Western Iowa Tech Community College and iJAG Partner to Advance Student Success and Workforce Readiness
Partnership strengthens career development, student retention, and employer connections through personalized support
Western Iowa Tech Community College (WITCC) and Iowa Jobs for America’s Graduates (iJAG) are proud to announce the launch of the iJAG College Success Program, a new partnership providing students with personalized career development, workforce preparation, employer connections, and individualized support as they navigate college and prepare for successful careers.
The partnership began during the spring 2026 semester, with the initial months focused on establishing the program and building connections with students, faculty, and existing support services. As the program enters its first full academic year at WITCC, iJAG is taking a more active role in student support, career development, and employer engagement across campus.
The partnership builds on iJAG’s proven model of career readiness, leadership development, employer engagement, and one-on-one coaching while completing WITCC’s existing student support network, including Project Success, TRIO programs, academic advisors, and counselors.
Together, WITCC and iJAG are creating an additional layer of support designed to help students persist in college, identify career pathways, build professional skills, and successfully transition into employment.
“Western Iowa Tech has built a culture centered on the success of every student, and that makes them an outstanding partner,” said Dr. Wendy Mihm-Herold, President & CEO of Iowa Jobs for America’s Graduates. “At iJAG, we know that relationships change lives. Together, we’re helping students not only complete their education but also develop the confidence, career skills, and employer connections they need to succeed long after graduation.”
The partnership reflects a natural alignment between the two organizations. WITCC’s vision emphasizes the personalized success of every student, every employee, every time, while iJAG is committed to serving “Every Student. No Matter What.”
Early Collaboration Creates Career Connections
Since its launch, the iJAG College Success Program has already begun making an impact through intentional collaboration with faculty, student support services, employers, and campus initiatives.
One of the program’s first collaborations has been with instructors in WITCC’s Workplace Communication program. Through mock interviews, individualized coaching, and professional feedback, students have strengthened their interviewing techniques, communication skills, and workplace confidence.
The collaboration has fostered trusting relationships between students and the iJAG Career Coach, Dr. Christian Supiot, creating an ongoing resource for career guidance beyond the classroom.
“I am grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with Dr. Christian Supiot this past semester,” said Holly DeGrote, Director of Academic Effectiveness and Workplace Communication Instructor at WITCC. “Through mock interviews, individualized coaching, constructive feedback, and practical strategies, he helped students build confidence, strengthen their professional skills, and prepare to successfully enter the workforce. Several students continued to seek him out after the mock interviews for additional career guidance, demonstrating the trust he built and the value of having this resource available to our students.”
Extending Support Beyond the Classroom
iJAG has also become an active partner in campus initiatives that connect students with employers, alumni, families, and community resources.
This spring, iJAG helped plan and support WITCC’s inaugural Alumni Student Mixer, bringing together former students and Siouxland employers to help current students build professional networks and explore career opportunities.
The program also participated in the college’s Special Services Fair, connecting students with varying abilities and their families to valuable campus and community resources while highlighting the broader network of support available through both WITCC and iJAG.
These experiences reflect iJAG’s approach to college and career success: pairing individualized coaching with real-world learning, employer engagement, professional skill development, and relationships that help students move confidently from education into employment.
Building the Siouxland Workforce
As the partnership grows, WITCC and iJAG will continue to expand opportunities for students to connect with employers, strengthen career readiness skills, explore work-based learning experiences, and prepare for high-demand careers throughout Siouxland and Iowa.
By combining WITCC’s comprehensive student support system with iJAG’s career-connected model, the organizations are helping students build skills, relationships, and experiences needed to succeed in college, employment, and beyond.
About Western Iowa Tech Community College (WITCC)
Western Iowa Tech Community College (WITCC) serves students throughout northwest Iowa, offering high-quality academic, technical, and workforce education programs designed to meet the evolving needs of students, employers, and communities. Guided by its vision of an unwavering commitment to the personalized success of every student, every employee, every time, WITCC provides innovative educational opportunities, comprehensive student support services, and strong partnerships with regional industries to prepare graduates for successful careers and lifelong learning.
About Iowa Jobs for America’s Graduates (iJAG)
Iowa Jobs for America’s Graduates (iJAG) is a statewide nonprofit that partners with schools, postsecondary institutions, and employers to connect education with employment and prepare students for success in school, careers, and life. Through individualized support, career exploration, leadership development, employer engagement, and work-based learning, iJAG helps students build the skills, confidence, and connections to achieve their goals. iJAG serves more than 13,000 students through 200+ programs in more than 80 Iowa communities, delivering on its commitment to “Every Student. No Matter What.”