Des Moines Area Community College

Des Moines Area Community College
DMACC Marketing Dept · Public domain · source
Name	Des Moines Area Community College
Established	1966
Type	Public community college
President	Rob Denson
Students	25,000+
City	Ankeny
State	Iowa
Country	United States
Campus	Suburban; multiple campuses
Colors	Blue and White
Mascot	Eagle

Des Moines Area Community College

Des Moines Area Community College serves as a multi-campus public institution in Iowa, offering workforce training, certificate, and associate degree programs. It participates in regional partnerships with entities such as Iowa Department of Education, Iowa State University, University of Iowa, and Drake University, while engaging employers including Pella Corporation, John Deere, Principal Financial Group, and UnityPoint Health. The college interacts with federal programs and agencies like Pell Grant, U.S. Department of Education, and AmeriCorps to expand access and support student success.

History

The institution was created amid statewide community college development influenced by policy decisions from the Iowa General Assembly and planners connected to the K-12 school districts of Polk County, Warren County, and Madison County. Early leaders collaborated with figures associated with Iowa State Teachers College and initiatives from the Higher Education Act of 1965. Campus expansion paralleled economic shifts involving companies such as Rockwell Collins and Monsanto Company, while workforce programs aligned with federal efforts like Economic Opportunity Act of 1964 and regional Community Action Agency projects. Enrollment trends reflected demographic movements similar to those affecting Des Moines metropolitan area and workforce transitions tied to Rust Belt-era manufacturing changes.

Campuses and Facilities

The college operates multiple sites across central and southwestern Iowa, including main centers in the Des Moines metropolitan area, Ankeny, Urban Campus (Des Moines), West Campus (Carson), Newton Campus, and satellite locations near Perry, Iowa, Boone, Iowa, and Boone County. Facilities include technical training centers comparable to those at Kirkwood Community College and healthcare simulation labs modeled after university-affiliated centers such as Mayo Clinic training facilities and Mercy Medical Center simulators. The institution maintains partnerships for facility use with Iowa State University Research Park, Polk County Health Department, Ankeny Community Schools, and cultural collaborations with Des Moines Art Center, Des Moines Performing Arts, and State Historical Museum of Iowa.

Academics and Programs

Program offerings span career-technical education, transfer paths, and continuing education with articulation agreements involving Iowa State University, University of Northern Iowa, Grinnell College, Cornell College (Iowa), and private institutions such as Wartburg College. Workforce curricula align with certifications from organizations like National Coalition of Certification Centers, American Welding Society, CompTIA, National Healthcareer Association, and standards from Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Health programs connect to clinical partners including MercyOne, Broadlawns Medical Center, and UnityPoint Health. Business and technology tracks prepare students for roles at firms such as Hy-Vee, Casey's General Stores, Emerson, and Vermeer Corporation. The college also administers continuing education and community classes in collaboration with Iowa Workforce Development, Federal Aviation Administration-related training providers, and regional economic development groups including Downtown Des Moines Partnership.

Student Life and Services

Student support services include advising, tutoring, disability services, and veteran services coordinated with Iowa Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Affairs (United States), and workforce transition programs like GI Bill. Career services liaise with employers such as Ruan Transportation, ADM (Archer Daniels Midland), and Kemin Industries for internships and job placement. Student organizations mirror those at four-year institutions, with chapters of honor societies and clubs similar to Phi Theta Kappa, SkillsUSA, Health Occupations Students of America, and arts collaborations with Des Moines Symphony and Des Moines Civic Center. Campus events often feature speakers, workshops, and exhibits tied to partners like Iowa Humanities and National Endowment for the Arts.

Athletics

Athletic programs compete in conferences akin to those for community colleges, fielding teams that emphasize regional competition and student-athlete transfer opportunities to NCAA Division II and NAIA institutions. Sports offerings and training facilities support pathways to programs at Drake University, Iowa State University, University of Iowa and small colleges such as Simpson College and Wartburg College. Strength and conditioning resources reflect standards used by professional organizations including USA Track & Field and National Collegiate Strength and Conditioning Association.

Governance and Administration

The college is governed by a locally elected board of trustees operating under statutes enacted by the Iowa Legislature and coordinates accreditation with the Higher Learning Commission and state oversight from the Iowa Department of Education. Administrative leadership interacts with statewide consortia such as the Iowa Association of Community College Trustees and national organizations including the American Association of Community Colleges and Association of Community College Trustees. Fiscal and grant activities often involve federal entities like the U.S. Department of Labor and philanthropic partners similar to Iowa College Aid and private foundations prevalent in higher education philanthropy.

Category:Community colleges in Iowa Category:Universities and colleges established in 1966