In 2006, Iowa Democratic gubernatorial candidate Gregg Connell, then the mayor of Shenandoah and one of the more innovative and effective rural economic development leaders in our state's history, backed an idea, a big one, that office-seekers 20 years later should embrace.
Council Bluffs has Iowa Western Community College. Some of the students love it so much, they wish it was a four year university. They have a diverse population from all over the world, plus students from Nebraska. I think it fits perfectly into your suggestion.
Yes, that’s still a good idea, Doug. Let’s make it part of an “Iowa Higher Education Initiative,” like the group “Iowans for a Better Future” proposed in 2005. Expand all three state universities, as well as the private colleges & universities, and the community colleges, too. Then recruit students from across the nation and around the world, as well as increasing incentives for Iowa’s young people to stay here for college. Link all students with Iowa businesses. And with all that, we’d be using higher education as a new form of economic development!
Interesting idea Doug. Economic and educational development go hand in hand. Iowa initiatives other than casinos have my vote. I grew up on the Missouri went to college on the Mississippi so I know Iowa from many vantages. The limited growth in western Iowa has been a hindrance.
Great idea Doug! Greene County is “on the edge” of western Iowa, but we head that direction often for flights out of Omaha and an occasional concert or civic event. Having a University on the Missouri could give us a trifecta!
Okay, I'll be the contrarian here. I don't believe this a good idea. Most, if not all, private colleges in Iowa are struggling with enrollment challenges, and most, if not all, Iowa institutions of higher education, private and public, have seen reduced federal funding for years now.
What needs implementation pronto is increased partnerships between already existing Iowa institutions, across all types...community colleges, private colleges, and public universities.
A great idea. I wish every candidate campaigning in Western Iowa would support it.
BUT -- The statement about "a generally dismissive attitude that eastern Iowans and the EFFETE residents of Des Moines’ suburbs have about us." is gratuitous. WHY write that? Many of the legislators who would be asked to support University of Western Iowa live in Eastern Iowa and/ or the Des Moines suburbs. Doug - you need a better editor.
Council Bluffs has Iowa Western Community College. Some of the students love it so much, they wish it was a four year university. They have a diverse population from all over the world, plus students from Nebraska. I think it fits perfectly into your suggestion.
Yes, that’s still a good idea, Doug. Let’s make it part of an “Iowa Higher Education Initiative,” like the group “Iowans for a Better Future” proposed in 2005. Expand all three state universities, as well as the private colleges & universities, and the community colleges, too. Then recruit students from across the nation and around the world, as well as increasing incentives for Iowa’s young people to stay here for college. Link all students with Iowa businesses. And with all that, we’d be using higher education as a new form of economic development!
Interesting, Doug. I did not know any of this background. Makes a lot of sense. Which, of course, means it’s doomed.
Interesting idea Doug. Economic and educational development go hand in hand. Iowa initiatives other than casinos have my vote. I grew up on the Missouri went to college on the Mississippi so I know Iowa from many vantages. The limited growth in western Iowa has been a hindrance.
Great idea Doug! Greene County is “on the edge” of western Iowa, but we head that direction often for flights out of Omaha and an occasional concert or civic event. Having a University on the Missouri could give us a trifecta!
Great idea! I'd be curious to see how it would fly with an anti intellectual GOP, even with a college in their backyard.
Okay, I'll be the contrarian here. I don't believe this a good idea. Most, if not all, private colleges in Iowa are struggling with enrollment challenges, and most, if not all, Iowa institutions of higher education, private and public, have seen reduced federal funding for years now.
What needs implementation pronto is increased partnerships between already existing Iowa institutions, across all types...community colleges, private colleges, and public universities.
I and multiple others in Audubon choose NWMS way back in 1962 for college. It was cheaper than Iowa State. Looks like they still do.
A great idea. I wish every candidate campaigning in Western Iowa would support it.
BUT -- The statement about "a generally dismissive attitude that eastern Iowans and the EFFETE residents of Des Moines’ suburbs have about us." is gratuitous. WHY write that? Many of the legislators who would be asked to support University of Western Iowa live in Eastern Iowa and/ or the Des Moines suburbs. Doug - you need a better editor.