Scholarship Spotlight: Community Partnerships Help DMACC Students Build Their Futures

Recent scholarship announcements prove that organizations and companies across Iowa know the value of investing in a DMACC Bear.

From healthcare and agriculture to skilled trades and automotive technology, current and incoming DMACC students are receiving financial support in the pursuit of their goals. Here, we're highlighting a few examples:

Mason Carver of Marcus received a $1,000 Aureon Scholarship for Technology and plans to enroll in DMACC's Electric Utility Technology program. Carver was one of nine Iowa students selected through Aureon's STEM scholarship initiative, which supports students preparing for careers in high-demand technical fields.

Automotive Collision Technology student Kennedy McDaniel of Des Moines earned a Trailblazer-level scholarship from the Women's Industry Network (WIN) Student Scholarship Program, while Jolie Keigley of Ames received a Legends-level award that includes professional tools, mentorship opportunities and networking resources.

In healthcare, Graci Cooklin of Grand Junction, a second-year DMACC Nursing student, received a scholarship from the Greene County Medical Center Foundation and Auxiliary.

"These scholarships represent an investment not only in the students themselves, but in the future of healthcare in our rural communities," Foundation Director Nancy Houska said in a recent article.

Lauren Comes of Atlantic, who plans to study Agribusiness here at DMACC before continuing her education at the University of Wyoming, was awarded a Landus Cooperative Excellence in Agriculture Scholarship.

"We're proud to support them as they begin their academic journey and look forward to seeing their impact on our industry in the years to come," said Sarah Heineman, director of community engagement for Landus.

Haley Hall, who is pursuing a nursing degree at DMACC, was one of 35 college students in her home county to receive an Esther A. and Bruce S. Gibbs Charitable Trust Scholarship, according to the Atchison County Mail, a community newspaper in Kansas. The Gibbs Trust has awarded more than 1,100 scholarships since 1990, helping students continue their education and prepare for meaningful careers.

Scholarship support at DMACC extends far beyond individual awards from outside groups.

Through the DMACC Foundation, nearly 2,000 students received scholarships in 2025, with more than $2.2 million awarded to help cover tuition, books and other educational expenses. The Foundation partners with generous donors, alumni, businesses and community organizations to expand educational opportunities and make college more affordable for students across central Iowa.

Learn more about scholarship opportunities through the DMACC Foundation at foundation.dmacc.edu.