10/05/23: Area Happenings & Accomplishments

Hartley native named ILCC Dean of Arts and Science

Iowa Lakes Community College has named Julie Westerman as the new Dean of Arts and Science. Westerman brings a wealth of experience in academic leadership and a focus on balancing the needs of students, faculty and administration.

"With a strong dedication to education and a rich background in guiding students of all ages and backgrounds in rural and urban environments, she brings a caring perspective to helping students and faculty," said Kyle Norris, Executive Dean at Iowa Lakes, in a news release. "This valuable expertise positions her to provide efficient assistance to both faculty and students."

Originally from Hartley, Westerman returns home to northwest Iowa to join the administrative team at Iowa Lakes and be closer to her family. Westerman's higher education journey began at the University of South Dakota, where she pursued studies in social work and psychology. She further honed her academic pursuits at DePaul University in Chicago, obtaining a Master's in Writing.

Her dedication to education led to a successful career of more than 20 years at North Park University, where she started as an adjunct faculty member teaching writing, literature, film studies, and English Language Learner classes before serving in a variety of roles at the institution, including academic advising, curriculum development, faculty training, course scheduling, and off-campus program coordination.

At Southeast Technical College in Sioux Falls, Westerman continued her commitment to student success as the Academic Resource Center (ARC) Coordinator for the last three years. Her ARC role involved providing vital academic support to students, reflecting her belief that education should be accessible to all and tailored to diverse learning needs.

"I hope that my experience with faculty, students and administration will serve Iowa Lakes well as we work to grow enrollment, increase student satisfaction, support our faculty in teaching their disciplines, and design and deliver relevant courses and programs, all while continuously seeking to improve our operations so that we can be competitive face-to-face and online," explained Westerman.

The role of the Dean of Arts and Science is essential in ensuring that Iowa Lakes continues to provide a well-rounded and comprehensive educational experience for its students. Westerman's leadership will play a pivotal role in nurturing collaborations between faculty, students and the broader community, further enriching the academic environment at Iowa Lakes.

"Community colleges produce the accountants, daycare providers, mechanics, nurses, plumbers, entrepreneurs and all the other professions that make it possible for us to live in the towns we call home," she said. "So, I am very proud to be part of Iowa Lakes, working to build the communities of northwest Iowa through the programs we offer and the students we educate."

Barb Rohwer serving on state advisory group

Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate and his Auditor Advisory Group are once again working together to serve as trusted sources for information leading into the 2023 City-School Election. Together, the election officials are preparing to dispel election misinformation and disinformation ahead of the election this November and are urging Iowans to turn to trusted sources for election information.

There has been an alarming increase in the spread of false claims regarding elections across the country despite there being no evidence of intrusions into Iowa's election systems. Pate and the county auditors also stand united in their support of the bipartisan teams of poll workers that will work at voting sites this November.

The members of the Auditor Advisory Group and the county each represents include: Barb Rohwer, O'Brien; Amanda Waske, Ringgold; Rebecca Bissell, Adams; Robin Batz, Calhoun; Shelley Wolf, Bremer; Mandy Berg, Adair; Melissa Wellhausen, Page; Tibe Vander Linden, Muscatine; Hayley Rippel, Benton; and Whitney Hein, Jones.

Iowa is ranked No. 3 in the nation for election administration, and Pate and the Auditor Advisory Group are sending a message that Iowans can be assured elections in the state are some of the safest and securest in the country.

"In addition to the many steps election officials take each year to ensure safe and secure elections in our state, we have 10,000 Iowans who step up each election to be poll workers," said Secretary Pate and the auditors in a joint news release. "Poll workers are trusted faces in your community, they are your friends and neighbors. Iowans from both sides of the aisle play a key role in protecting the integrity of our vote, and we have the highest respect for their service."

Additionally, the state auditor's office has also developed an Election Security in Iowa webpage to counter misinformation and disinformation. It includes a Myth vs. Fact section, a detailed breakdown of the many security measures Iowa has put in place to protect elections, and a five-minute video that details how ballots and election equipment are maintained.

Meal programs available to area seniors

Elderbridge Agency on Aging is bringing awareness to the congregate and home-delivered meal programs and how local communities can help sustain the meal services.

The programs provide a hot, delicious and nutritious meal, and offer fellowship and social interaction at the same time. Homebound people appreciate the home-delivered meal option, allowing them to have a healthy meal at home and interact with whoever is delivering it. The programs and the senior centers that help provide the service are crucial partners in meeting Elderbridge's mission of supporting older adults to pursue independent and healthy lives. Elderbridge funding is not intended to fully support senior center activities.

Elderbridge has experienced an increase in the need for nutrition services in all 29 counties that it serves. However, state and federal funding for meal programs have not increased to meet the growing demand for older Iowans' nutritional needs.

Elderbridge is asking communities to reach out to their local senior centers and support them financially. Donations and support from other funding sources besides Elderbridge are necessary to sustain and grow these important sites where meals and opportunities for social interactions are provided.

Elderbridge supports meal programs in Dickinson, Clay, Osceola and O'Brien counties. For more information contact Shelly Sindt at [email protected] or call (800) 243-0678.

Medicare open enrollment period starts Oct. 15

Every year between Oct. 15 and Dec. 7, Iowans on Medicare have the opportunity to review and make changes to their drug plan or Medicare Advantage.

Part D and Medicare Advantage plans can change their coverage, premiums, co-payments and provider networks every year. It is important that Iowans on Medicare review changes to their current plan, and compare with plans available to them in 2024.

Iowa Senior Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP) and Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) are available to help. The program served over 40,000 Medicare beneficiaries in 2022 and saved clients in Iowa millions of dollars by helping them compare and find the plan that best meets their needs.

Take advantage of the annual open enrollment period. Work with local volunteer SHIIP-SMP counselors who are ready to help provide 1-on-1 assistance navigating Medicare options.

SHIIP-SMP programs are free, confidential and unbiased services offered by the State of Iowa. Counselors are volunteers trained by the state and do not sell or promote any insurance companies, policies or agents.

SHIIP-SMP services are available in O'Brien County through MercyOne Primghar Family Practice Clinic. Call (712) 957-5579 to make an appointment.