In March, Dr. Michael Volk was announced as the new Superintendent for the Winfield-Mt. Union and Columbus Community School Districts. Volk will succeed Jeff Maeder, who plans to resign at the conclusion of the school year.

Growing up in Cascade, Dr. Volk is familiar with eastern Iowa. He finished his undergrad at the University of Dubuque, studying English, philosophy, and psychology. His teaching career began in Arizona, where he received his Masters in Education and Doctorate from Arizona State University. Volk later returned to Iowa, where he has served as the Principal for the St. Patrick School in Anamosa for the last four years.

Volk has a passion for rural education, even writing his dissertation on the subject. When asked about his vision for the two separate school districts, Volk tells KCII, “At the end of the day, I really want to plan to advocate for the needs of all students while also celebrating diversity in their communities and the pride they share for their local communities”

Volk is looking forward to getting involved in the Winfield and Columbus communities, acknowledging that the transition will be a group effort. “First and foremost, is building positive relationships throughout. Everybody needs to be there for the right reasons, everybody needs to build positive relationships, everyone needs to have a growth mindset.”

Dr. Michael Volk will begin serving as the Superintendent of the Winfield-Mt. Union and Columbus Community School Districts on July 1.