Iowa Western Community College

Class Orientation: Thursday, January 29, 2026 1:30 pm – 3:30 pm – Looft Hall, Room 022
Hands-On Salon: Starting Tuesday, February 3, 2026  until Thursday, April 30, 2026, every Tu/Wed/Th 9:00 am – 3:30 pm – Dodge Hall, Room 1205
The Professional Dog Grooming certificate equips students with the essential skills for a successful career in the grooming industry. The completion of this course prepares you for the eligibility to sit for the AKC-PGC Exam and earn your industry credential. This course will involve numerous Zoom sessions and extensive self-paced learning to cover all the necessary material to ensure thorough understanding and preparation before working hands-on in the grooming salon.

*Students are required to wear closed-toe shoes. 

February 15, 2026, from 8:00am-2:00pm in Looft Hall
This continuing education course is designed for licensed cosmetologists looking to refine their skills, stay updated on industry trends, and meet licensure renewal requirements. Participants will explore advanced techniques, products innovations, and business strategies to elevate their professional practice while fostering creativity and client satisfaction. This course will be 2 hours of Iowa Law and 4 hours of continuing education.
 

These classes meet every Tuesday morning from 9:00 am – 11:00 am: March 24, 2026, thru May 5, 2026 Looft Hall – Room #023.
This is a comprehensive and structured workshop series that provides participants with the practical skills they need to create a successful marketing foundation. This course is led by Sue Pitts, an experienced business advisor and founder of Just Sue Creative, specializing in digital marketing, business strategy, and AI-driven innovation. Each workshop builds on core marketing competencies, moving from strategic planning and branding to digital tactics like SEO, social media, email marketing, and advertising. The series consists of seven classes, each designed to be impactful on its own, but registering for the entire series offers a discounted rate and ensures a cohesive learning experience that ties all the components together.

Class is Tuesday, March 24, 2026, 9:00 am – 11:00 am – Council Bluffs Campus – Looft Hall Room #023.
This class is 1 of 7 in “Your Marketing Playbook Series”. Developing Your Marketing Plan, Strategy, and Calendar.
Goal: Establish a foundational marketing plan by guiding participants through essential marketing concepts, helping them
define their audience and brand message, set goals, and build a structured marketing calendar for effective execution. This course is led by Sue Pitts, an experienced business advisor and founder of Just Sue Creative, specializing in digital marketing, business strategy, and AI-driven innovation.

Class is Tuesday, March 31, 2026, 9:00 am – 11:00 am – Council Bluffs Campus – Looft Hall Room #023.
This class is 2 of 7 in “Your Marketing Playbook Series”. Equip participants with the skills to build a consistent brand identity
and develop content that resonates with their target audience across various formats. By the end, participants will have a
brand guide to ensure long-term consistency and a content plan ready for implementation. This course is led by Sue Pitts, an experienced business advisor and founder of Just Sue Creative, specializing in digital marketing, business strategy, and AI-driven innovation.

Class is Tuesday, April 7, 2026, 9:00 am – 11:00 am – Council Bluffs Campus – Looft Hall Room #023.
This class is 3 of 7 in “Your Marketing Playbook Series”. Equip participants with the knowledge and tools to effectively
optimize their websites for search engines, with a focus on local SEO strategies to attract and engage nearby customers. This course is led by Sue Pitts, an experienced business advisor and founder of Just Sue Creative, specializing in digital marketing, business strategy, and AI-driven innovation.

Class is Tuesday, April 14, 2026, 9:00 am – 11:00 am – Council Bluffs Campus – Looft Hall Room #023.
This class is 4 of 7 in “Your Marketing Playbook Series”. Enable participants to choose the right social media platforms for
their business, create engaging content tailored to each platform, and develop a strategic social media calendar to reach and
engage their target audience effectively. This course is led by Sue Pitts, an experienced business advisor and founder of Just Sue Creative, specializing in digital marketing, business strategy, and AI-driven innovation.
 

Class is Tuesday, April 21, 2026, 9:00 am – 11:00 am – Council Bluffs Campus – Looft Hall Room #023.
This class is 5 of 7 in “Your Marketing Playbook Series”. Enable participants to use data insights and Al tools to make
informed decisions and improve marketing efforts. This course is led by Sue Pitts, an experienced business advisor and founder of Just Sue Creative, specializing in digital marketing, business strategy, and AI-driven innovation.

Class is Tuesday, April 28, 2026, 9:00 am – 11:00 am – Council Bluffs Campus – Looft Hall Room #023.
This class is 6 of 7 in “Your Marketing Playbook Series”. Teaches participants how to effectively use email marketing and
CRM tools to build and nurture lasting customer relationships, boost retention, and improve engagement through targeted
email campaigns. This course is led by Sue Pitts, an experienced business advisor and founder of Just Sue Creative, specializing in digital marketing, business strategy, and AI-driven innovation.

Class is Tuesday, May 5, 2026, 9:00 am – 11:00 am – Council Bluffs Campus – Looft Hall Room #023.
This class is 7 of 7 in “Your Marketing Playbook Series”. Equip participants with practical skills to set up affordable, targeted ad campaigns on Google, Facebook, and Instagram. By the end of the workshop, participants will understand how to drive traffic, generate leads, and optimize their ad performance for better results.

Class Orientation: Thursday, May 28, 2026 1:30 pm – 3:30 pm – Looft Hall, Room 022
Hands-On Salon: Starting Tuesday, June 2, 2026  until Thursday, August 27, 2026, every Tu/Wed/Th 9:00 am – 3:30 pm – Dodge Hall, Room 1205
The Professional Dog Grooming certificate equips students with the essential skills for a successful career in the grooming industry. The completion of this course prepares you for the eligibility to sit for the AKC-PGC Exam and earn your industry credential. This course will involve numerous Zoom sessions and extensive self-paced learning to cover all the necessary material to ensure thorough understanding and preparation before working hands-on in the grooming salon.

*Students are required to wear closed-toe shoes. 

Class Orientation: Thursday, September 10, 2026 1:30 pm – 3:30 pm – Looft Hall, Room 022
Hands-On Salon: Starting Tuesday, September 15, 2026  until Thursday, December 10, 2026, every Tu/Wed/Th 9:00 am – 3:30 pm – Dodge Hall, Room 1205
The Professional Dog Grooming certificate equips students with the essential skills for a successful career in the grooming industry. The completion of this course prepares you for the eligibility to sit for the AKC-PGC Exam and earn your industry credential. This course will involve numerous Zoom sessions and extensive self-paced learning to cover all the necessary material to ensure thorough understanding and preparation before working hands-on in the grooming salon.