DMACC Awarded State Grant For Ames Career Academy Investment

DMACC has received competitive grant funding through the state's Career Academy Initiative Fund, Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds and the Iowa Department of Education announced Monday.

Established in 2019, the Career Academy Incentive Fund is supported by a statewide penny sales tax for school infrastructure, called Secure an Advanced Vision for Education (SAVE). Its goal is to empower more students with pathways to postsecondary success by creating and supporting partnerships among community colleges, schools, local businesses, and community stakeholders.

"Across Iowa, career-connected learning is changing lives, empowering communities and strengthening economies," said Iowa Department of Education Director McKenzie Snow. "Through the hard work of our students, educators and employers, more learners are attaining work-based learning experiences and college credit while in high school than ever before. We are proud to partner with these education and industry leaders in connecting the classroom to the workplace, empowering all students with multiple pathways to high-wage and public-good careers here in Iowa."

DMACC, one of four Iowa community colleges awarded this year, will receive more than $776,655 in funding.

The grant will support updates to the Ames Hunziker Center and the creation of an informational technology career academy within the renovated and improved space. The funding will also update equipment and curricula in existing career academies - Automotive Technology, Building Trades, Business, Culinary Arts, and Healthcare.

"We are grateful for this investment in expanding career-connected learning opportunities for students in our region," said Jeff Kelly, Ames Hunziker Site Director. "The Career Academy model has been proven to open doors for high school learners by connecting them with real-world experience, industry-recognized credentials, and pathways to in-demand careers. With this support, we will be able to continue strengthening our partnerships with local school districts and employers while ensuring more students gain the skills and confidence needed to thrive in Iowa's workforce."

Ames Hunziker Career Academy serves students in seven neighboring school districts.

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