MARSHALLTOWN, IA – Marshalltown Community College (MCC) officially broke ground Thursday morning, Sept. 10, on a major student housing expansion designed to meet surging enrollment demand and mark the beginning of the college’s second century of service to central Iowa.

The project will add 64 new beds, expanding MCC’s campus housing capacity from 152 to 216 spots. Driven by two consecutive years of steady enrollment growth—on top of a significant increase four years ago—housing demand has pushed past MCC’s current limits. This fall, nearly 210 students require on-campus living accommodations. 

Targeted to open its first two buildings in fall 2027, the expansion marks the start of MCC’s second century. The project is a focal point of "Building on the Foundation," the MCC 100 centennial campaign celebrating 100 years of helping students build careers and lives in central Iowa. 

To help bring that vision to life, the college launched the Building Together fundraising campaign with a goal of raising $1 million in private support. IVCCD President Dr. Anne Howsare Boyens highlighted the community-wide impact during the morning ceremony. 

"We want this to be something the community helps create—not simply something the College constructs," Boyens said. "It is an opportunity for alumni, businesses, foundations, friends of MCC, and members of this community to make an investment whose impact will extend well beyond today"

The event featured brief remarks from campus and community leaders who helped launch the project. MCC Provost Dr. Matt Schmit opened the ceremony by recognizing the collaborative effort required to reach this milestone, extending thanks to the Iowa Valley Community College District Board of Directors, the MCC Foundation Board, the Campaign Launch Team, elected officials, construction partners, and dedicated staff across the college. John Hall, President & CEO of the Marshalltown Area Chamber of Commerce, also addressed attendees, emphasizing the project's vital role in driving local economic development and workforce growth.

In addition to meeting critical residential needs, the build offers an unprecedented learning opportunity for MCC trades students. Throughout construction, students in the Construction Technology and Construction Management programs will work alongside instructors and professional contractors to take an active role in building future student housing. Construction Technology faculty member Jake Bennett noted that giving students hands-on experience on an active job site provides the ultimate practical training, making the project one of the clearest examples of what an MCC technical education produces by giving students the skills to build something real.

Community members and alumni can follow progress, view site updates, and track fundraising milestones on the official "Follow the Build" page at https://www.iavalley.edu/mcc100/building-together/updates.html.