Art & Life

Trunk-or-treat for children of Kirkwood’s adult learners

Kirkwood Community College has held a Trunk-or-Treat event every year since 2017 and this Halloween is no different. The college is hosting the event on Sunday, Oct. 29, from 4:30-6 p.m. on the top tier of the Iowa Hall parking lot. This event is a chance for Kirkwood’s adult students to bring and enjoy some time with their kids on campus. Costumes are encouraged, but not required. If this spooky event brings dreary weather, Trunk or Treat will be inside Iowa Hall.

This event is made possible by a committee of members of student services and academic affairs. The committee strives to plan events with a focus on diversity or representing groups of unrepresented students. Shelley Milks, student assistance, is on the committee and has been a big part of this event since it started.

“The focus is to have an event for our adult learners who have families. The goal is to provide them with this opportunity to show off their school.” she said. “Student groups, departments, as well as faculty and staff bring their cars to that first tier of Iowa Hall where Student Life provides candy for them to hand out. We encourage costumes for both students and staff.”

Following the event, students and their families are invited to a Halloween themed dinner. Because of this, organizers require students to RSVP if attending by Oct. 23. Students can RSVP by calling 319-398-5540 or going to www.kirkwood.edu/halloween. This event usually gets around 40-50 students plus a wide variety of family members. Milks shares insight on why this event is a special part of Kirkwood.

“We know that these students might be struggling,” she said, “so we hope that this is a fun way they can celebrate Halloween as well as give them a meal that they didn’t have to prepare and are able to enjoy with their kids and be able to show off the school. There’s a lot of pride in that and I think that’s the cool part, students with families bringing them and showing up.

This is an opportunity to recognize and engage adult learners who we know sacrifice a lot to be students at Kirkwood. The range of students is so broad here so we try to recognize and have opportunities for all students, this is something I’m proud of because it focuses on the population.”

Students can RSVP until Oct. 23 for this yearly tradition. This event is a fun way for students and families to spend time together while participating in Halloween festivities.

Categories: Art & Life