DMACC President Robert J. Denson will be retiring in December after 22 years of dedication to the role. He was the first in his family to receive a degree. His tenure has been committed to expanding opportunities in education.
“The goal is to help low-income, high-performing students not come to DMACC, but to stay in DMACC and get finished,” he said.
Being DMACC’s first Iowan president, Denson’s journey began in Homestead, Iowa. He first drove a semi for Kent Feed Mill while studying at Iowa State University.
He said, “[I] went to Iowa State to be a veterinary [sic], organic chemistry had other thoughts. Ended up with a bachelor’s degree in political science with a minor in history and economics.” He then worked for the university as a Dean of Students, later being hired by the University of Florida as a disciplinary officer.
Denson took up the study of law as a graduate student, and once he graduated he took up patent law for the school and personal injury in a practice of his own before landing back in academics.
After his term as president at Northeast Iowa Community College, he took up the role for DMACC. Incorporating his history with truck driving, Denson began to drive a semi truck for these schools in parades. Outreach in his community is a source of satisfaction for him, which he described as “the calling.”
James Stick, the Executive Academic Dean of Design, Media & the Arts as well as the Iowa Culinary Institute said, “There is no easy way to describe anyone’s personality, but suffice it to say, the President Rob Denson possesses a wide range of knowledge and professional experience, a great sense of humor, a natural ability to speak effectively to anyone or group, regardless of its size, a caring attitude for others, especially for those less fortunate than most of us, and a work ethic beyond compare. And he is the best cheerleader DMACC has ever had.“
Denson’s contributions to the school are not limited to its image. He has been hard at work to implement the Academic Opportunity Scholarship. It was founded by his mother, and since her passing, Denson has helped realize her vision. The scholarship is open to all students regardless of ZIP code or background. On WHO 13’s “Hello Iowa” Denson said, “While there are many uncertainties in life, one sure thing is the value of an education and what it can do for an individual. This scholarship initiative is an investment in our future.”
To students with aspirations or applicants to his position, Denson leaves the community with the following advice: “The thing that I think helped me be successful here, if anybody thinks I have been, is that I always show up. There’s a phrase I use; you must be present to win.”
Denson retired with a legacy of public service.
