At a recent community conversation in Iola, attendees noted they’d like to see greater collaboration among the various governing bodies who make the day-to-day decisions for the community.
Becky Nilges was listening.
Nilges, chairwoman of the Allen Community College trustees board, suggested a joint meeting “sometime in spring” with ACC and others, such as the City of Iola, USD 257 and Allen County commissioners.
Nilges’s comments came during the trustee board meeting Tuesday.
Thrive Allen County’s community conversation was illuminating, Nilges said, because of the overwhelming desire by attendees for municipal and educational leaders to “sit down and see where we can cooperate on things,” Nilges said.
Perhaps the cost of equipment could be shared, for example, or projects could be administered jointly, she said.
If nothing else, such meetings would allow those representatives to spell out their priorities and projects for the near and distant future, Nilges said.
“Maybe somebody has a goal. We could collaborate with them,” she said.
In a related matter, fellow Trustee Jessica Thompson said board members should meet early in 2026 for a goal-setting session.
“I know we don’t want to have more meetings, but we should talk about what the new year will bring,” Thompson said, noting the college has several weighty decisions to make in the coming months on facilities improvements and course development.
JACOB REICHARD, director of institutional effectiveness and research, briefed trustees on the college’s accreditation process.
Allen is midway through its 10-year cycle, having last been accredited during the 2018-19 academic year.
The next evaluation is set for 2028-29, but Allen is already well into the planning stages.
College administrators are already meeting with subcommittees on everything from the college’s mission to teaching and learning success programs.
KELLY BAKER, director of workforce development and programs, told trustees Allen has 16 apprentices in place for 2025-26.
The program offers students an opportunity to “earn while you learn” experience with local employers
