SWCC in the Community

Here are some ways SWCC has assisted Creston and the surrounding communities.

Home reconstruction underway in Diagonal

The college’s carpentry and building trades program has been working on a complete remodel in the Diagonal community during the 2023-24 academic year. The house is located at 599 North Street. This project has been in cooperation with the Diagonal Community Development Corporation. The existing structure was moved one block to a new foundation in late-2022 and construction began in spring 2023. The electrical technology program has been involved in this reconstruction project as well.

Pen Pal program builds relationships between Creston fifth graders and SWCC student-athletes

The past three years, SWCC has worked with teachers at Creston Elementary School to coordinate a pen pal program between students at the elementary school and the college. It has led to exciting opportunities for new friendships on both sides of the pens. Highlights of last year’s pen pal program included a Meet Your Pen Pal event during the men’s Feb. 25, 2023, basketball game, as well as a shared recess at Creston Elementary School in May.

Meals from the Heartland breaks packaging record

During the 2023 Meals from the Heartland packaging event, held in the SWCC Student Center gymnasium, on Wednesday, April 19, from 10 a.m.-3 p.m., 87,048 meals were packaged—the highest total in meals packaged at SWCC in one day since the college began hosting the event in 2013.

Each year, Meals from the Heartland is a highlight during SWCC’s Pay it Forward (PIF) Week. Because of this event in 2023, 334 children will be fed for an entire year.

Southwestern donates land for childcare center

In May 2023, the SWCC board of trustees approved a proposal to transfer property located directly east of the Creston campus, on the other side of Green Valley Road, to Greater Regional Health for the purpose of a parking lot south of the new Greater Connections Childcare Development Center. The childcare center opened during fall 2023.

Electrical program completes work at Clarke County Fairgrounds

During the summer of 2023, the SWCC electrical technology program completed updates for the Clarke County Fairgrounds in Osceola.

Registered nursing students adopt family

During December 2023, the SWCC registered nursing program adopted a family for the holidays through the Matura Action Corp. of Creston.

SWCC hosts 600 high school students

In October, SWCC hosted approximately 600 high school students on campus to check out SWCC's career and technical education programs! The hope is to have each of these students back on campus full-time following their high school graduations.

SWCC admissions and ag departments participate in Southwest IA Women in Ag Career Day

On Oct. 4, the SWCC admissions and ag departments headed to Mount Ayr to participate in a conference held by the Southwest IA Women in Ag. During this career day, SWCC representatives spoke on panels and had an interactive display for participants.