DMACC Foundation & Alumni Association

Happy Independence Day from the DMACC Foundation! 🇺🇸 Today, we celebrate the spirit of freedom and the opportunities it brings. As we enjoy the festivities, let's also honor the dedication of our students and supporters who strive to make education accessible for all. Wishing everyone a safe and joyous 4th of July!

Are you looking to make a significant impact on students looking to better their lives for years to come? If so, a planned gift may be a good option for you.

You can find more information about DMACC, the role of the Foundation in supporting students, and an array of planned giving resources at https://dmacc.myfuturegift.org!

When you include the Des Moines Area Community College Foundation in your estate plan, your generosity provides quality, affordable, student-centered education and training to empower all students.

Check out the site today!

Five years ago, Michelle Moreno left her homeland of South Africa, driven by love, to start a new chapter in the United States. It wasn’t long before the monumental move turned tumultuous. Marked by a separation and the realization that her educational and career certifications from South African were not recognized in the U.S., Michelle began thinking about her future.

"I was driving and I heard an ad for DMACC on the radio. Then I started seeing DMACC signs," Michelle says. "I decided that I had to start all over and DMACC would be a good place to do that."

Feeling both daunted and determined, she enrolled at DMACC. Now, as a student in the Hospitality Management program, she is reaching new heights and rediscovering her purpose.

Her choice to enroll at DMACC was guided by a simple yet profound need to carve out a new path for herself. She feels welcome and supported at DMACC, and that was vital with no family in the United States to lean on. She has also received critical assistance in the form of scholarships.

"The scholarship is becoming my family," she says, with gratitude evident in her voice. "It has minimized the stress of having bills handing over me. Every bit of it has helped."

Despite facing significant challenges, including working long hours in the hotel industry and managing a heavy course load, Michelle has found joy and purpose at DMACC.

"I love the students. They don't treat me like an alien because I'm older," she says, also offering praise for her instructors. "My chefs are beautiful people. My teachers are conscious of my needs, and that's important to me."

Michelle’s story is truly one of healing and growth. In her time at DMACC, she has learned about her own strengths and the importance of self-love. "I've changed a lot as a human being," she reflects. "Every day is a new day. I’ve learned to focus on the future and to not hold any grudges."

Michelle’s future plans are ambitious. Currently a supervisor at a hotel, she dreams of ascending to management roles within the global hospitality industry.

"I'm studying and I know I'm going to manage something," says Michelle, who credits her schooling with providing her with the confidence required to carve out a new career path. “DMACC is more than just an educational institution to me. DMACC has actually become my family in my mind."

To learn more about how you support students pursuing their passions, visit this link: https://dmacc.edu/foundation/giving.html

Did you know you can buy DMACC gear online directly from the bookstore?!

Get your fit fix here: https://www.bkstr.com/desmoinesccankenystore/home

Happy Juneteenth!

Today, we celebrate freedom, resilience, and the enduring spirit of the Black community. Let's honor the past, recognize the progress, and continue to work towards a future of equality and justice for all.

Get signed up for our Annual 5K TODAY! 🏃‍♀️🏃

Details here: https://www.dmacc.edu/5k/index.html

From all of us to all of those awesome dads out there: Happy Father’s Day!

We are proud to count all you Dads as members of the DMACC family and we are happy to give you 🖐 on your special day!

Without critical financial support from scholarships, many of our students would not have the means to chase their dreams and prepare for a successful future. The numbers behind your giving show that your generosity is lifting students to new heights.

👉Students who received a Foundation scholarship have a 25.2% higher three-year retention rate than non-scholarship recipients.

👉Students who received a Foundation scholarship have a 28.5% higher graduation rate than non-scholarship recipients.

👉Iowa’s 15 Community Colleges and their students support one out of every 23 jobs in the state.

On behalf of every student who has benefitted from your support, we offer our sincere thanks. To learn more about how you support students pursuing their dreams, visit this link: https://dmacc.edu/foundation/Pages/giving.aspx

The future looks bright! 😎

We offer up a HUGE thank you to members of the DMACC Board; members of the DMACC Foundation Board Boone and Carroll Committees; DMACC Directors, Advisors, Career Advantage Team, Faculty, Counselors and others who volunteered their time to present DMACC Foundation Scholarship awards to AWESOME students from 32 high schools in the region.

Pictured here is DMACC Foundation Boone Committee Member Brandie Lee with a number of our scholarship recipients from Boone High School. We can't wait to get these students on campus in the Fall!

We love to see our alumni making a difference for others. Check out this profile of DMACC grad and one of Iowa's Great Nurses, Stephanie Neumayer!

A dedication to nursing education Stephanie Neumayer’s devotion to health care started at a young age, working as a CNA at age 16.

We offer our sincere appreciation and respect this Memorial Day to those who made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our freedom. 🇺🇸

Just a quick reminder to get the ABSOLUTELY AWESOME Shrimp & BINGO fundraiser on your calendar for August.

Learn more at https://www.dmacc.edu/foundation/bingo.html!

Like many DMACC students, Morgan McKay wasn’t sure exactly what she wanted to study when she arrived on campus for her freshman year. While she initially enrolled in the liberal arts program, Morgan soon realized it wasn’t for her. After giving it some thought, she adjusted her journey and has found her true calling.

"I felt like the ag business program fit what I truly wanted," Morgan says. " I have learned about myself. Through my experience I have learned what I enjoy and what I don't."

A graduate of Knoxville (Iowa) High School, Morgan sought out DMACC for its smaller class sizes and the opportunity to build meaningful connections with professors.

"I just really enjoy being able to create a connection with the professors," Morgan says. "I don’t feel like I’m just another student taking up space in a massive auditorium. I feel like I can approach my professors and they know who I am."

Scholarships have played a crucial role in Morgan's academic journey, allowing her to focus on her studies.

"Scholarships have definitely helped me to be able to not have to worry about the financial burden of college," Morgan acknowledges. "Fortunately, this semester I am covered fully by scholarships so I can pour 100% into my studies."

Thankful for the support she's received, Morgan says donors have a tangible impact on students like her.

"I think that it is incredible that people want to help young individuals as they pursue higher education," Morgan says. "Knowing that I won't have to stress about whether or not it is something I can afford is incredible. I feel fortunate that there are donors out there giving so generously so young people don’t have to worry as much about finances. College is stressful enough not even considering the financial piece."

As she looks ahead, Morgan says her goal is to work in animal nutrition or agronomy, leveraging her background in agriculture and her passion for helping others.

"4H has definitely shaped my interest for ag science," says Morgan who participated in the program in high school. "Now being able to build upon that at DMACC is a passion of mine. I want to take what I’ve learned here to help other youth who are following a similar path. I want to help them create connections and grow a love for agriculture."

To learn more about how you can support students pursuing their passions, visit this link: https://dmacc.edu/foundation/Pages/giving.aspx

We are excited to welcome DMACC Alum Caroline Crocker back to central Iowa to celebrate the release of her latest book, Unforgivable: Through a Child’s Eyes.

This long-anticipated narrative nonfiction manuscript details the childhood of a part-Jewish boy who struggles with a lack of familial comforts, maltreatment, exploitation, bereavement, and probable neurodivergence while living through
and in the aftermath of World War II.

Caroline will mark the release at a special event at 2 p.m., Saturday, May 25, at the Urbandale Public Library. Learn more about Caroline and the new book here: https://unforgivable.website.

CALLING ALL CYCLISTS! 🚴‍♀️🚴🚴‍♂️

👉👉AVAILABLE NOW, FOR A LIMITED TIME: A fresh new DMACC cycling jersey to represent our fine institution out on the trails (or on RAGBRAI’s “College Jersey Day”🐻). ACT NOW as orders are only open until midnight on Sunday, May 19!

Link to order here: https://pmapparel.chipply.com/DMACCRagbraiJerseys/

We wish a wonderful Mother’s Day to all of the Moms out there ... enjoy your day! ❤️💐🤗

Have you checked our scheduled travel for 2024 and 2025?!

As part of the DMACC Alumni Association partnership with Collette Travel and Tours we are offering a great opportunity for domestic and international travel.

When you register for a trip as an alum, supporter or friend of DMACC, a percentage of the trip proceeds goes to support student scholarships at DMACC. That means you travel and DMACC students benefit. Check destinations and find full details linked below!

https://internal.dmacc.edu/alumni/Pages/activities.aspx

We offer a warm welcome to the newest members of the Alumni Association!! 🥳

It has never been more important than now to make a gift in support of students to the DMACC Foundation. As we see enrollment surge, your gift can make the difference for students pursuing their career dreams.

To learn more about how to make a planned gift to the DMACC Foundation, click this link: https://dmacc.myfuturegift.org!

Awesome to see DMACC students honored for excellence. Congrats to DMACC Court Reporting student, Fia (Sophia) Critelli, for winning the National Court Reporters Association NCRF Student Intern Scholarship. Details below!

📚✨ Happy World Book Day! 🌍

Today, we're celebrating the generosity of our donors who are helping to put books into the hands of DMACC students—and Iowa's future leaders!

Thanks to supporters of the Foundation, countless students have access to the resources they need to succeed.

Together, we're making a difference one page at a time! 📖

🌎 Happy Earth Day from the DMACC Foundation! 🌿 Let's come together to celebrate our planet and commit to making positive changes for a sustainable future. 🌱🌍

We are all about making dreams come true in the DMACC Foundation. And while most of the dreams we are spurring are those of our students, we couldn't resist when offered the opportunity to give Dee Johnson a gift on her 85th birthday (April 3) she's been waiting years to receive: A ride in the DMACC semi with President Rob Denson!

Rob and Dee hit the road on April 12, allowing Dee to check a huge item off her bucket list. Dee's interest in riding with Rob has been fueled by her long-time affiliation with DMACC as an employee, member of the DMACC Pioneers and donor. We offer up an 18-wheeler sized HAPPY BIRTHDAY and THANK YOU to Dee. Thanks also to Rob for being the perfect co-pilot and to the DMACC Transportation Institute team for making the magic happen!

Despite his unconventional educational background, Anselm Frietch’s passion for construction and his dedication to learning have positioned him as a standout student in his field.

Having been homeschooled during high school, Anselm benefitted from experiential education in the construction industry. His passion for “swinging a hammer” was fostered over more than a decade of working alongside his father in the family business.

This deep involvement in building over the course of years inspired Anselm to pursue an Associate’s degree in Construction Management at DMACC. Reflecting on his choice of DMACC, Anselm highlights the practical hands-on approach to education offered by the college.

"I chose DMACC because they have very much hands-on work compared to other schools," he says. "They get right to the point with the education in terms of what I'll be doing, which I definitely like."

Scholarships have played a crucial role in Anselm's educational journey, helping him to save money while focusing on gaining the skills necessary to be successful in the competitive construction industry.

Anselm says his studies at DMACC have enhanced his technical skills and taught him valuable lessons about self-discipline.

"I've learned that I have to manage my time to be able to get done all the assignments I have to do for my classes, while also balancing my work," he says. "I have definitely started to learn the importance of time management a lot more than I used to. When you’re homeschooled, it is more self-paced and there aren’t as many deadlines."

Looking ahead, Anselm plans to leverage his education and experience to pursue his dream of starting his own construction company specializing in custom homes. "I recognize the fact that there's a lot of costs associated with starting a business," he says. "I might just have to work for a construction company for a few years, or as a carpenter, just save the money I need to start my own business."

To learn more about how you support students pursuing their dreams, visit this link: https://dmacc.edu/foundation/Pages/giving.aspx

LAST CHANCE: Nominate Alumni of Note

Nominations must be submitted by April 15 for the Outstanding Alumni Award, DMACC Alumni Early Achievement Award, and the DMACC Impact Award presented by the DMACC Alumni Association.

Details: https://www.dmacc.edu/alumni/awards.html