VINTON, Iowa (April 15, 2026)–Kirkwood Community College will host its next Benton County Leadership Council meeting on Monday, April 27, at 1 p.m. at the Kirkwood Benton County Center in Vinton. Kirkwood Trustee Joel Thys, college administrators and staff, and local community leaders are all expected to be in attendance.

The meeting will feature updates about the latest Kirkwood developments in Benton County. Attendees will also hear a presentation from Kirkwood’s Continuing Education and Training Services division highlighting results from the Skills 2027 survey. The survey gathered input from businesses across Kirkwood’s seven-county service area to better understand workforce needs from 2025 through 2027, including credential requirements, industry-specific talent demands, and strategies to support regional workforce development and career pathways.

Additionally, a panel discussion will include perspectives from a handful of Benton County residents including:

• Tina Eden – Kirkwood alum and CEO of Virginia Gay Hospitals and Clinics
• Emily Henkle – Kirkwood alum and owner of Flowers by Nature’s Corner
• Jamie Farmer – Kirkwood alum, Leadership in Manufacturing program participant and Operations Manager at Clickstop
• Megan Schulte – Kirkwood alum and VP of Human Resources at Frontier Co-Op

“These meetings are energizing for Benton County,” said Kirkwood Benton County Center Director Kasey Keeling. “It is really neat to have various business and community members come in and be a part of the discussion, and we welcome any who have an interest to take part in the conversation. The feedback and ideas that are shared in these county leadership meetings are listened to, and as someone who is a part of the community and a part of Kirkwood, it is exciting to see us come together. At Kirkwood, we want to make sure that we are staying connected with our communities, our businesses, our schools, and our members, because they are why we do what we do, and they are who we want to support.”

The Benton County Leadership Council meets twice a year, once in the fall and once in the spring. The public is encouraged to attend and participate in the discussion. Community members will have the opportunity to ask questions and provide feedback on local educational needs and workforce challenges.

To RSVP, contact Kasey Keeling at kasey.keeling@kirkwood.edu or call 319-472-2318.

*****EVENT*****

What: Kirkwood Community College Benton County Leadership Council Meeting

Where: The Kirkwood Benton County Center, 111 W 3rd Street in Vinton

When: Monday, April 27, from 1–2:30 p.m.

Who can attend: The meeting is open to the public

RSVP: Kasey Keeling at kasey.keeling@kirkwood.edu or call 319-472-2318


With more than 150 majors and programs, Kirkwood Community College boasts more than 17,000 annual college-credit students, while maintaining one of the lowest tuitions in the state. All degree-seeking students are eligible for federal financial aid and the college offers more than $3 million in scholarships each year to students from all walks of life. Kirkwood is a convenient, innovative and visionary educational leader that strives to remain affordable and accessible.