A network in Columbus Junction and First to Finish in Des Moines are the newest initiatives to be awarded
The Iowa Department of Education today announced that it has awarded nearly $258,000 to five communities throughout the state to fund Local College and Career Access Networks for the 2025-26 academic year. Referred to as LCANs, these local networks work to meet need-based community goals, increasing postsecondary education credential attainment.
“Leveraging purposeful partnerships, LCANs support students pursuing their unique pathways to postsecondary success through high school and beyond,” said Iowa Department of Education Director McKenzie Snow. “The Department continues to grow its partnerships with communities across Iowa, providing students what they need to meet high expectations, reach their goals, and realize their incredible potential.”
The Department’s Bureau of Iowa College Aid provides comprehensive technical assistance and professional development to LCANs as they assess the specific needs of their communities. Each LCAN works to address attainment gaps in partnership with local colleges, schools, area education agencies, employers, and community and faith-based organizations. Narrowing and closing postsecondary education completion gaps, especially by meeting the needs of first-generation students and students from low-income families, is consistently addressed as a community need.
“We’re proud to continue supporting our existing LCANs and are excited to bring this impactful program to additional communities,” said the Department Bureau Chief of Iowa College Aid David Ford. “LCANs help create localized strategies to support students in exploring diverse career and postsecondary pathways, ultimately strengthening communities across Iowa.”
The LCAN grant series is a four-year model with annual awards averaging more than $50,000 for new grantees. Communities whose LCANs have completed their four-year grant cycle can receive sustaining grants of up to $30,000.
This year's awardees include two new LCANs in Columbus Junction and Des Moines. The grants will allow both LCANs to build cross-sector teams and sustain efforts over time to increase college and career access and attainment in their community.
The Columbus Junction LCAN, spearheaded by the Columbus Community School District, aims to ensure access to summer math remediation and preparation, provide transportation for dual enrollment classes, and reduce financial barriers for students prepared to take more rigorous courses.
First to Finish in Des Moines will serve students in Des Moines Public Schools, supporting first-generation college students in the district's five high schools in partnership with the Des Moines Area Community College's Urban Campus.
In addition to the two new LCANs, multiple continuation and sustaining grants were awarded:
Year II:
- Attendance Matters: Four-county LCAN in Northeast Iowa focuses on reducing chronic absenteeism to increase graduation rates and postsecondary enrollment and completion.
Year IV:
- Math Pathways to Success: A statewide LCAN focused on increasing postsecondary enrollment and completion by ensuring effective mathematics transitions from high school to college for all Iowa students.
Sustaining:
- Future Ready Perry: Perry LCAN focused on increasing postsecondary enrollment of students at Perry High School and developing clear pathways towards high-demand careers.
Since the first LCANs were formed in 2015, more than $4 million has been invested in 23 communities in Iowa to increase college and career attainment. More information on Iowa LCANs is available on the Department’s website.