This year, Iowa celebrates its 50th anniversary for community colleges.

State Senator Jerry Behn applauds the efforts and opportunities that the state’s 15 community colleges give to both “traditional” and “nontraditional” students.

“For those that just go the two years and enter the job market, it still gives them marketable skills. Even if your goal is to get a four-year degree, going the first couple of years at a junior college, can still help you sort it out and still help you decide what you want to do and it’s just a great avenue.”

Behn’s family including his wife, youngest son and oldest daughter all attended Des Moines Area Community College campus in Boone.

He says more than 93,000 people are enrolled in Iowa’s community colleges and the three largest career choices are health science, manufacturing and business management.