Kristie Fisher was appointed the sixth president of Kirkwood Community College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. She will take office this coming fall.
Kirkwood Community College enrolls more than 12,600 students, according to the most recent statistics provided by the U.S. Department of Education. Women make up 55 percent of the student body.
Currently the president of Iowa Valley Community College in Marshalltown, Dr. Fisher has served in that role since 2019. She returns to Kirkwood after having served two previous stints at the college. From 1995 to 2000, Fisher served as the annual giving director for the college’s foundation. Following a four-year period as the director of community relations with the 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. In 2006, Dr. Fisher was named Kirkwood’s vice president of student services.
“I am thrilled and honored to be named the next president of this great institution,” said Dr. Fisher. “As a graduate of Kirkwood, and having served in various roles for the college in my professional career, I know firsthand how much of an impact it has on our region. Kirkwood changes lives. I’ve seen it with my own eyes and even experienced it myself. I have a special place in my heart for this college. After being away for a number of years, it feels like I’m coming home and it’s very exciting.”
Dr. Fisher holds a bachelor’s degree in communication studies and an MBA from the University of Iowa. She earned a Ph.D. in educational leadership and policy studies from Iowa State University.