Holcomb Named President of Hawkeye Community College

Alumnus Todd Holcomb (EdD ’92) has been named the eighth president of Hawkeye Community College in Waterloo, Iowa, beginning July 1, 2019. Hawkeye Community College serves more than 25,000 individuals and awards nearly 1,500 diplomas and degrees annually. Since 1966, the college has had a significant impact on the Waterloo and Cedar Rapids area, by graduating more than 50,000 students, with 94 percent staying in Iowa.

He currently serves as president of Western Nebraska Community College, a multi-campus comprehensive community college in Scottsbluff, Nebraska.

The community college sector provides low-cost postsecondary education and a pathway to economic success for those it serves. A recent New America poll on community colleges found that this sector of higher education can prepare students to contribute to a strong work force and is a great value for students. Holcomb has spent the last nine years at WNCC trying to prepare students to meet future economic challenges.  “I firmly believe there is no greater mission than equal access and opportunity for students, the advancement of education, and educating leaders for tomorrow.” He intends to bring his innovative and visionary ideas to Hawkeye Community College. 

Prior to becoming president at WNCC in 2010, he was vice president of student services from 2009 to 2010, which followed a six-year tenure as associate vice president for student affairs at Iowa State University. He also served as an interim director for both ISU Dining and the Department of Residence at Iowa State.

Before Iowa State, Holcomb spent nine years at Miami University in Ohio (1994-2003), serving as associate director and later director of the Office of Residence Life and New Student Programs, interim assistant vice president for student affairs, and associate dean of students for residence life and new student programs.

Dr. Holcomb has a Bachelor of Science in psychology from Truman State University, a Master of Education in higher education administration from Texas Tech University, a Doctor of Education in higher education from the University of Georgia, and a certificate in fundraising management from Indiana University’s School of Philanthropy.