For the second time in 22 years, Des Moines Area Community College Board President Joe Pugel of Newton is leading the search for a new DMACC President, as Current President and CEO Rob Denson announced his retirement effective December 30th of this year. 

In 2003, Pugel headed up the candidate search that ended with Denson’s hiring. He says the key to Denson’s success at DMACC has been his ability to recognize the needs of the students, faculty and staff, and the communities the college serves, and find solutions to those needs. Pugel adds that Denson’s strong Midwest values, student-first mindset, and ability to form important partnerships have been a real asset to the community college. 

The DMACC Board of Trustees plan to conduct a national search for Denson’s successor with the help of a hired consultant. Pugel says the Trustees will get input from faculty, staff, and the communities DMACC serves as they search for a new President with experience managing a large organization, high ethical standards, fiscal expertise, the ability to form partnerships, and a student-first attitude.

DMACC opened the Newton Campus in the original 105,000-square-foot building in 1993, with financial support from the Maytag Company and the City of Newton.