HIAWATHA, IOWA (August 1, 2016) — The Iowa College Access Network (ICAN), a statewide nonprofit organization dedicated to increasing career and college readiness among Iowans, recently welcomed new board members and elected officers for the 2016-17 year.

John Davis, a retired school counselor from Southwest Iowa, was elected ICAN board chair for a second term. “I am excited, and honored, to continue in the position as Chair of the Iowa College Access Network Board of Directors. As a high school counselor, I have worked with ICAN since their inception in 1998 and have seen the organization develop into an irreplaceable resource for families and school counseling offices all across the state.  And now, with their 9 regional offices housed in area colleges throughout Iowa, they are becoming an equally priceless resource to our higher education community,” said Davis. Davis currently provides part-time services at Essex and South page High Schools. Davis also serves as the President of the Iowa Association for College Admissions Counselors (Iowa ACAC) and has served on the ICAN board since 2011.

Additional officers elected include Steve McCullough as treasurer and Tracie Pavon as secretary. McCullough is President and CEO of Iowa Student Loan, and has served on the ICAN board since 2009. Pavon is the Assistant Vice President for Enrollment Management at Simpson College in Indianola, and has served on the ICAN board since 2014.

Joining the ICAN board this year are Brent Gage, the Associate Vice President for Enrollment Management at the University of Iowa in Iowa City, and Mary Bontrager, the Executive Vice President of Workforce Development and Education for the Greater Des Moines Partnership in Des Moines.

The ICAN board of directors is comprised of 11 members with experiences in education, nonprofits, and business, government, and diversity relations. The board serves as a guide for the ICAN organization, setting policy and weighing in on strategic planning and organizational structure. Each director is nominated by current ICAN board members and serves a three-year term.

“One of the major challenges facing our schools today as they assist students and parents in their post-high school training is the value of their post-secondary education compared to the cost, and the relevance of their preparation to the demands of the job market,” said Davis. “ICAN recognizes this challenge and is committed to providing the most up-to-date resources to our students, families and school counseling offices.”

ICAN is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) organization that empowers Iowans to achieve their education and career goals. To learn more visit www.ICANsucceed.org.

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About ICAN

The Iowa College Access Network is a nonprofit, educational organization. ICAN is the College Access Network for Iowa, and a member of the National College Access Network (NCAN). ICAN has 9 locations in Ankeny, Cedar Rapids/Hiawatha, Coralville, Council Bluffs, Davenport, Des Moines, Orange City, Sioux City and Waterloo, which provide information and support to students and their families as they plan their postsecondary education and apply for financial aid. All ICAN programs and services are provided without charge. For more information about ICAN, call (877) 272-4692 or visit www.ICANsucceed.org

John Davis, Board Chair

Steve McCullough, Board Treasurer

Tracie Pavon, Board Secretary

Brent Gage, University of Iowa

Mary Bontrager, Greater Des Moines Partnership