Des Moines Area Community College President Rob Denson has one favorite part of his job that hasn’t wavered in more than 20 years: graduation day.
Although he does not know all of the more than 20,000 students enrolled in classes this year, Denson has met and worked with many of them during his tenure. He said seeing them walk across the stage and celebrate their accomplishments is the best reward he could ask for. He attends every graduation ceremony DMACC holds, no matter what campus it is on.
“It’s all about graduation,” Denson said. “It helps people improve their lives.”
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Denson officially became DMACC’s longest-serving president in early December, breaking the record set by former President Joseph Burgin, who held the position from September 1, 1981, to October 1, 2001. Denson is only the fourth president of the community college. The number is surprisingly small, he said, as the institution has been welcoming students for nearly 60 years.
Another title Denson cherishes is his distinction as the only Iowa-born president to hold that office. Denson, who grew up near Homestead, said he had a diverse educational and career path before joining DMACC.
Denson first enrolled at Iowa State University with dreams of becoming a veterinarian, before an organic chemistry class woke him up again, and he ended up studying political science. He worked at the university before assuming the position of assistant dean at Florida State University. From there, he earned a law degree, worked for a firm before opening his own firm and practicing there for 15 years.
After retiring from law, Denson went to work at Santa Fe Community College, then Northeast Iowa Community College brought him back home to Iowa before coming to DMACC in November 2003.
“I tell everyone, the first 19-and-a-half years of my life just flew by,” Denson said. “Then, once I knew that date had come, everything seemed to slow down.”
Although time may seem slower, Denson’s busy schedule hasn’t gotten any easier. The president said he starts work by 5 a.m. to catch up on news and other duties before being ready for meetings that can start as early as 7:30 a.m. Late evenings and weekend work are also common.
Denson’s way of doing business has changed along with the advent of technology and the expansion of the community college. Denson said time previously spent driving to meetings and events is now being used for virtual meetings, and the wealth of data now available has made his and others’ jobs easier and more difficult.
“We’re getting much better data, and we’ve invested in more software systems,” Denson said. “It’s been helpful, it makes the job easier. But with that said, it also creates more work, because the more data you have, the more you need to do with the data… So I don’t think my stress level has changed over the course of The past twenty years.
DMACC has expanded to include six campuses and six learning centers spread throughout central Iowa, doubling its student population. Denson said enrollment continues to rise, with the college seeing enrollment this fall rise 5% compared to 2019, overcoming a decline caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
While some of the challenges facing community colleges and the higher education industry have changed, Denson said the biggest challenge remains ensuring enrollment is high enough to meet the needs of the community. The college works to attract students by providing education and training opportunities for high school students, workers and others, either online or in person.
The college is also working to rebrand and master plan the facilities to attract and accommodate the changing student population.
More than half of the college’s budget comes from tuition, while state support, property taxes and partnerships make up the rest, Denson said.
“I think in the end it’s always going to be about scoring, because that’s literally our bread and butter,” Denson said.
One area that could help DMACC enrollment numbers is the fact that more people are concerned about student debt than ever before, Denson said. With rising tuition and backlash to efforts at the federal level to forgive student loan debt, he said it’s important for institutions like DMACC to offer quality education at an affordable price in order to stay competitive with public and private colleges looking to offer scholarships. And other assistance to try to attract more students.
After recently celebrating his 76th birthday, Denson said he has no plans to slow down just yet. He wants to see the Facilities Master Plan across the finish line in at least two years, but has not set a final date.
With a grandmother who worked until she was 80, a 98-year-old mother who still shovels her driveway, and an incredibly supportive wife, Denson said he hopes to continue doing everything he can to give DMACC students the best experiences to help them succeed.
“I love this job. I love it, I love it, I love it,” Denson said. “When I wake up in the morning, I can’t wait to get here… I’m lucky in so many ways.”
The Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC) community is celebrating a momentous occasion as President Rob Denson officially becomes the college’s longest-serving president in its history. With his unwavering dedication, leadership, and commitment to the success of students and the college as a whole, President Denson has made a lasting impact on the DMACC community and its future. As he marks this incredible milestone, the college and its supporters are eager to honor and recognize President Denson’s many contributions and achievements during his tenure.