IOWA STATE EDUCATION ASSOCIATION
For release: Thursday, Nov. 8, 2007
Contact: Lana Oppenheim Schlapkohl, 515-471-8026

Iowa community college faculty salary ranking among nation's lowest

Iowa's average community college salary continues its downward spiral in state-by-state rankings. According to data released by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), the average salary for faculty at the two-year schools has dropped two notches -- from 30th to 32nd in the nation.

The latest IPEDS Salary Survey data reveals that Iowa's faculty members earned, on average,  $44,973 in 2005-06, the most recent year for which figures are available. That's $10,407 below the national average and $3,686 below the national median. In 1994, Iowa's community college faculty salary ranked 24th in the nation. (See attached document for complete rankings.)

What's more, our faculty salaries lag far behind several neighboring states including Wisconsin at $64,609; Illinois at $60,270; Minnesota at $57,686; and Missouri at $49,650. And, Iowa faculty are losing economic ground. Since 1994, salaries have actually decreased by $1,700 -- or 4.9 percent -- when inflation is factored in.

"It's embarrassing to be from a state that says it values education but where community college faculty salaries rank in the bottom third in the nation," Iowa State Education Association (ISEA) President Linda Nelson said.

"Our 15 community colleges are key players in creating the well-educated work force Iowa needs to grow and thrive in the new economy," Nelson continued. "But you can't have a quality community college system without quality faculty members. Right now our instructors can cross the Mississippi River and earn up to $20,000 more a year."

In addition, Iowa community college faculty members earn $25,728 less than faculty at four-year institutions -- the third highest disparity in the nation.

The 2007 Iowa Legislature took an important first step toward reversing the trend when it earmarked $2 million -- or about $1,000 per instructor -- to raise faculty salaries. But much more needs to be done. According to ISEA Research estimates, it will take $8 million to bring faculty salaries to 25th in the nation and $24.1 million to reach the national average. On top of that, the ISEA estimates it will take another $1 million to provide professional development opportunities so that community college faculty can remain on the cutting edge.

"The Legislature has stepped up to the plate to make our K-12 teacher salaries competitive. Now it's time to do the same for our dedicated and hard-working community college instructors," Nelson said.

More than 100 faculty members are expected to gather at the Des Moines Area Community College in Ankeny tomorrow (November 9) to begin mapping lobbying strategies while sharpening their professional skills at the annual ISEA-sponsored higher education conference. Among the guest speakers scheduled to attend is Dr. Jill Biden, an English professor at the Delaware Technical and Community College. She will deliver the luncheon address. All sessions will be held in Building 7 at the Ankeny campus.

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The ISEA is a professional organization made up of more than 32,000 educators who are dedicated to supporting and protecting a quality public education for all Iowa students. Great Education . . . It's an Iowa Basic!