The Iowa Literacy Council was established to make a concentrated effort to coordinate literacy programs statewide, to minimize the duplication of such services, and to provide assistance to those individuals in need of the basic skills.
The Iowa Literacy Council is committed to improving the literacy and basic skills levels of Iowa adults in the context of family, community, and workplace.
Below you will find information about the Iowa Literacy Council’s Vision/Mission/Goals, the Board members, by-laws and our policies and procedures.
Our Value/Mission & Goals
Mission
Every Iowan has the literacy skills to reach their personal and professional goals.
Values
To provide support, advocacy, and resources, along with business and community partners, that enable Iowans to access literacy building opportunities to effectively navigate everyday life.
Goals
– Seek to identify persons in need of literacy training and strive to serve any Iowan with a demonstrable need for these services.
– Coordinate literacy programs in Iowa.
– Serve as a clearinghouse for information on the literacy services available in Iowa.
– Provide greater visibility to literacy programs in Iowa, and encourage Iowans to volunteer their assistance.
– Provide technical support to literacy volunteers and literacy programs
Policies & Procedures
ILC Policy and Procedures Handbook
By-laws
Board Members
Helene Fein
Executive Director
Dr. Helene Fein has had a long career in education including teaching on all levels from preschool to adults. Most of her work has been dedicated to educating newcomers to the U.S. and supporting their transition to a new life and community. Helene’s work experience has included serving as the State Director for Adult Literacy for the Iowa Dept. of Education and the Community Impact Services Director for United Way of Central Iowa. For 22 years, Helene was the Conference Coordinator for the Iowa Culture and Language Conference (ICLC). Helene has graduate degrees from Drake University and Iowa State University; her most recent degree is a PhD in Educational Leadership and Policy. Helene has published a book titled Necessary Conversations About English Language Learners, combining her two career passions – communication and ELL. She has three adult children and five grandchildren, all amazing. Contact Helene
Juan Garcia
ILC President
Juan M. Garcia, originally from Peru, has over 18 years of multicultural education experience. His expertise in student success, outreach, and Spanish language skills have helped over one million students in his K12 and post-secondary career. His leadership positions include ClassWallet (State Director), Amazon corporate (Higher Education team), ACT Center for Equity in Learning, and international student outreach in Canada and Latin America. Mr. Garcia is the recipient of ACT’s Award for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. He graduated from the Harvard Business School, Executive Education program. Juan holds a BS Business Administration degree from Universidad de Lima, Peru, and has completed graduate coursework at Florida State University, the University of Michigan, the University of Pennsylvania, and the University of Notre Dame. Contact Juan
Eric Sundermeyer
Treasurer
Eric Sundermeyer’s is the Associate Director, Adult Education & Literacy at Des Moines Area Community College. He is the former superintendent of schools at the Interstate 35 Community School District and associate superintendent at the Ottumwa community Schools. Eric has a Specialist in Education from Drake University. Contact Eric
Megan Linzy
Megan Linzy works with Eastern Iowa Community Colleges (EICC) in Davenport, Iowa, in the Adult Basic Education and Literacy program at the West Davenport Center, where she graduated in 2013 with her General Education Diploma. Since 2013, Megan has gone on to earn her Associates’ Degree in Education and is enrolled at Bellevue University to earn her Bachelors Degree in Adult Basic Education. Megan also volunteers her time advocating for the needs of Adult Basic Education students as one of Iowa’s Adult Basic Education Ambassadors and a member of the Students as Leaders Taskforce through COABE (Coalition on Adult Basic Education). Contact Megan