Students in Western Iowa Tech Community College’s Learning Exchange Seminar gained hands-on experience while making a meaningful impact in the Siouxland community. The project-based course connected students with local organizations to address real-world challenges while strengthening teamwork, communication, and problem-solving skills. Rather than focusing solely on coursework, students applied what they learned through direct community involvement and practical experience.
Students in the course split into two groups, each partnering with a local organization to better understand community needs and how collaboration can lead to meaningful change.
One group of students, Lucy Mawindo, Dorient Bondo, and Mickness Musopole, partnered with the Siouxland Council on Child Abuse and Neglect (SCCAN) and the Crittenton Center to support individuals in need during the winter months. Through their work, the students helped provide warm winter coats to 19 individuals staying at the Crittenton Center, an emergency shelter serving children and families in crisis.
For the students, the experience was both educational and personal. Coming from Africa, where winter weather is far less severe, the Midwest climate was eye-opening. Through the project, they gained a deeper understanding of how cold weather created additional hardship for vulnerable individuals and families. The group shared that the experience helped them learn how to communicate effectively, think critically, and find solutions to complicated issues while leading with empathy, warmth, and care.
The project was supported by Erin McLarty, program director with Siouxland Human Investment Partnership, who helped connect the students with SCCAN and the Crittenton Center and provided guidance throughout the project. Students described the experience as an opportunity to learn while giving back and strengthening their connection to the Siouxland community.
Another group of students, Natalie Quezada-Espinoza and Thaiz Jones-Reyes, partnered with Beyond the Bell, a local organization focused on youth engagement and community programming. Through the partnership, the students gained a closer look at what it took to plan and support a community event, including communication, coordination, and working directly with children and families.
The students supported Beyond the Bell’s fall festival by planning and hosting a hands-on craft activity they designed and implemented themselves. This allowed them to connect with children in the program as well as their families, providing meaningful interaction and engagement. Through the experience, the students gained valuable insight into community needs and the importance of creating safe, supportive spaces for youth who benefit from additional care and resources.
Together, these projects reflected Western Iowa Tech students’ interest in supporting their community while learning how to get involved, build partnerships, and make a positive impact beyond the classroom.