Trustees group salutes Gorham and Starcevich for service to college, community and statewide cause
President Mick Starcevich
Two veteran leaders at Kirkwood Community College were recently honored by the Iowa Association of Community College Trustees. President Mick Starcevich and Trustee Karen Gorham were each chosen for awards at the annual IACCT conference, July 25-27. Iowa Lakes Community College hosted the 2012 program.
The Iowa community college trustees honored Starcevich with the annual Outstanding Chief Administrator Award, citing his years of advocacy for initiatives and needs both in east central Iowa for Kirkwood, and statewide via leadership of the community college presidents group. They also noted Starcevich’s commitment to continuous improvement efforts at Kirkwood and energetic work to further learner success and economic development.
Gorham was the winner of the Diversity/Equity Award, the first recipient of this new IACCT honor in 2012. Gorham has served as trustee since 1996, representing Washington County. She was recognized for her long-time service to the Latino community and other immigrant populations in Washington County. For more than two decades Gorham has led literacy, human services and other support projects to welcome new residents to the area and promote better understanding among different cultures. She has donated many thousands of volunteer hours for literacy and advocacy for new immigrant families.
Trustee Karen Gorham
Kirkwood Trustee Chair Lois Bartelme saluted the IACCT leadership for choosing Starcevich and Gorham for the 2012 awards.
“These honors are richly deserved and reflect the unique strengths of two remarkable people,” Bartelme said. “A great strength Mick shares with us is his leadership of the Iowa community college presidents. Over the past year he has been tireless in bringing the needs of our two-year colleges to the Statehouse with one clear voice and a shared purpose. The admiration and respect Mick has earned around the state is amazing to see. Mick is also a role model for everyone in making sound, fact-based decisions for the greater good. He truly is an educator and leader who puts students and communities first.
“Karen Gorham is the perfect recipient of the inaugural IACCT Diversity/Equity Award. When I heard about this new honor, Karen came to mind immediately,” Bartelme continued. “The work she has done to improve the lives of her new Latino neighbors is a model for any community. In her diligent, patient way she has fostered better understanding and promoted not only learning and literacy, but a healthier community in many other ways. I know that Karen cares for this community like members of her extended family. They have grown from her welcoming ways to greater productivity in the Washington area. Both of these people represent the best of our college and the richness of Iowa’s people.”