Iowa Central College Online: Prospective Faculty

Mission Statement
Iowa Central College Online is committed to excellence in teaching and learning by providing for the varied educational needs of the diverse individuals whom it serves through accessible, flexible, community-centered programs and activities both within and beyond the classroom.

Vision Statement
Iowa Central College Online is the learning college of choice, meeting
the needs of those we serve in an ever-changing, global environment. Innovation and excellence, with continuous improvement, define this institution where the focus is on the learner and the appreciation of diversity.

Philosophy
It is the philosophy of Iowa Central College Online, as a comprehensive community college, to aid in developing our citizens' capabilities to the maximum. Iowa Central College Online provides a flexible program to satisfy the needs of the individual and the needs of the community. An educational environment is planned to provide experiences for those who desire pre-professional courses, improvement of educational or technical skills, or developmental programs for self-enrichment. This environment can be on campus or on-site. In concert with this mission, Iowa Central College Online offers

college transfer courses
career and technical training
general education
recreation and personal enrichment programs
economic development, community service activities for people with diverse interests, needs, backgrounds and skills
adult basic education

History
Iowa Central Community College was organized in 1966 with a broad mandate to offer a vast array of educational opportunities to the residents of its nine-county area. Iowa Central was built on the firm foundation of three area junior colleges which had been operating since the 1920s by the local public school systems.

They were Fort Dodge, organized in 1921; Webster City, 1926; and Eagle Grove, 1928. Iowa Central came into being as a result of the Area School Act passed by Iowa's 61st General Assembly. The legislation authorized two or more county school systems to merge to form an area community college. Nine counties combined to create Iowa Central: Buena Vista, Calhoun, Greene, Hamilton, Humboldt, Pocahontas, Sac, Webster and Wright. The resulting Merged Area V has some 28,000 students in 31 public school districts. In 1971, a fourth center was added with the completion of a new building in Storm Lake. The Storm Lake Center originally was established to serve 12 public and private school systems in Buena Vista County as a secondary career education center. In the ensuing years, the Storm Lake Center has been expanded so that now it offers the full range of community college programs.

In 1975, Iowa Central joined with Buena Vista College in Storm Lake in a cooperative venture whereby students can earn a bachelor's degree attending evening classes. The students' first two years are completed at Iowa Central and the final two years at Buena Vista at the Fort Dodge Center.

Accreditation
Accreditation: Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and a member of the North Central Association, www.ncahigherlearningcommission.org, telephone (800) 621-7440.

August 1967 College granted Federal Fund Eligibility
August 1969 College granted Correspondent Status
March 1971 College granted Recognized Candidate for Accreditation Status
July 1973 College became Candidate for Accreditation under the new policy
March 1974 College granted Accredited Status
July 1979 Accreditation reaffirmed
June 1984 Accreditation reaffirmed
June 2001 Accreditation reaffirmed