Iowa Western Community College
Encyclopedia
Iowa Western Community College is a community college
in Council Bluffs, Iowa
, near Omaha
, Nebraska. The college was founded in 1967, and offers 84 programs in both vocational and technical areas as well as in liberal arts. It is also home to a respected flight school for various aircraft related professions. IWCC is also the site of college/alternative radio station 89.7 The River
, which serves the entire Omaha metropolitan area.
, and Shelby counties for submission to the State Board of Public Instruction. After specific locations of campuses were agreed upon, approval was granted by the State Board in February 1966. Clarinda Junior College, which was established in 1923 and had a long history of providing a two-year liberal arts education in Southwest Iowa, was selected to serve as one campus, and a new campus was located in Council Bluffs. The College expanded into other parts of the district with the establishment of centers in Atlantic (Cass County Center), Harlan (Shelby County Center), and Shenandoah (Page/Fremont County Center).
On January 23, 1967, two vocational-technical programs were started using facilities in Council Bluffs. A major development was the addition of a liberal arts curriculum at the Council Bluffs Campus in the fall of 1968.
(HLC) of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools
(NCA). Iowa Western Community College was initially granted accreditation by the NCA of Colleges and Schools (presently known as the Higher Learning Commission) in 1975. The College has maintained its accreditation status through the traditional self-study process. In December 2005 Iowa Western Community College was accepted into the Academic Quality Improvement Program (AQIP). This alternative accreditation process is predicated upon a continuous improvement model developed by the HLC.
Men's sports include baseball, basketball, soccer, and football. Women's sports include basketball, softball, soccer, and volleyball. Coed sports include cross country, track & field, and golf.
Reiver athletics also include cheerleading and a dance team nicknamed the Sapphires.
Community college
A community college is a type of educational institution. The term can have different meanings in different countries.-Australia:Community colleges carry on the tradition of adult education, which was established in Australia around mid 19th century when evening classes were held to help adults...
in Council Bluffs, Iowa
Council Bluffs, Iowa
Council Bluffs, known until 1852 as Kanesville, Iowathe historic starting point of the Mormon Trail and eventual northernmost anchor town of the other emigrant trailsis a city in and the county seat of Pottawattamie County, Iowa, United States and is on the east bank of the Missouri River across...
, near Omaha
Omaha
Omaha may refer to:*Omaha , a Native American tribe that currently resides in the northeastern part of the U.S. state of Nebraska-Places:United States* Omaha, Nebraska* Omaha, Arkansas* Omaha, Georgia* Omaha, Illinois* Omaha, Texas...
, Nebraska. The college was founded in 1967, and offers 84 programs in both vocational and technical areas as well as in liberal arts. It is also home to a respected flight school for various aircraft related professions. IWCC is also the site of college/alternative radio station 89.7 The River
KIWR
KIWR is a radio station broadcasting an Alternative format. Based in Council Bluffs, Iowa, USA, the station serves the Omaha Metro area. The station is licensed to Iowa Western Community College. The station has broadcast alternative rock since January 1, 1996...
, which serves the entire Omaha metropolitan area.
History
In 1964 the need was recognized for expansion of the opportunities for higher education in the State of Iowa. Study committees across the State were appointed to gather and disseminate information and to consider the prospects for establishing two-year area colleges. On June 7, 1965, area school legislation was approved. By July of the same year, the study committees´ reports and proposals were published and distributed to school officials in the appropriate designated areas in the State. A proposal for Iowa Western Community College was authorized by seven county boards of education in Cass, Fremont, Harrison, Mills, Page, PottawattamiePottawattamie County, Iowa
Pottawattamie County is a county located in the U.S. state of Iowa. The population was 93,158 in the 2010 census, an increase from 87,704 in the 2000 census and is the second largest county by area in Iowa. The Pottawattamie county seat is located at Council Bluffs. It is one of three Iowa...
, and Shelby counties for submission to the State Board of Public Instruction. After specific locations of campuses were agreed upon, approval was granted by the State Board in February 1966. Clarinda Junior College, which was established in 1923 and had a long history of providing a two-year liberal arts education in Southwest Iowa, was selected to serve as one campus, and a new campus was located in Council Bluffs. The College expanded into other parts of the district with the establishment of centers in Atlantic (Cass County Center), Harlan (Shelby County Center), and Shenandoah (Page/Fremont County Center).
On January 23, 1967, two vocational-technical programs were started using facilities in Council Bluffs. A major development was the addition of a liberal arts curriculum at the Council Bluffs Campus in the fall of 1968.
Accreditation
Iowa Western Community College is regionally accredited by The Higher Learning CommissionThe Higher Learning Commission
The Higher Learning Commission is part of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. The Higher Learning Commission oversees the accreditation of degree-granting colleges and universities in nineteen Midwestern and South-Central states, including Arkansas, Arizona, Colorado, Iowa,...
(HLC) of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools
North Central Association of Colleges and Schools
The North Central Association of Colleges and Schools , also known as the North Central Association, is a membership organization, consisting of colleges, universities, and schools in 19 U.S. states, that is engaged in educational accreditation...
(NCA). Iowa Western Community College was initially granted accreditation by the NCA of Colleges and Schools (presently known as the Higher Learning Commission) in 1975. The College has maintained its accreditation status through the traditional self-study process. In December 2005 Iowa Western Community College was accepted into the Academic Quality Improvement Program (AQIP). This alternative accreditation process is predicated upon a continuous improvement model developed by the HLC.
Athletics
Iowa Western's sports teams have been nicknamed the Reivers.Men's sports include baseball, basketball, soccer, and football. Women's sports include basketball, softball, soccer, and volleyball. Coed sports include cross country, track & field, and golf.
Reiver athletics also include cheerleading and a dance team nicknamed the Sapphires.