Iowa Central President Completes Leadership Iowa

Public Information Office
6/28/2024

Iowa Central Community College is proud to announce that Dr. Jesse Ulrich, President of Iowa Central, has completed the Leadership Iowa program. Dr. Ulrich is one of only forty leaders in the state to be selected for a statewide leadership program. The Iowa Association of Business and Industry (ABI) Foundation created the prestigious program and has graduated 42 classes since its inception. “It’s an honor to be selected and represent Iowa Central Community College,” notes Dr. Ulrich. Leadership Iowa exists to educate, inspire, and grow a network of informed leaders and to encourage their ongoing local and statewide engagement to create a better future for Iowans.

The in-person classes connect various businesses leaders to a variety of subject-matter experts in Iowa industries including agriculture, manufacturing, government, healthcare, education, workforce and economic development. “During the classes, we are given the opportunity to learn first-hand from industry experts and strengthen our knowledge of the specific industry. From the community college perspective, it is beneficial to know more about our workforce and needs at the state level because community colleges are the number one provider of a skilled workforce,” says Dr. Ulrich who graduated from the program during a special ceremony on June 6^th.

The Program Director of ABI, Jessi McQuerrey, says the program increases leadership. “Leadership Iowa fosters interconnectedness across all communities and industries by uniting motivated Iowans around all that’s happening right now in our state.”  She adds that the program inspires innovation. “The program not only highlights many aspects that we have to be proud of as Iowans, but also ways in which we can continue to grow and implement innovative solutions together. Leadership Iowa is an annual showcase of Iowans supporting Iowans, and we have more than 200 individuals across our state to thank for lending their time and support to make this experience possible this year.”

Since Leadership Iowa’s inception in 1982, more than 1,400 Iowans have completed the program. Forty participants are selected annually, and participants represent all regions of the state, a variety of industries, companies, and backgrounds.