President's Office

Dr. Kristie Fisher

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. 

319-398-5500

kristie.fisher@kirkwood.edu


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)