Long-time employee Tera Pickens to lead Washington County Center
Kirkwood Community College named its new director of the Washington County Center. Tera Pickens moves into the role after 12 years working at Kirkwood, replacing the recently retired director, Nancy Rash.
Originally from Fairfield, Iowa, Pickens earned her Associate’s degree from Kirkwood, before earning a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration and Public Relations from Coe College. Pickens recently completed her Masters of Education from Iowa State University in the Education Leadership and Policy Studies program with an emphasis in Community College Leadership.
While completing her undergraduate work, Pickens worked part time in Kirkwood’s Distance Learning department. After completing her bachelor’s degree, she moved over to Kirkwood’s Student Services department, then working as an admissions counselor in the Admissions and Student Life department, where she served the past eight years.
During her time in Admissions, Pickens worked closely with prospective students, parents and high school guidance counselors, guiding them through the college admissions process.
“The job had me traveling throughout eastern and southeastern Iowa, being the first Kirkwood point-of-contact for high school guidance counselors and their students,” said Pickens. “I would tell students how Kirkwood Community College could help them achieve their goals, and then actually walk them through the steps they needed to take to do just that.”
Pickens, her husband and their three-month old daughter recently moved to Washington. Her husband has been working in the Washington community for the last four years.
“I know the importance of a college education and the impact it can have on students from smaller communities,” added Pickens. “The Washington County Center is such a great resource for the community and I am looking forward to continuing to foster and grow the great partnerships that are already in place and also look to new and creative ways to better serve the community and students.”
Pickens, a first-generation college student, strongly believes in higher education and is passionate about student success. “I have worked at Kirkwood long enough to see how great of an impact the college has on people’s lives. I truly feel that Kirkwood would be a wonderful start for anyone who is considering a college diploma or degree or simply would like to take classes for their own personal interest.”
For more information on the Kirkwood Washington County Center, to sign up for classes or find out more information about the services offered, visit www.kirkwood.edu/washington or call 319-653-4655.