One of them is Colin Miltenberger, who moved onto campus on Thursday. He is from Belmond and was one of the few students who got there early.

“I was recruited by (MCC) for esports,” he said. “I’ve been playing esports for three years.”

Anne Howsare Boyens, district president of Iowa Valley Community College, said staff is standing by to help students and the bookstore is open and able to provide needed materials. The library and Student Success Center are ready to help students with computer access and set up other necessary technology.

“Many students are nervous on their first day, whether they have been to college before or have not spent much time on a campus,” she said. “I encourage students not to let their nerves deter them because we are so excited to be with them on their educational journey. The faculty is thrilled to have students back and are ready to welcome and support them.”

TR PHOTO BY LANA BRADSTREAM — Classes begin at Marshalltown Community College on Monday. The halls of the William Faust Student Union will once again be filled with students.

Howsare Boyens described the past week as amazing.

“It was great to see the teachers back on campus after a summer break,” she said. “It was also fun to see the fall sports teams back in practice. There is a great energy on the first day of classes as everyone sees the possibilities and is ready to start a new journey.”

MCC staff have been processing college and financial aid applications. Howsare Boyens said interested students and families still have time to stop by and get help, as staff will be available from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday.

As staff provide enrollment assistance, they must handle a larger number of students. Howsare Boysens said MCC enrollment increased by nine percent last year.

“This is an absolutely incredible increase in higher education overall,” she said. “Right now we are slightly in positive territory, which means we are maintaining the jump from last year and effectively maintaining the number of students. While I would always like to see a big increase, I am happy with where we are this year.”

Many of the students are studying computer science and welding, as well as utility engineering courses, which include natural gas engineering and power line engineering.

“Our health programs are very popular. Our nursing program is at full capacity this year and the dental assistant training is also well attended,” says Howsare Boyens.

In addition to classes, MCC students have the opportunity to participate in a variety of student clubs and extracurricular activities, such as the Multicultural Club, Student Activities Council, basketball, and e-sports. Howsare Boyens said that the activities outside the classroom are extremely important in enriching student life.

“Research shows that student engagement is closely correlated with academic success and that student engagement can take many different forms – playing sports, whether at the college or university level and being a member of one or more of our 14 student clubs – can really make a difference in a student’s life inside and outside the classroom,” she said.

Howsare Boyens encouraged anyone – whether a recent high school student or a professional looking for a change – with a slight interest in further education to take the plunge and contact MCC. She said they can also help people graduate from high school and enroll current high school students in college credit courses.

“We have many options for people with busy schedules,” said Howsare Boyens.

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Contact Lana Bradstream

at 641-753-6611 extension 210 or

[email protected].