMACC Celebration of Literary Arts regularly spotlights a variety of prominent authors throughout the academic year. Visiting authors read from their work, participate in Q&As and sign copies of their work for those in attendance. And the best part? All DMACC Celebration of Literary Arts events are free and open to the public.

DMACC students, faculty and staff, as well as members of the public, listen intently as author Bret Anthony Johnston (above, at podium) reads a passage from his latest novel "We Burn Daylight" (2024, Random House) on Thur., Aug. 29th, at the DMACC Ankeny Campus.

"We Burn Daylight" revists the true events that unfolded more than 30 years ago during the siege of the Branch Davidian compound near Waco, Texas, with a fictionalized account of two star-crossed lovers in the doomsday cult. The novel explores themes of love, faith and survival while asking the question, "What would you sacrifice for the person you love?"

Author Bret Anthony Johnston (above, at podium), who grew up on the Gulf Coast of Texas, tells attendees about his writing process, including the 10 years he spent writing his latest book.

"I never expected writing to be easy or fast," said Johnston, when asked what has helped him became a successful writer. "For me, the most important thing is to show up for work and write every day."

Bret Anthony Johnston (above) smiles while listening to an audience member's question during a DMACC Celebration of Literary Arts event on Thur., Aug. 29th, at the DMACC Ankeny Campus.

After selling his television to buy his first skateboard almost 40 years ago, Johnston went on to become a professional skateboarder, and the sport – along with writing – remains one of his great passions. Today, he is an internationally best-selling author, with his novels “We Burn Daylight” and “Remember Me Like This,” as well as his multi-award-winning collection “Corpus Christi: Stories,” having earned fans far and wide. Johnson also edited “Naming the World: And Other Exercises for the Creative Writer” and wrote the skateboarding documentary film “Waiting for Lightning,” which was released in theaters around the world.

Johnston currently serves as the Director of the Michener Center for Writers at the University of Texas at Austin after previously directing the creative writing program at Harvard University for more than a decade. You can still catch him on his skateboard every now and then, too!

Anthony Mazarguil (right), a DMACC Business-Transfer student from Cameroon, chats with author Bret Anthony Johnston (left) on Thur., Aug. 29th, as Johnston autographs a copy of his latest book, “We Burn Daylight,” for Mazarguil on Thur., Aug. 29th, following the DMACC Celebration of Literary Arts' first event of the 2024-25 academic year. Attendees were able to snag a free, hardcover copy of "We Burn Daylight" at the event (while supplies lasted!).

DMACC English Professor Marc Dickinson (above, right), who coordinates the DMACC Celebration of Literary Arts, holds a copy of author Bret Anthony Johnston's latest novel, "We Burn Daylight," while posing for a photo with Johnston (right) following his appearance at the DMACC Celebration of Literary Arts on Thur., Aug. 29th, at the College's Ankeny Campus.

To learn more about the DMACC Celebration of Literary Arts, visit cla.dmacc.edu.

DMACC Women's Cross Country Team Wins Bill Buxton Invitational

Posted September 3, 2024

Five DMACC runners finish seventh or better

Sophomore Kayden Spencer (above) leads the Bears with a second-place finish.
Sophomore Grace Collins and freshman Jaycie Vohs are third and fourth, respectively.
Freshman Abigail Harding and sophomore Tori Yunggebauer finished fifth and seventh, respectively.

The DMACC women's cross country team began the 2024 season on a positive note with a victory in the Bill Buxton Invitational on Aug. 30th at Indianola.

The Bears, led by a second-place finish from sophomore Kayden Spencer of Boone, scored 21 points and came away with a 15-point advantage over runner-up Simpson College (SC). SC's Teghan Booth won the individual competition with a time of 16 minutes, 17 seconds, over the 4K course.

Spencer's second-place time was 16:54 and she led four other DMACC runners to seventh place or better. And all DMACC runners finished 16th or better.

Sophomore Grace Collins of Johnston finished third in 17:15 and freshman Jaycie Vohs of Galva was fourth in 17:16. Freshman Abigail Harding of Iowa Falls crossed the finish line in 17:17, good for fifth place, and sophomore Tori Yunggebauer of Williamsburg was seventh in 17:25. Freshman Dakota Tromblay of Ogden rounded out DMACC's performance with a 16th-place finish in 19:15.

The DMACC women's cross country team will run in the Trent Smith Invitational on Sept. 13th at Mason City.

DMACC Men's Cross Country Team Finishes Second in Bill Buxton Invitational

Posted September 3, 2024

Bears score 43 points and finish 10 points behind Simpson College

Freshman Eli Page (above) leads DMACC with a fifth-place finish.
Sophomores Jordan King and Will Thompson place sixth and seventh, respectively.
All seven DMACC runners finish 18th or better.

The DMACC men's cross country team made its 2024 debut on Aug. 24th at the Bill Buxton Invitational at Indianola and came away with a second-place finish.

Freshman Eli Page of Vinton and sophomores Jordan King of Ogden and Will Thompson of Clive finished fifth, sixth and seventh, respectively, as the Bears scored 43 points and finished 10 points behind the 33 points scored by Simpson College (SC). Spencer Moon of the Simpson College Alumni took medalist honors with a time of 19 minutes, 12 seconds, over the 6K course.

Page's fifth-place time was 19:59 and King and Thompson crossed the finish line in 20:00 and 20:03, respectively. Freshmen Elijah Blix of Vinton and Zack Stoermer of Des Moines closed out the DMACC scoring with 11th- and 14th-place finishes, respectively. Blix crossed the finish line in 20:21 and Stoermer's time was 20:29 .

Freshman Owen Almelien of Greene and sophomore Patrick Heffernan of Dunlap also competed for DMACC, placing 16th and 18th, respectively. Almelien's time was 20:33 and Heffernan posted a time of 20:34.

Five other members of the DMACC men's cross country team also ran in the meet. Freshman Daniel Schoening of Ankeny finished in 23rd place with a time of 20:49. Freshman Caden Brown of Muscatine was 28th in 21:22 and sophomore Eli Bergman of Hoffman, Minn., was 30th. Also turning in a time of 21:22. DMACC got a 35th-place finish from sophomore Jake Hitchcock of Johnston and a 38th-place finish from freshman Hunter Landphair of Adel. Hitchcock's time was 21:46 and Landphair posted a time of 21:53.

The DMACC men's cross country team will compete in the Trent Smith Invitational on Sept. 13th at Mason City.

Sept. 18th: EKD Center to Host FREE Hiring Series Event

Posted August 30, 2024

Featured employers will include Mom's Meals, United States Postal Service (USPS), Dee Zee and Oakridge Neighborhood

All Hiring Series events are free and open to the public, with upcoming events scheduled for Aug. 7th, Aug. 21st, Sept. 4th and Sept. 18th.

Each event will feature a local employer, with opportunities for job seekers to learn more about available positions, ask questions and schedule or conduct an interview.

The Evelyn K. Davis Center for Working Families at DMACC also offers walk-in services and appointments with a Career Coach for resume assistance, free of charge.

The Evelyn K. Davis Center for Working Families at DMACC is excited to invite Metro-area job seekers to attend its free Hiring Series, with upcoming events scheduled for Aug. 7th, Aug. 21st, Sept. 4th and Sept. 18th.

During each event, representatives from a featured local employer will be available to meet with job seekers and answer questions about current job openings, as well as to screen, schedule and conduct interviews.

There is no cost to attend any of the Hiring Series events, which are open to the public. No registration is required.

All Hiring Series events will be held at the Evelyn K. Davis Center for Working Families, which is located adjacent to the DMACC Urban Campus in Des Moines. The Center's address is 1171 7th Street, Des Moines.

Upcoming events are as follows:

Wed., Sept. 18th, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Oakridge Neighborhood

Attendees are encouraged to bring copies of their resume to the Hiring Series events. For anyone who needs help creating or updating a resume, the Evelyn K. Davis Center for Working Families provides walk-in services or appointments with a Career Coach, free of charge. To schedule an appointment, click here or call the Center at (515) 697-7700.

To learn more about the Evelyn K. Davis Center for Working Families, visit evelynkdaviscenter.org.

With any questions about the Hiring Series, please contact Michele Brown or Joy Esposito at (515) 697-7700 or email info@EvelynKDavisCenter.org.

Sept. 2024 Edition: Stall Street Times at Newton Campus

Posted August 30, 2024

The August 2024 edition of the Stall Street Times at the DMACC Newton Campus is now available.

Click here to download/print a PDF version of the newsletter.

With any questions, please email Brittany Tiffey at batiffey@dmacc.edu.

Sept. 19th: Author Heather Gudenkauf to Visit Urban Campus

Posted August 29, 2024

Iowa author Heather Gudenkauf will visit the DMACC Urban Campus at 11 a.m. on Thur., Sept. 19th, in Bldg. #1, Rooms 141/142 to read from her work and participate in a Q&A and book signing! Gudenkauf is the author of several mystery novels, including the recently published "Everyone Is Watching." Her work incorporates Iowa as a setting, bringing the plot closer to home.

There is no cost to attend this event and all are welcome! Light refreshments will be provided.

With any questions, please email Natalie Valpey at nnvalpey@dmacc.edu.

Sept. 23rd & 24th: Plant Party at Urban Campus

Posted August 29, 2024

Join us from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. on both Mon., Sept. 23rd, and Tues., Sept. 24th, in the Urban Campus Library (Bldg. #1, Room 103) for FREE plant propagations and more! Bring your own planter or choose a recycled container to decorate. Pick a provided propagated plant and plant it in your newly decorated vessel. Plus, check out a book on how to care for a garden, houseplants and related subjects, and learn about the Sustainable Urban Club, STEM and the DMACC Library.

With any questions, please email Natalie Valpey at nnvalpey@dmacc.edu.

Tutors Needed at Ankeny Campus

Posted August 29, 2024

DMACC students, are you passionate about helping others?

Have you excelled in your own courses?

The DMACC Ankeny Campus Tutoring Department is hiring tutors! If you’ve earned a B+ or better in any of the courses listed below, you’re eligible to apply to serve as a tutor for those courses.

Tutoring schedule: Flexible, based on your availability.

Courses of greatest need:

ADN 210, 240, 450
CHM 122
CIS 152
ENC 120
HIS 110
MAT 110, 156, 217, 772

How to apply:

Just stop by the Tutoring Office any time between 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., Mon.-Fri., or from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., Mon.-Thur., in Bldg. #6, Room 20, at the Ankeny Campus, or email us at tutor@dmacc.edu.

Register Now! — 2024 DMACC 5K Walk/Run & Kids Fun Run Events

Posted August 26, 2024

Lace up your sneakers and join us for this year's DMACC 5K Walk/Run!

The 7th Annual DMACC 5K Walk/Run will be held starting at 8 a.m. on Sat., Sept. 28th, at the DMACC Ankeny Campus. The course is once again certified and chip-timed for those running in the event. Strollers and pups (on leash and socialized) are welcome!

While the event is hosted by the DMACC Alumni Association, it is open to EVERYONE. Proceeds from the event will help support DMACC student scholarships through the DMACC Foundation.

Prizes will be offered in several categories, and all participants will receive a participant bag, race medal, warm breakfast burrito and more!

Cost is $35 per person until Sept. 9th. You will also be guaranteed a Brooks dri-fit shirt if you register by this date.

After Sept. 9th, the registration goes up to $40, and the cost after Sept. 23rd is $45.

PLUS, new this year, we have added a KIDS FUN RUN! The cost to participate in the Fun Run is $10 per person. Those ages 3-4 will run 50 yards, and those ages 5-7 will run 100 yards. Registration prior to Sept. 23rd will guarantee participants a medal. In addition, all participants will receive entrance into the Fun Zone activity area following the run.

How to register:

For full event details and to register, visit dmacc5k.dmacc.edu.

Interested in volunteering?

If you are not able to participate as a runner or walker but would like to volunteer at the event, please sign up online.

We hope you can join us!

Sept. 18th: 'Dive into DMACC' Event at Boone Campus

Posted August 22, 2024

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DMACC students, be sure to join us for our upcoming "Dive Into DMACC" Involvement Fair from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Wed., Sept. 18th, in the Courter Center at the DMACC Boone Campus! The event is a great opportunity to learn about a variety of DMACC student clubs and activities and how YOU can get involved on campus.

With any questions about this event, please email Amanda Strayer at arstrayer@dmacc.edu.

Sept. 18th: Volleyball Tie-Dye-Out Game at Boone Campus

Posted August 22, 2024

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DMACC Bears, be sure to wear your tie-dye to the DMACC Volleyball Tie-Dye-Out game vs. Iowa Central Community College at 7 p.m. on Wed., Sept. 18th, at home in the Den!

You can also prep for the match by stopping by our Pep Table from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. on Tues., Sept. 3rd, in the Courter Center, where students will be able to create a FREE Tie-Dye-Out T-shirt.

With any questions, please email Amanda Strayer at arstrayer@dmacc.edu.

Sept. 11th: ICI Bistro Opens for Fall Semester Gourmet Lunch Experience at Ankeny Campus

Posted August 21, 2024

This fall, Bistro at the Iowa Culinary Institute at DMACC will offer a Gourmet Lunch Experience, prepared entirely by DMACC Culinary students, from 11:15 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Wed. through Fri., beginning Wed., Sept. 11th, through Fri., Dec. 6th, in Bldg. #7 at the Ankeny Campus.

Reservations are required and tables fill quickly!

Submit your Bistro reservation request online here.

To learn more about Bistro, click here.

We hope to see you at Bistro very soon!

Sept. 11th: Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) Kickoff Meeting at Ankeny Campus

Posted August 21, 2024

Attention, DMACC students: If you're a current member of the Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) international Honor Society at the DMACC Ankeny Campus or if you've been invited to join PTK this fall, be sure to join us for our PTK Fall Kickoff meeting!

The meeting will be held from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Wed., Sept. 11th, in Bldg. #5, Room 1240E, at the Ankeny Campus, and if you can't attend in person, you can also join LIVE from anywhere via Zoom: https://DMACC.zoom.us/j/92746386293

Please RSVP: If you plan to attend, please RSVP at this link so we can plan for catering.

During the meeting, you'll learn more about PTK scholarship opportunities, our community service work and all the cool things that PTK is doing this semester. Plus, we’ll have FREE pizza and some PTK giveaways!

If you have any questions about PTK in the meantime, you can email PTK Faculty Advisor Dan Platt at djplatt1@dmacc.edu.

If you’d like to stay up to date on what’s happening with PTK, you can also:

Follow us on Instagram: @dmaccankenyptk
Bookmark our events calendar: https://tinyurl.com/mpzaz9un

Sept. 12th, 23rd & 25th: Join a 30-Minute DMACC London Study Abroad Virtual Info Session

Posted August 21, 2024

DMACC students, are you interested in studying abroad in London, one of Europe's most diverse and vibrant cities, during the Spring 2025 semester? If so, now is a great time to learn more and start planning!

Join one of our 30-minute DMACC London Study Abroad Virtual Info Sessions via Zoom this fall to find out how the program is structured, how to pay for your trip and what you can learn from studying abroad.

Fall sessions will be offered as follows:

Thur., Sept. 12th, 3 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., via Zoom
Mon., Sept. 23rd, 6 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., via Zoom
Wed., Sept. 25th, 9 a.m. to 9:30 a.m., via Zoom
Wed., Oct. 2nd, 12:15 p.m. to 12:45 p.m., via Zoom
Tues., Oct. 8th, 2:30 p.m. to 3 p.m., via Zoom

How to attend:

To attend, email DMACC Study Abroad Coodinator Bethany Sweeney at StudyAbroad@dmacc.edu and include the following information in your email:

Your first and last name
Your preferred pronouns
Your DMACC email address
Your major/program of study at DMACC
The date/time of the Info Session you'd like to attend

You will then receive an email reply from Bethany that includes a Zoom link to attend your preferred session.

Want more info before then? Interested in learning about other DMACC Study Abroad opportunities, such as our regularly scheduled 10-day trip to Belize in May? Be sure to visit dmacc.edu/studyabroad and/or email StudyAbroad@dmacc.edu for more details and contact information!

Sept. 11th: 'Dive Into DMACC' at Ankeny Campus

Posted August 21, 2024

DMACC students, are you looking to join a club?

Trying to find resources on campus?

Join us for "Dive Into DMACC" from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Wed., Sept. 11th, in the Bldg. #5 Student Center at the Ankeny Campus! This fun event is a great opportunity to learn more about what DMACC has to offer. Stop by and check out a variety of info tables staffed by our student clubs and DMACC department, and talk with students who are currently involved, connect with others and find resources on campus to help you succeed.

With any questions about his event, email Erin Smith at elsmith5@dmacc.edu.

We hope to see you there!

Oct. 8th: Wrestling Icon Dan Gable to Speak at DMACC Boone Campus Fundraising Dinner

Posted August 21, 2024

All proceeds from the event will go to support student scholarships at the DMACC Boone Campus

Dan Gable was an undefeated three-time Iowa high school wrestling champion from Waterloo West High School.
Gable was a two-time NCAA wrestling champion finishing his college career with a 117-1 record, losing only in the NCAA final match of his senior season.
Gable won the Gold Medal for the U.S. wrestling team in 1972.
Gable coached the University of Iowa to 21 Big Ten Championships and 15 NCAA Division I Championships.

Iowa native Dan Gable, a former high school and collegiate wrestler and University of Iowa wrestling coach, will speak at the Fareway Fieldhouse at the DMACC Boone Campus at 5:30 p.m. on Tues., Oct. 8th, with all proceeds from the event going to support student scholarships at the DMACC Boone Campus.

Gable, who is often considered to be the greatest amateur wrestler in American history, was an undefeated, three-time state wrestling champion at Waterloo West High School. He went on to wrestle at Iowa State University, where he became a two-time National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I national champion and a three-time finalist. Gable's career record in college was 117-1, losing only to Larry Owings of the University of Washington in the NCAA final match during his senior season.

Gable went on to win a gold medal at the 1971 World Championships and a gold medal in the 1972 Olympic Games. In the Olympic Games in Munich, Gable won all six of his matches without giving up a single point. After retiring from competition, Gable moved inot coaching and served as the head wrestling coach at the University of Iowa from 1976 to 1997. As a head coach, Gable compiled a dual meet record of 355-21-5. His teams dominated the sport of wrestling, winning 21 Big Ten Championships and 15 NCAA Division I titles.

Gable has been named to the USA Wrestling Hall of Fame, the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame, the National Wrestling Hall of Fame and is the name sake of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame Dan Gable Museum in Waterloo. He was also the recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2020.

"Our upcoming event with Dan Gable is more than just an evening of inspiration; it's a crucial opportunity to support the next generation of students at the DMACC Boone Campus," said Tara Connolly, Executive Director of the DMACC Foundation. “Every dollar raised will go directly toward scholarships, making higher education accessible to more students. We are honored to have a legend like Dan Gable join us in this effort, and we look forward to an unforgettable night of community and generosity."

This event is open to the public. The cost is $100 per person or $800 for a table of eight. The ticket price includes admission, two complimentary drink tickets, dinner and dessert. Reservations are limited to the first 400 guests. The registration deadline is Tues., Oct. 1st.

Registration and a social hour will begin at 5:30 p.m. in the Fareway Fieldhouse at 1125 Hancock Drive in Boone. A dinner will start at 6:30 p.m. with Gable's presentation, "Dan Gable: A Gold Medal Performance," set to begin at 7:30 p.m. followed by a meet-and-greet. KCCI-TV's Scott Reister will be the emcee for the evening. Vision Bank is the Speaker Sponsor for the event.

To register for the event, visit gable.dmacc.edu.

Sept. 12th: Part-Time Job Fair at Ankeny Campus

Posted August 21, 2024

Looking for a part-time job in the Ankeny/Des Moines metro area? Stop by and connect with employers during our Part-Time Job Fair from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Thur., Sept. 12th, in the main hallway of the Bldg. #5 Student Center at the Ankeny Campus!

More than 20 businesses and on-campus departments are expected to be on-hand to recruit for a wide variety of part-time jobs, including federal work study, retail/customer service, childcare/education, social services, fitness/athletics, banking/financial services and more! Click here to view event details and profiles of attending employers and departments.

This event is being co-hosted by DMACC Career Services and DMACC Student Activities.

For details about other upcoming career fairs at the Ankeny campus, visit dmacc.edu/careerfair.

Sept. 27th-Oct. 6th: DMACC Ankeny Theatre Production of 'A: I Love You'

Posted August 21, 2024

Mark your calendar for the DMACC Ankeny Theatre's first production of the 2024-25 Season, "A: I Love You."

"A: I Love You" will run Sept. 27th-Oct. 6th, with all performances taking place in the Black Box Theatre in the Bldg. #5 Student Center at the DMACC Ankeny Campus. All performances are FREE to attend and everyone is welcome!

To get your FREE tickets, visit: Free Tickets – A: I Love You

Performance dates/times are as follows (doors will open 30 minutes prior to start time):

Fri., Sept. 27th, 7:30 p.m.
Sat., Sept. 28th, 7:30 p.m.
Sun., Sept. 29th, 2:00 p.m.
Thurs., Oct. 3rd, 7:30 p.m.
Fri., Oct. 4th, 7:30 p.m.
Sat., Oct. 5th, 7:30 p.m.
Sun., Oct. 6th, 7:30 p.m.

Questions can be directed to theatre@dmacc.edu.

About "A: I Love You"

A play about an average American worker who day by day witnesses the diverse range of human relationships yet struggles to make sense of how it all adds up. Nevertheless they keep learning, they keep adapting, and they keep showing up to work. "A: I Love You" was written by four DMACC students in collaboration with ChatGPT, Claude and other large language models. For millennia, drama has been an expression of human experience and creativity, but this play tests the future as it blends human voices with artificial intelligence output.

To learn more about the DMACC Ankeny Theatre and the Simon Estes School of Fine Arts at DMACC, click here.

Oct 31st: Faculty/Staff Read Event Featuring 'The Anxious Generation' by Jonathan Haidt

Posted August 19, 2024

DMACC faculty and staff, come join your colleges for a chat about "The Anxious Generation" by Jonathan Haidt from 12:45 p.m. to 2 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 31st, in Bldg. #5, Room 1240C, at the Ankeny Campus.

Bring your own copy or request to borrow a library copy when you register for the event.

FREE pizza will be provided!

Register here: https://dmacc.libcal.com/event/13032018?hs=a

Sept. 26th: Brother to Brother (B2B) Fall 2024 Welcome Event at Urban Campus

Posted August 1, 2024

Brother to Brother at DMACC will host its Fall 2024 Welcome Event from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Thur., Sept. 26th, in Bldg. #7, Room 171, at the DMACC Urban Campus. This event will be an opportunity for all multicultural male students to come and enjoy some food and build relationships while learning about the Brother to Brother program at DMACC. Please reach out to Will Thomas via email at wcthomas@dmacc.edu or cell at 515-612-6841 with any questions. We hope to see you there!

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