Vinton resident and Kirkwood employee Kasey Tumilty to lead Benton County Center
Kirkwood Community College named its new director of the Benton County Center in Vinton. Kasey Tumilty, a Kirkwood Benton County alum and former employee started as the county director on September 1.
Originally from Shellsburg, Kasey first joined Kirkwood as a student in 2002, taking classes at the Benton County Center and the main campus in Cedar Rapids. She earned her Associate’s degree in Education Careers in 2005. While a Kirkwood student, Tumilty worked as a part-time employee of the Benton County Center, where she was on staff for five years.
After earning her Bachelor’s degree in English from Mount Mercy University in 2007, Tumilty left her part-time position in Benton County and moved into a full-time position in Kirkwood’s Social Sciences department, and most recently as the department coordinator in Kirkwood’s Math/Science department. This spring Tumilty taught a Basic Writing course at the Benton County Center.
“I know what it’s like to be a Distance Learning student, and a product of Kirkwood; I am very proud to continue my work here in this role,” said Tumilty. “I’m happy to be working back home in Benton County and even more proud to serve community college students in our area.”
Tumilty and her fiancé live in Vinton, and are both Vinton-Shellsburg graduates. They will get married next June. She is currently working on her Master’s degree in Postsecondary Education: Student Affairs at the University of Northern Iowa, and will finish in December.
Tumilty will continue to work with high school students through Project Lead the Way, and on Science, Technology, Engineering and Math initiatives for the college.
“I have a passion for advising students and making sure they take the classes that will eventually help them achieve their goals,” said Tumilty. “I also enjoy working with the high schools, and am excited to continue my work with Project Lead the Way.” For more information on the Kirkwood Benton County Center, to sign up for classes or find out more information about the services offered, visit www.kirkwood.edu/vinton or call 319-472-2318.