ACT Newsroom & Blog

By: Dr. Kristie Fisher, president, Kirkwood Community College

In recognition of Community College Month in April, ACT asked Kirkwood Community College President Dr. Kristie Fisher about some of the most pressing issues facing these institutions and their students – and how those problems are being addressed. Dr. Fisher is a former senior director at ACT, and ACT supports the academic success of Kirkwood students as part of the ACT Scholars Program, an endowed scholarship that emphasizes students from populations for which the cost of higher education could have presented a significant barrier to college.

Read on to learn from Dr. Fisher about how community colleges are addressing shifting workforce trends while focusing on students’ career and education aspirations.

A new report detailed community college enrollment growth of 2.6% – about 118,000 students – particularly at colleges focusing on vocational programs. How does this trend reflect students' increased focus on immediate employability following college graduation?

There has been a growing national discussion about the value of a college degree. A lot of the debate centers around the perception that the types of jobs graduates get do not justify the cost of an education. Some favor on-the-job training instead of college. Others advocate for short-term training or industry-specific career and technical (CTE) programs that focus more on what a person will do in the field than subjects that have less to do with their duties once employed.

Recent polls confirm that one of the primary reasons students attend college is to get a good job. The community college’s duty is to design and deliver programs that help students reach that goal. CTE programs appeal to those seeking the specialized skills needed to go right into the workforce in a field that guarantees a good wage, often in half the time it takes to get a four-year degree. These programs are typically designed with local employers who ensure the curriculum aligns with skills graduates will need. They embed work-based and experiential learning to give students the real work experiences necessary to be successful immediately upon employment.

For students and parents who are rightfully mindful of the cost of higher education and want to ensure a return on investment, community colleges are a smart choice.

Why and how are community colleges encouraging students to pursue a degree following vocational training?

Many institutions, including Kirkwood, are working on developing pathways for students with non-credit credentials and training to take what they've learned and easily transition to credit programs to pursue a degree. One way to do that is to design courses on both the non-credit and credit sides of the institution with the same or similar outcomes in their curriculum. This way, a student's non-credit credential can count as credit toward a particular degree, decreasing time to graduation.

Despite the belief in some circles that a college degree is not worth the cost, it's well-known that college graduates have a higher earning potential. Tuition is also significantly less expensive at community colleges.

There are many variables that can prevent someone from moving from a short-term training program to a credit degree program. However, if colleges continue to make these pathways easier and more prevalent, a greater number of students may choose to pursue a degree following their training.

A recent, much-discussed report from the Burning Glass Institute and Strada Education Foundation found that most college graduates are entering jobs that don’t align with their degrees and are working in a field other than the one they’ve studied. How can community colleges help ensure that students can secure employment that aligns with their degrees and career goals?

Over time, the job market fluctuates due to a number of factors, including regional employer needs, the economy, technological advancements, and even the number and quality of applicants in a particular field. Considering these factors, college administrators need to ensure their programs meet the needs of the local workforce, while also adapting to industry changes and advancements.

At Kirkwood we do this in two primary ways. First, our faculty maintain strong ties to industry and their disciplines. They are actively engaged in keeping their skills and approaches at the cutting edge of their field. Second, all of our academic programs use advisory committees comprising professionals from our local business and industry partners, who advise us on our curriculum to ensure it meets their needs. This combination of faculty experts and business and industry partners ensures that students have the knowledge and skills to succeed in their fields, and employers know Kirkwood graduates can do their jobs.

The workforce landscape is changing with the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) and other technological advancements, and older workers are seeking opportunities to reskill. How are community colleges evolving to meet this demand?

AI will soon affect all aspects of our lives. There are several academic disciplines that are already using AI. The sooner people get acclimated to using AI, the better they are going to be at their job in the long run.

IOWA CITY, Iowa — ACT, the mission-driven provider of the assessments, research, and work-ready credentials designed to support education and workplace success, today announced a new partnership with Nexus Capital Management LP, a Los Angeles-based private equity firm.

“Our partnership with Nexus Capital Management uniquely positions ACT to meet a watershed moment in our nation, as the demand for talent is growing and becoming more diverse. The need to prepare learners for success after high school for both college and work has never been higher, nor has the need to ensure that every learner has access to equitable college and career planning resources, guidance, and insights,” ACT CEO Janet Godwin said. “Partnering in this way will complement and amplify ACT’s proven platform of education and work readiness solutions to support the needs of students, educators, and employers alike. We will accelerate our plans to meet the needs of our stakeholders as they navigate an evolving and complex system to develop the essential skills critical for success in a rapidly changing world of work.”

“This partnership will create more pathways to degrees, credentials, and skills acquisition for people at any stage of their lives,” said Daniel A. Domenech, chairman of ACT’s board of directors and former executive director of AASA, the School Superintendents Association. “The time is right to move into the next phase of ACT’s long-term growth strategy alongside a partner with significant industry expertise, giving ACT the scale and capital necessary to deliver on its promise of education and workplace success.”

Upon closing, ACT and Encoura, an education data science and research organization that is a wholly owned subsidiary of ACT, will unify and operate as a public benefit corporation, with ACT’s name and brand. The integrated business, known as ACT, will advance the organization’s leadership in education and workforce readiness as it services the needs of all ACT stakeholders through new investments in ACT’s products and people. Godwin will continue to lead ACT as CEO of the new company.

Through integrating ACT’s systems of assessments and workforce solutions with Encoura’s data science and strategic enrollment services, ACT will be able to deliver holistic readiness credentials and more precisely connect students and job seekers to institutions of higher education and employers. ACT will simplify and streamline the college application process for students and institutions, better match employers with available talent, create new opportunities for upskilling mid- and late-career professionals, help learners identify their strengths and provide recommendations about applying them in education settings and the workplace, and provide more integrated and actionable insights to states, districts, families, and learners.

“We are excited to partner with ACT’s leadership team in this next chapter of growth to deliver enhanced capabilities for students, school districts, postsecondary institutions, employers, and government stakeholders,” said Damian J. Giangiacomo, co-founder of Nexus. Evan Glucoft, Nexus managing director, added, “The new ACT, through its diverse product offering, is well aligned with Nexus’ history of investing in companies focused on helping students succeed.”

Proceeds from the partnership will also fund the continuation of an Iowa nonprofit organization that will be headquartered in Iowa City. The nonprofit organization will conduct programs, services, and research focused on education and workplace success. The nonprofit will also retain an investment in the new public benefit corporation and have direct representation on ACT’s board of directors.

“ACT will always be driven by our mission, and this investment will allow us to accelerate delivery of impact solutions that are core to who we are — and always have been — including expanding access and opportunity for students,” Godwin said. “As a result of this investment, we will help more students be ready for their postsecondary paths, and help more adults advance in their careers.”

The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions.


About ACT
ACT is transforming college and career readiness pathways so that everyone can discover and fulfill their potential. Grounded in more than 65 years of research, ACT’s learning resources, assessments, research, and work-ready credentials are trusted by students, job seekers, educators, schools, government agencies, and employers in the U.S. and around the world to help people achieve their education and career goals at every stage of life. Visit us at www.act.org.

To commemorate their journeys from application to graduation, ACT has invited these scholars to share their stories. Landen Eidahl is a sophomore at Kirkwood Community College pursuing a degree in business administration with plans to graduate this spring and enroll at a four-year college.

What was your motivation for going to college?

Growing up, I have always had the motivation to be highly successful, do what I love, and go to college. However, when I was diagnosed with petit mal epilepsy, I was told I may struggle when it came to learning. In elementary school, I noticed that I would “space out” during everyday activities. These episodes would occur during school and when I was doing physical activities. It took a lot of testing, but I was eventually diagnosed with epilepsy. Those times when I would space out were little seizures. I was put on medication and told that I might have to take it the rest of my life to manage the seizures.

Even though this was a scary moment in my life, I was still determined to succeed. This diagnosis became motivation as I had to work hard to keep up. I was able to continue my success in the classroom and out. And, after many years, my symptoms started to go away. I was able to get off the medication and eventually get accepted into college. Even though I don’t experience symptoms anymore, this part of me that could have been a hinderance in my journey has become a strong motivator to succeed in college and beyond.

What are you studying? What degree do you hope to earn?

I am studying business administration. I plan on getting my general education classes done at Kirkwood and then transferring to a four-year college to earn my bachelor's degree. Kirkwood is the best option for me in the beginning stages of my college career.

Why did you select this area of study?

The business classes I took in high school were interesting. Just like my mom, I have an interest in becoming an entrepreneur. I know a business background will help me if I decide that is the route for me. I have many role models who started their own businesses from scratch. They are successful and never feel like they are working because they love what they are doing so much. I want that for myself.

No matter where my path leads me, I want to enjoy what I am doing. A business degree will help me explore different aspects of business that will be useful in narrowing down my degree even more.

Who inspired or supported you in your college-going journey?

Throughout my life, my mom has always been my biggest inspiration. My mom grew up in a low-income family and she always wanted better. Her goal was to be a first-generation college graduate. She was able to accomplish that all while working multiple jobs to pay for it. After college, she carried her success into the business world. She started her own brand and was able to quit her full-time job to pursue a true passion of hers.

When I think of the American dream, I think of my mom. That dream has been instilled in me from watching her. Just like it was for my mom, I want college to be the launchpad that sets me up for success.

What was the biggest challenge you faced as a college student and how did you work to overcome it?

My first year of college was a challenge because of my time management, or lack thereof. I was a full-time student and I also wanted to try new things and pursue different endeavors.

I was hired to be an assistant college basketball coach. It was something I had thought about doing and this was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up. It was difficult balancing that, being a full-time student, and working my part-time job. It was all worth it in the end because I learned so much and it taught me the importance of time management and resiliency.

What advice would you give to a college student today?  

Pave your own path; don’t let other people tell you what you can and cannot do. The journey will be challenging but also very rewarding. If you are persistent, curious, informed, and faithful you will achieve more things than you imagined. Stay strong and believe.

What goals have you set for yourself? How do you plan to achieve them?

Throughout college, my goal has always been to find a career I can pursue after I graduate. That being said, I am planning to try new things as I continue with my college career. I did that last year, and I hope to continue that this year.

I started the school year taking an acting class at Kirkwood. It is out of my comfort zone, but it was something new to try. I am also planning on joining clubs, participating in intramurals, and continuing coaching.

What does this ACT scholarship mean to you? How does it affect your education journey?

This scholarship was a monumental moment in my life. I am responsible for paying for college and this scholarship has eased that responsibility and made my first two years in college less stressful.

Just like my mom, I work hard to pay for college. This scholarship has allowed me to focus on my classes and my studies. It has also allowed me to pursue opportunities I never thought possible. This scholarship has had a tremendous impact on my academic trajectory and personal growth.

Anything else you’d like to share?

Kirkwood has been a great experience that will impact the rest of my life. This is where it all started. Kirkwood is the launch pad for the rest of my journey. It will always hold a special place in my heart. Whenever I am asked what a high schooler should do after high school, I always recommend Kirkwood. It is such a great start to the college experience and the ACT scholarship is an opportunity that can make the transition that much better.