News

MARSHALLTOWN – In honor of International Women’s Day Marshalltown Community College will be hosting a panel discussion featuring community leaders on Thursday, March 5 on the MCC campus.

Sponsored by the MCC Community Engagement committee, the panel will feature five speakers. Panelists include:

• Melisa Fonseca, Founder & Broker/Owner, Alta Vista Real Estate | Fourth Ward Councilwoman. Fonseca is the founder and broker/owner of Alta Vista Real Estate ~ Centro de Bienes Raíces, a bilingual brokerage serving Marshalltown and the surrounding areas. A Marshalltown native, Fonseca holds a Bachelor of Arts in Real Estate and Financial Management from the University of Northern Iowa and is a graduate of MCC’s bridge program. In addition to her professional work, she serves as the Fourth Ward Councilwoman, making history as the first Latina elected to the Marshalltown City Council. She is deeply involved in legislative and housing committees at the state and local levels, balancing her roles as a business owner, elected official, and mother to drive inclusive economic growth.
• Sydney Grewell, MS, BS, Marshall County Public Health Director. Grewell serves as the Marshall County Public Health Director, where she leads community-centered initiatives to improve the quality of life for all residents. Born and raised in Marshalltown, Grewell’s educational journey began at MCC before she earned a bachelor’s in biology and a master’s in biomedical sciences from Iowa State University. Her commitment to her hometown extends beyond public health; she serves on the boards of the 13th Street District and the Assistance League of Marshalltown, teaches dance at The Dance Konnection, and has returned to MCC as an adjunct instructor to mentor the next generation of students.
• Maria Gonzalez, Community Organizer, Iowa Migrant Movement for Justice. Gonzalez is a Community Organizer with the Iowa Migrant Movement for Justice (Iowa MMJ) and a co-organizer with Immigrant Allies of Marshalltown. Driven by a commitment to dignity, safety, and belonging, Maria works alongside immigrant and working-class families to build power through inclusion, advocacy, and direct action. She focuses on centering the voices of those most impacted by social issues, believing that real change is rooted in trust and shared struggle. In addition to her advocacy work, Maria is a dedicated mother of two and a proud supporter of immigrant and refugee rights across the state.
• Maria Acosta, Community Organizer, Iowa Migrant Movement for Justice. Originally from Mexico, Acosta is a veteran Community Organizer with over two decades of experience defending immigrant rights as human rights. Before joining Iowa MMJ, she spent 14 years advocating for survivors of domestic abuse, sexual assault, and human trafficking, assisting over 2,500 individuals with legal advocacy and counseling. An ordained minister who served as a Senior Pastor in Des Moines for six years, Acosta also developed a support group curriculum for survivors that remains in use today. Her work continues to bridge the gap between legal advocacy and community empowerment.
• Tiffany Beadle, MPACT Advocate. Beadle is an MPACT Advocate and a lifelong resident of the Marshalltown area. With a background in Criminal Justice from Iowa Central Community College, Beadle has built a career centered on community service, having worked at a residential facility for juveniles, the Marshall County Sheriff’s Office, and as a caseworker at CIRSI. Now in her second year with YSS/MPACT, she brings a high-energy, communicative approach to her advocacy work. Outside of her professional life, Tiffany lives in Haverhill with her husband, son, and four “fur babies,” and is a firm believer that pineapple belongs on pizza.

The panel is open to the public and no registration is needed. The event will be held 11:30 am to 1 pm in rooms 612 and 614. A song created for this special day and created by the MCC Broadcasting and Digital Media students will be shared during the event as well.

For more information or any questions contact Charlene Summers at Charlene.Summers@iavalley.edu.