Geneva native Dr. Steven Schulz is spending his last days on the job as NIACC president.
Schulz worked at Des Moines Area Community College in different roles before coming to NIACC at the end of 2013.
He tells Radio on the Go News that the education field continues to evolve.
“Going to be about demographics, enrollment, and then it’s going to be about the public support that continues to strengthen the system or weaken a system. And I think we’ve seen some, you know, legislative changes that have really changed the landscape. And, you know, communities and school boards are going to have to pay close attention to that and see what those impacts are down the road. As for the nuts and bolts of teaching and learning, it’s still about teaching people the basics, teaching them how to be good citizens, building relationships with people, and setting them up for success through the education cycle ends for them.”
Schulz says public education still needs support in Iowa.
“You know, let’s be honest, the methodology is changing. There’s going to be more people in the sector, people looking for skills, not four-year degrees. There’s lots of change going on. I hope at the end of the day that the legislature and the governor’s office continues to focus on doing the best for Iowa kids that we can do, really keeping that focus on quality and serving particularly rural kids. I worry a little bit about rural Iowa getting lost in some of the new policies and procedures. I think it’s going to be up to communities and local school boards and local community colleges to really tell their story and express their needs in a way that the legislature can see we’re still here. We want to do the good work on behalf of our communities.”
Central Rivers Area Education Agency Chief Administrator Joel Pedersen will become the next NIACC president on July 1st.
