Southwestern Community College (SWCC) announced today Beth Kulow will be the college’s new dean of student services. Kulow succeeds Dr. Matt Thompson, who recently accepted a position at Indian Hills Community College in Ottumwa.
Kulow, a native of Mediapolis, has served as the southwest regional manager for the Iowa STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) Education Network since August 2012. The governor’s STEM Advisory Council, which oversees the Iowa STEM hub, is a public-private partnership whose overarching goal is creating greater student achievement in STEM subjects and building a stronger STEM workforce. In this position, Kulow has traveled a region consisting of 56 southwest Iowa school districts implementing Scale-Up Programs in local school districts to grow STEM educational programming for every learner. Under Kulow’s direction, the southwest region achieved 98 percent participation during two academic school-years.
Prior to her position with STEM, Kulow served as the director for the Creston site of Buena Vista University Graduate & Professional Studies. She continues to teach education courses for Buena Vista, as well as supervise student teachers in BV’s education program.
Kulow started her professional career teaching for the Burlington Community School District. She was a middle school educator for six years and served as a school administrator for Burlington’s After School Program from 2008-2011.
Dr. Barb Crittenden, SWCC’s president, is confident Kulow’s background in education administration and instruction will provide a solid base for Kulow as she starts this new endeavor.
“We’re excited about getting another year underway and having students back on campus,” Crittenden explained. “Beth will bring a lot of energy and experience to this position. With students moving into the residence halls and classes starting next week, she starts her position at an extremely busy time of year. We’re looking forward to getting off to a great start and having another good year with students.”
Kulow has a bachelor of science in education from Western Illinois University and a master of arts in education from the University of Northern Iowa. She lives in Creston with Jared and their two-year old daughter, Kinsley.
She will begin transitioning into her new role as dean of student services immediately. Classes at SWCC begin on August 28.