At age 18 Bill worked in a beef packing plant.  Bill then landed a position with an agricultural chemical company manufacturing anhydrous ammonia as well as liquid fertilizers. This led to a fifteen-year career in the chemical industry, including another fertilizer plant and a furfural plant (furfural = an organic solvent made from agricultural waste products). It was here that Bill was selected for an apprenticeship in the skilled trades.  As an instrument and electrical technician, Bill began attending Metropolitan Community College (MCC). Working full time and attending college, Bill rose from apprentice to journeyman and eventually into the role of Trainer, training contractors and new employees on plant safety requirements and process operations. Bill excelled in the college classroom and was hired by MCC to teach Industrial Maintenance. After 10 years of teaching, Bill was offered the position of Dean, contingent upon completing a master’s degree. Having just completed his bachelor’s degree, Bill worried about adequate academic preparation, time away from family and the cost of earning a master’s.  Forging ahead, he completed a master’s in education from Iowa State University, in18 months. Bill served as Dean for sixteen programs, implemented several new programs and added accountability measures for all programs, as well as industry recognized  credentials, and licensures for students. After 10 years in the dean role, Bill was promoted to Associate Vice President and retired as Vice President. Among his many other achievements at MCC, Bill helped launch the Millard High School/MCC Early College Program, allowing well prepared students in the Millard School District a chance to complete fully transferable associate’s degree while still in high school. Having started his own education at community college and finding himself academically well prepared to earn a master’s degree, Bill became a lifelong advocate for community college education, a role he has not abandoned even in retirement.