DES MOINES, IOWA (August 11, 2026) — The Iowa College Foundation (ICF) has announced a strategic partnership with Handshake, the nation's leading early-career network, marking a significant step in ICF's efforts to strengthen connections between Iowa's independent colleges and universities, employers, and the state's future workforce.
The partnership reflects ICF's evolving role as a statewide convener that brings together higher education, philanthropy, and the business community to address Iowa's workforce needs. By leveraging Handshake's national platform and workforce intelligence, ICF will provide member institutions, employers, and community partners with broader insights into talent trends while helping identify new opportunities for collaboration across the state.
Rather than creating a new career platform, ICF intentionally sought a partnership that complements the outstanding work already taking place on its campuses. Eighteen of ICF's 21 member institutions already use Handshake to connect students and employers. Through this collaboration, ICF will focus on adding statewide value by strengthening employer engagement, sharing workforce insights, and supporting initiatives that benefit member institutions collectively.
"Our member institutions are already preparing talented graduates and building strong relationships with employers across Iowa. This partnership with Handshake allows the Iowa College Foundation to amplify those efforts by providing statewide workforce insights and expanding opportunities for collaboration," said Tara K Connolly, President of the Iowa College Foundation.
"Together, we're strengthening the connection between independent higher education and the employers driving Iowa's future."
As the largest career network for early talent, Handshake connects tens of millions of job-seekers and employers across over 1,600 higher-education institutions nationwide, offering the scale, data, and access needed to power the future workforce at the state and national level. Through this partnership, ICF will gain access to workforce data and labor market insights that will help ICF better understand employer demand, internship trends, talent retention, and emerging workforce needs.
These insights will inform ICF's employer outreach, advocacy efforts, and future initiatives designed to strengthen Iowa's talent pipeline while reinforcing the value of independent higher education.
“We are excited to partner with the Iowa College Foundation as it brings together higher education and employers across the state. By combining Handshake's national network with ICF's statewide leadership, we can help strengthen connections between students, institutions, and Iowa employers," said Kevin Snyder, Senior Manager of EDU Partnerships.
For Iowa employers, the partnership creates another avenue to better understand and engage the talent graduating from Iowa's independent colleges and universities. For ICF member institutions, it represents an additional statewide resource that complements existing campus career services while helping tell the broader story of the impact independent higher education has on Iowa's economy.
About Handshake
Handshake is the career network for the AI economy. As the only three-sided job marketplace connecting 20+ million knowledge workers, 1,600+ educational institutions, and 1+ million employers, Handshake powers career discovery, hiring, and upskilling — from first internships to full-time roles and beyond.
About Iowa College Foundation
Founded in 1952, the Iowa College Foundation is a statewide non-profit organization representing 21 independent colleges and universities in Iowa. Through philanthropy and strategic partnerships, ICF increases access to higher education, removes financial barriers for students, and champions the value of Iowa's independent institutions in building a stronger workforce and a stronger Iowa.
For more information: Visit www.iowacollegefoundation.org or contact Iowa College Foundation at info@iowacollegefoundation.org. Schools and employers can learn more about Handshake at www.joinhandshake.com.
