Dec 10, 2024  
2023-2024 General Catalog 
    
2023-2024 General Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

About Us



Mission Statement

Iowa Western Community College is a learning community com­mitted to excellence in meeting the educational needs and improv­ing the quality of life through programs, partnerships, and com­munity involvement.

Vision Statement

Iowa Western Community College will be recognized as a premier educational leader and partner, with student learning and success being our highest priority.

Beliefs

These statements of Beliefs support and clarify the Mission State­ment of Iowa Western Community College:

  • Faculty, students, staff and community partners are equal stakeholders in the culture of our learning community.
  • Each and every individual has dignity and worth.
  • Community support depends upon identifying and meeting the diverse and changing needs of the people in Southwest Iowa.
  • Each person deserves opportunities for lifelong learning and growth.
  • Open, honest communication through word and action builds credibility and trust.
  • Striving for excellence defines the effort of the entire college community.
  • Cooperative partnerships foster college and community growth.

History

On June 7, 1965, area school legislation was approved by the 61st General Assembly of Iowa, creating the community college system. A proposal to establish Iowa Western Community College was authorized by the county Boards of Education of Cass, Fremont, Harrison, Mills, Page, Pottawattamie and Shelby counties and was submitted to the State Board of Public Instruction. In February of 1966 approval of Merged Area XIII, Iowa Western Community Col­lege was granted by the State Board of Public Instruction with cam­pus sites at Council Bluffs and Clarinda.

Accreditation

The College is accredited as a post-secondary institution by the Higher Learning Commission. Indi­viduals should direct their questions, comments or concerns to The Higher Learning Commission, 230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500, Chicago, IL 60604, (800) 621-7440 or (312) 263-0456.

Council Bluffs Campus

Instructional services at the Council Bluffs Campus include a com­prehensive Arts and Sciences program with classes offered days, evenings, and weekends, as well as online. Also available are a multitude of Career and Technical programs. In addition, support services are provided in the areas of academic support, tutoring, learning resources, and disability services.

Council Bluffs Campus

Iowa Western Community College
Box 4-C, 2700 College Road
Council Bluffs, IA 51502
(712) 325-3200 or (800) 432-5852 (toll-free nationwide)

Centers

The College offers Arts and Sciences courses at the Clarinda Cen­ter as well as the Cass County (Atlantic), Page/Fremont County (Shenandoah), and Shelby County (Harlan) Centers. In addition, the Clarinda Center and the Shelby County Center offer a nursing program. Each center also offers a wide range of continuing edu­cation classes in such areas as cosmetology, secretarial and office occupations training, real estate and insurance, business manage­ment, consumer education, recreation, and many others.

Clarinda Center

Iowa Western Community College
923 East Washington Street
Clarinda, IA 51632
(712) 542-5117 or (800) 521-2073 (Iowa toll-free)

Cass County Center

Iowa Western Community College
705 Walnut Street
Atlantic, IA 50022
(712) 243-5527

Buss Regional Center

Iowa Western Community College
115 S. Harrison St.
Missouri Valley, IA 51555
(712) 325-3404

Page/Fremont County Center

Iowa Western Community College
1001 W. Sheridan Ave.
Shenandoah, IA 51601
(712) 246-1499

Shelby County Center

Iowa Western Community College
1901 Hawkeye Ave., Suite 102
Harlan, IA 51537
(712) 755-3568