Kirkwood Community College’s next president, Dr. Kristie Fisher, officially began her term Monday, Oct. 30. She will be just the sixth president in college history and the second female to assume the role.
A graduate of Kirkwood, Fisher was named as the next leader of the institution at a press conference in May following a nationwide search. She returns to her alma mater after serving as president of Iowa Valley Community College, a role she held since 2019. When Fisher begins her presidency, it will be her third stint at Kirkwood. From 1995 to 2000, she served as the annual giving director for the college’s foundation. Following a four-year period as the director of community relations with College Community School District in Cedar Rapids, she came back to Kirkwood in 2004 to serve as the director of special projects and assistant to the president under Mick Starcevich’s leadership. In 2006, Fisher was named Kirkwood’s vice president of student services, a position she held until 2014. She then became the Senior Director/Assistant Vice President of National Associations and Market Engagement for ACT, Inc. in Iowa City, where she stayed until being named president of Iowa Valley.
Fisher holds a PhD in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies from Iowa State University. In addition, she also earned both an MBA and a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies from the University of Iowa. She started her college academic career at Kirkwood, graduating with an Associate of Arts degree.
Fisher succeeded  Kirkwood President Lori Sundberg.