Iowa Lakes has a new face to students around campus, but a familiar face to staff this year. Iowa Lakes new dean of students, Scott Stokes, for the second time around. Stokes was the dean of students for the Estherville campus from 2012-2015. Stokes has now returned to Estherville as a dean with bigger shoes to fill.
Stokes is a previous Laker himself. He went to Iowa Lakes to earn an associate degree and then continues to transfer on to Southwest Minnesota State University. He then came back to Iowa Lakes in 2003. Stokes first worked in housing with athletics and intramurals, then from 2005-2011, he worked in the registrar’s office. Then became dean of the Estherville campus in 2012 and then moved to the administration office. Stokes then moved to the high school for a period of time.
“One of the things, when I was going to school, was that I always saw myself teaching math and being a coach. I had the opportunity to go back to K-12 as an athletic director and an assistant principal. Then this position opened up this spring and I’ve always loved working at Iowa Lakes and higher education. Higher education was more of my calling,” said Stokes, “I’m really glad to be back out on the Estherville campus and being with faculty and interacting with students.”
As the Dean of Students Stokes is in a position that requires being fully aware of what is going on, in and around the campus. Last year Estherville has two rapes on campus that were reported in the crime report sheet for the campus. The campus also had 12 liquor law violations that did not result in arrests. This means that the campus has had issues that have resulted in a change on the campus such as changing the locks on campus to key card scanner and trying to keep students as safe as possible. The Dean also had to go through a longer process then most employee’s do at Iowa Lakes
The process for becoming a dean at Iowa Lakes was quite long. The school must advertise and then screen applicants. Then a group must narrow the pool of applicants down and schedule interviews. From start to finish this process can take about a month or longer. Valerie Newhouse, president of Iowa Lakes, was one of the head people involved with conducting interviews and choosing Stokes.
“Having worked with Scott for a number of years, I know he has excelled in every role he has undertaken at Iowa Lakes. Scott is a product of Iowa Lakes having served first as a student-athlete before completing his bachelor’s and master’s degrees. He returned to Iowa Lakes as coordinator of housing and assistant men’s basketball coach, then registrar, before assuming the role of Executive Dean of the Estherville campus. Following his tenure as dean, he was the vice president of Iowa Lakes,” said Newhouse, “He has previously held this position, so I know he knows what it entails, and I have confidence in his leadership skills, time management, and work ethic. He is a valued problem solver.”
Stokes has taken on a position that involves him working with his cabinet-level colleagues to identify goals that help the college and their mission. Then he will bring those goals back to the Estherville campus to further promote the college’s mission, vision, and goals. Newhouse says that she, “foresees a positive campus, energized faculty, quality services for students and a comprehensive spirit of cooperation.”
Scott Stokes is continuing to further communicate with faculty and staff. As students get acquainted into their new classrooms you will see Stokes around campus. Students can introduce themselves to the dean and he would love to see new faces and meet the students around the campus. Stokes said, “I love to hear stories about where people come from and how they ended up here. If you have a story feel free to write me an email or stop in and see me some time.”
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