The Iowa College Foundation (ICF) has partnered with Handshake to strengthen connections between Iowa employers and students and graduates from the state’s independent colleges and universities. The strategic partnership brings Handshake’s national workforce network and insights together with ICF’s statewide reach to support Iowa’s future workforce.
The partnership builds on work already happening across ICF member institutions. Eighteen of ICF’s 21 member colleges and universities currently use Handshake to connect students with internships, jobs, and employers. Rather than creating a separate career platform, ICF will help amplify these existing efforts and add statewide value through employer engagement, workforce insights, and opportunities for collaboration.
“Our member institutions are already preparing talented graduates and building strong relationships with employers across Iowa. This partnership with Handshake allows the Iowa College Foundation to amplify those efforts by providing statewide workforce and internships insights while expanding opportunities for collaboration,” said Tara K. Connolly, President of the Iowa College Foundation. “Together, we’re strengthening the connection between independent higher education and the employers driving Iowa’s future.”
Bringing National Workforce Insights to Iowa
Handshake connects more than 20 million knowledge workers, more than 1,600 educational institutions, and more than one million employers. Through the partnership, ICF will gain access to workforce data and labor market insights that can help identify employer demand, internship trends, talent retention, and emerging workforce needs.
ICF will use these insights to inform employer outreach, advocacy efforts, and future initiatives aimed at strengthening Iowa’s talent pipeline and demonstrating the important role independent higher education plays in Iowa’s workforce and economy.
“We are excited to partner with the Iowa College Foundation as it brings together higher education and employers across the state. By combining Handshake’s national network with ICF’s statewide leadership, we can help strengthen connections between students, institutions, and Iowa employers,” said Kevin Snyder, Senior Manager of EDU Partnerships.
Creating Connections Across Iowa
For employers, the partnership provides another avenue to better understand and engage the talent graduating from Iowa’s independent colleges and universities. For ICF member institutions, it provides an additional statewide resource that complements the work of campus career services while helping tell the broader story of independent higher education’s impact on Iowa.
Ready to connect with the next generation of Iowa talent? Visit Handshake to get started.
