President's Office
Dr. Kristie Fisher
Sixth President: 2023 – Present
Dr. Fisher is a graduate of Kirkwood and an accomplished higher education leader with years of experience in helping students of all ages reach their academic goals.
Education
Associate of Arts
Kirkwood Community College
Bachelor of Arts
Major: Communication Studies
The University of Iowa
Master of Business Administration
The University of Iowa
Doctor of Philosophy: Higher Education
Emphasis: Educational Leadership and Policy Studies
Iowa State University
A dedicated and passionate public servant, she came to Kirkwood after having led the Iowa Valley Community College District as its president since 2019.
Fisher has held multiple positions at Kirkwood throughout the course of her career. From 1995 to 2000, she served as the Annual Giving Director for the Kirkwood Foundation. Following a four-year period as the Director of Community Relations with College Community School District in Cedar Rapids, she came back to Kirkwood in 2004 to serve as the Director of Special Projects and Assistant to the President under Mick Starcevich’s leadership. In 2006, Fisher was named Kirkwood’s Vice President of Student Services, a position she held until 2014. She then became the Senior Director/Assistant Vice President of National Associations and Market Engagement for ACT, Inc. in Iowa City, where she stayed until being named President of Iowa Valley.
After a nationwide search by the college, Fisher was announced as the sixth president in Kirkwood's history. She began serving in her role in October of 2023.
President's Cabinet & College Leadership
| Jasmine Almoayyed Vice President, Continuing Education and Training Services jasmine.almoayyed@kirkwood.edu 319-398-5525 |
Melissa Payne Vice President, Student Services melissa.payne@kirkwood.edu 319-398-4977 |
Casey Dunning Vice President, Finance casey.dunning@kirkwood.edu 319-398-7172 |
| Wes Fowler Vice President, Human Resources wes.fowler@kirkwood.edu 319-398-7797 |
Jennifer Bradley Vice President, Academic Affairs jennifer.bradley@kirkwood.edu 319-398-5537 |
Troy McQuillen Vice President, Facilities & Public Safety troy.mcquillen@kirkwood.edu 319-398-5569 |
| Jon Neff Vice President, Technology Services jon.neff@kirkwood.edu 319-398-7195 |
Jody Pellerin Vice President, Advancement jody.pellerin@kirkwood.edu 319-398-5409 |
President Emeritus
The Board of Trustees may grant president emeritus status to a Kirkwood Community College president who is retiring or leaving the position of president, has provided distinguished service to the college, and has served as college president for at least five years. “Distinguished service” is defined as service that goes beyond the normal duties and responsibilities of the appointment, and which has had extraordinary impact on the college and/or the broader community. Such service reflects that the individual demonstrated exceptional commitment and contributions to the college, exemplifying the highest standards of personal and professional integrity, civic responsibility, vision, and leadership. A member of the Board of Trustees may nominate the Kirkwood president at the time of his/her departure to become president emeritus. The title must be approved by a majority vote of the full Board.
President Emeritus Board Policy
Past presidents with president emeritus status:
- Dr. Norm Nielsen (1985–2005)
- Dr. Lori Sundberg (2018–2023)