Two SWCC employees achieve milestone years of service

During the Southwestern Community College (SWCC) all-staff in-service, on Friday, Jan. 9, 2026, 18 SWCC employees were honored for a combined 355 years of service to the college. Two of the honored employees, Ann Coulter and Kysa Gordon, combine for 85 years of service themselves!

Gordon of Lenox, who began working at the college in August 1985, was honored for 40 years of service to Southwestern. She started at SWCC in the student services department as a financial aid secretary/veterans representative, and in June 1986, she moved to a secretarial position in the adult and continuing education department.

In September 1987, Gordon returned to her position in student services. It was July 2002, when Gordon became the assistant to the financial aid director. She has served in the following roles in financial aid since that time: financial aid specialist, July 2011-July 2015; assistant director of financial aid, July 2015-July 2016; and financial aid awards coordinator, July 2016-present.

Gordon, a SWCC graduate, earned a diploma in office occupations/secretarial in July 1985.

Ann Coulter, director of the Learning Resource Center (LRC) at Southwestern Community College (SWCC), was honored for 45 years of service, a record for the institution. Coulter was hired at the college in 1980 as a media assistant and, in 1989, she was promoted to media associate. In July 1998, she assumed the role of LRC director and has served in this role since.

On Dec. 3, 2025, Coulter received the Outstanding Staff Award for her dedication and impact, during the Iowa Community College Convention and Trade Show, at the Des Moines Marriott in downtown Des Moines.

In addition to her position in the LRC, Coulter has taught courses for the college including internet, Windows 98, and The College Experience. Coulter played a lead role in the creation of SWCC's website, one of the first community college websites in the state, and served as web publisher for the college as well. She continues to serve as a member of the web team today.

Coulter earned an Associate of Arts degree from SWCC; a Bachelor of Arts degree from Buena Vista University; and a Master of Library Science degree from Emporia State University.

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