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About the Black Hawk Local College Access Network

Who We Are

A group of cross-sectional community leaders committed to increasing access, enrollment, and completion of postsecondary certificates and college degrees. We believe that increasing local education attainment rates is critical to growing a strong economy and healthy community. Our mission is in alignment with the Future Ready Iowa Goal: that by 2025 70% of Iowans will have an education beyond high school. By 2025 68% of Iowa jobs will require training and education beyond high school. According to U.S. Census data, 40.7% of Black Hawk County residents (ages 25-64) hold an associate degree or higher. Those especially vulnerable to the achievement gap are those of minority, first-generation, and low-income status. Our vision of creating initiatives that will empower members of our community to achieve educational pathways toward workplace success will generate a stronger, more vibrant community. 

 

Our Mission:

To ignite and strengthen the belief that all people deserve access to higher education.

 

Our Vision:

Through unification, exploration, and innovation we will assist individuals in the pursuit and achievement of their educational pathways toward workplace success.

Our Goals:

  • To increase FAFSA completion rates from 53.4% to 60% by 2024 in Black Hawk County utilizing data from the FAFSA tracker.

  • Increase postsecondary educational attainment rates for nontraditional students in Black Hawk County to 54% by 2025. (FRI Goal).

Our Plan:

  • Decrease outstanding student loan debt by generating avenues of monetary resources along with creating awareness of existing resources  

  • Increase educational opportunities for financial literacy and financial aid awareness

  • Coordinate and enhance programs, services, and resources that help students pursue postsecondary educational opportunities

  • Promote community awareness on what the FAFSA is, why it’s important, and how to complete the form 

  • Increase the level of student support with navigating the bureaucracy when preparing for and transitioning to higher education 

  • Increase the knowledge and availability of postsecondary resources available to students prior to exiting from high school and arriving on campus

  • Create an awareness of the availability of resources available to pursue and complete higher education for nontraditional students

The work of the Black Hawk LCAN is supported in large part by Iowa College Aid grant funds. Iowa College Aid provides funding, training, and technical assistance to develop LCANs around the state of Iowa. 

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© 2024 by

Black Hawk County LCAN

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