State Rep. Josh Turek discusses support for four-year degrees at Iowa Western during a legislative public forum in Council Bluffs on Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026.
A proposal to allow select Iowa community colleges — including Iowa Western — to offer bachelor’s degrees in high-demand fields is effectively dead for this session after a Senate committee declined to advance the measure Wednesday.
State Sen. Lynn Evans, R-Aurelia, speaks during a Senate education subcommittee hearing on Jan., 31, 2024. He said Wednesday that a proposed bill to allow select community colleges to offer bachelor’s degrees lacked enough support in the Senate for continued consideration this legislative session, though the proposal will get continued discussion.
Kirkwood Community College students hang out with each other in the dining area of Iowa Hall on Monday, Feb. 9, 2026. Iowa lawmakers this year were considering a pilot program that would allow the state’s community colleges to offer four-year degrees in high-demand fields, but that issue is unlikely to advance, allowing for further study later this year.
Mount Mercy and St. Ambrose staff members, students and community members listen to President Amy Novak of St. Ambrose University and President Todd Olson of Mount Mercy University talk about the two schools combining during an Aug. 1, 2024, news conference at the Mount Mercy University campus in Cedar Rapids.
Kirkwood Community College students hang out with each other in the dining area of Iowa Hall on Monday, Feb. 9, 2026. Iowa lawmakers this year were considering a pilot program that would allow the state’s community colleges to offer four-year degrees in high-demand fields, but that issue is unlikely to advance, allowing for further study later this year.
State Sen. Lynn Evans, R-Aurelia, speaks during a Senate education subcommittee hearing on Jan., 31, 2024. He said Wednesday that a proposed bill to allow select community colleges to offer bachelor’s degrees lacked enough support in the Senate for continued consideration this legislative session, though the proposal will get continued discussion.
Mount Mercy and St. Ambrose staff members, students and community members listen to President Amy Novak of St. Ambrose University and President Todd Olson of Mount Mercy University talk about the two schools combining during an Aug. 1, 2024, news conference at the Mount Mercy University campus in Cedar Rapids.
