tamatoledonews.com MARSHALLTOWN (SPECIAL) – Joan Jaimes, the Marshalltown Community College Outreach Counselor for the Marshalltown Education Partnership (MEP), is a working example of the Iowa Valley Community College District Mission Statement: “IVCCD is committed to providing quality learning experiences, ensuring student success, responding to diverse community needs, and building community partnerships.”

On Feb. 19, the United States Council on Latino Affairs (USCLA) held its Annual Summit in Chicago, electing and installing new officers. Joan Jaimes was elected secretary. The USCLA encompasses directors of Latino affairs, commissions and agencies in 24 states. It works to promote Latino community priorities at the national level and identifies promising practices for agencies and programs led by USCLA members. Joan was appointed by the Governor to the Commission of Latino Affairs and serves as the commissioner on the Iowa Board of Human Rights.

Joan actively serves her community in additional leadership roles as a Marshalltown Chamber of Commerce board member and minister at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Marshalltown. Her dedication and involvement in the community enhances all of the partnerships as they work to meet the needs of individuals.

Joan was born in Brownsville, Texas, the daughter of Mexican immigrants. Beginning at 11 years old, Joan spent summers as a migrant farm worker in fields of tomatoes, cucumbers, sugar beets, strawberries, green beans, squash and other vegetables. Her work ethic was well established when she met Guatemala native Eliesar Jaimes while they were employed at the IBP Pork Plant in Perry. They married in 1995 and have lived in Marshalltown for 12 years. They have three children.

Joan achieved success as a student, graduating from MCC in 2000, continuing her education at Buena Vista University for a bachelor’s degree in human services, with emphasis in psychology and Spanish in 2003; and then a master’s in public administration at Keller Graduate School in 2010. She was hired by Iowa Valley in November 2008.

“The goal of the Marshalltown Education Partnership is to make post-secondary education available to all graduates of Marshalltown High School. I present the program to all of the eighth graders at Miller Middle School,” explains Jaimes. “To be part of MEP: students and parents must register before beginning their ninth grade year at MHS and sign a Commitment to Excellence Form; be first generation college students; and demonstrate financial need.”

One reason Joan is so successful in her leadership roles is that her life experiences are common to many of the 279 students she visits each month at MHS. She also helps members of committees and agencies understand the needs of the Latino community and works with them to establish priorities that increase educational and career opportunities through partnerships.

“I meet with students by grade level and bring them important information about attending college, admissions, scholarships, career, salary, internships, placement exams, dual credit courses, resume, interviewing, etc.,” adds Joan. “After they graduate from MHS they may qualify for 50 percent of their tuition to MCC if they obtain at least a 2.75 GPA and maintain 95 percent attendance. Once they are at MCC I make sure they continue to qualify for the scholarship by keeping their GPA at 2.0.

Joan worked hard to get her education at MCC and beyond, and has achieved stunning success. She knows the value of quality learning experiences and she sees the diverse needs in our community. As the MCC Outreach Counselor for the Marshalltown Education Partnership she is in a role where she is able to respond to those needs and help build partnerships that continue to support student successes into the future.