Southwestern’s board of directors holds July 2026 meeting

Creston- The Southwestern Community College (SWCC) board of directors met on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, at 5 p.m., in the college's Administration Center, for the college's regular monthly board meeting.

During the consideration of consent agenda items, the board approved annual dues for the Higher Learning Commission.

Lindsay Stoaks, SWCC president, and Maureen Weaver, SWCC director of nursing, spoke to the board concerning the Assessment Technologies Institute (ATI) Complete Partnership renewal for the nursing department. Stoaks said the college is in the second year of a three-year pricing agreement with ATI. Southwestern has utilized ATI as a digital companion in the licensed practical nursing and registered nursing classrooms and labs since 2018-19.

The total cost of $205,758 for 2026-27 is based on maximum enrollment in the nursing programs. Lower enrollment numbers will result in a refund of the difference in pricing. Stoaks said the licensed practical nursing program has increased its enrollment to 90 students for the fall 2026 semester. Weaver said with ATI in place, the program has successfully eliminated much of the student textbook costs, with nursing students only being asked to purchase one additional textbook. All of the other learning resources are online with ATI.

Following Stoaks' and Weaver's comments, the board approved the renewal with ATI.

In personnel, the board approved employment of Tanner Olmstead of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, as assistant baseball coach, and Isabelle Gaul of Harlan as an assistant dance coach.

Devon Tyler-Leith of Tyler Insurance Services, Inc. briefed the board on SWCC's asset protection. Tyler-Leith said the college's assets equate to approximately $126 million for the property itself. She said property rates have finally leveled off, and her hope is that rates will continue to trend in that direction. She said cyber liability has now become a larger threat. Tyler-Leith mentioned the recent nationwide Canvas breach that affected Southwestern students as an example of a recent cyber threat. Overall, Tyler-Leith said the college's insurance package increased by 6 percent for the coming year.

Rachel Ramaeker, SWCC secondary programs director, presented information to the board related to SWCC's dual credit enrollment programs. Ramaeker said SWCC is right in line with the state of Iowa on dual credit enrollment. At SWCC, 47.5 percent of student enrollment is made up of high school students. On the state level, 47 percent of Iowa community college enrollment consists of high school students. She said in 2025, 56 percent of the senior class in SWCC's region was enrolled in dual-credit courses.

Wayne Pantini, SWCC vice president of economic development, provided the board with updates on summer construction projects. Pantini said the main entrance and sidewalk improvement projects were completed ahead of schedule. Construction at the trades and industry building site, east of Technical Center I, continues. Pantini said there has been an estimated 10-day delay on the precast walls, but this delay should not affect the completion date of the building.

He reported progress on phase two of the access controls project is going well.

Stoaks updated the board on House File 2490, public notice for open meetings to be posted in a prominent place that is annually designated by the governmental body and is visible at all times. She said the college's administrative cabinet revised the administrative policy to reflect the new requirements. The college designated the west exterior doors of the Administration Center as its official public posting location, and the notices will continue to be posted on the college website.

Stoaks introduced Paul Nelson of Greenfield as the newly appointed District 1 board member.

Photo above (L to R): Recently appointed SWCC board members Bonnie Larson of Diagonal, District 7; Paul Nelson of Greenfield, District 1; and Taylor McClellan of Afton, District 6.