friday takeout

Conversation Corner: All College Day Information

On April 18 colleagues will gather together for All College Day at Upper Iowa University. This day is an opportunity to meet colleagues from other service locations, to focus on our values and to dive into topics that help us grow as individuals and as an NICC community. The major theme of the day is "generosity from us and for us." We are excited to have two compelling speakers, who you first read about in the Visions e-newsletter that came out on Monday. Chad J. Willett will engage us in a presentation about the mindsets in our daily lives that shut us down, or function as obstacles. Dr. Loren Toussaint will share his years of research on the importance of forgiveness. In addition, you'll hear an inspiring presentation about the spring break service project trip to Nashville, Tenn., and celebrate the recipient of this year's Innovation Award, presented by the College Senate.

Please plan on arriving at Upper Iowa University between 8:15 - 8:55 a.m. for registration and continental breakfast. The program will start promptly at 8:55 a.m. You can view the program schedule here, and copies will be available on each table at the venue. You are encouraged to wear your Northeast Iowa Community College attire!

Transportation Information:

The Peosta bus will load at 6:30 a.m., and depart at 6:45 a.m.

The Calmar bus will load at 7:30 a.m., and depart at 7:45 a.m.

Call Teresa Kurash if your transportation plans change!

Parking options are available here. There is a lactation room available. We look forward to spending the day with you!

Board of Trustees News

The date of the April board meeting has changed and will be held on April 23 beginning at 3 p.m. in the Calmar Campus Administration Building boardroom. The agenda and packet will be available on Tuesday, April 16.

New Study Examines Characteristics and Demographics of "Completers" vs. "Leavers"

Last week the Iowa Department of Education published a new report, “Iowa Community College Completers and Leavers.” The report provides insights into the impact of varying levels of education on earnings, as well as a look at the differences between students who graduate compared to those who leave or stop out. The report shares continuing education, median wages and demographic information for non-high school students enrolled in an Iowa community college during the academic year 2015-16 who either received a credential in that year (completers) or who did not complete a credential and were not enrolled in the following academic year 2016-17 (leavers). The greatest demographic difference between the two groups was found in the percent of racial/ethnic minorities represented; (23 percent of leavers compared to 16 percent among completers). A higher percentage of completers vs. leavers were found to be economically disadvantaged (54 percent vs. 39 percent). Of particular concern is that more than 9 percent of the leavers had earned zero credits at the time of exit, and this subset of leavers had nearly double the percent minority representation when compared with all leavers (45 percent vs. 23 percent). Among this subset there was also a significantly higher percentage who were economically disadvantaged (50 percent vs. 39 percent of all leavers).

The tables above contain a few of the broadest-level findings. Given the variety of educational objectives with which students come into a community college, graduation rate alone no longer suffices as a measure of student success. The table shows that half of the completer group and nearly 57 percent of leavers enrolled in another postsecondary institution the year after graduating or leaving. The wage data in the report is disaggregated for both groups by their award level (or the credit equivalent of an award level for leavers). While completers tended to have higher wages overall, leavers from certain career technical programs who had completed 50 or more technical core credits earned higher wages than completers from the same programs. Some of the career technical programs that resulted in higher wages for leavers included: tool and die technology (median annual wage of $64,653 compared to $41,458 for completers), respiratory care ($50,577 vs. $41,125) and industrial mechanics and maintenance technology ($63,221 compared to $54,483). The report is available on Google Drive and will also be published on the DoE’s interactive site soon. Stay tuned!

If you have input on a upcoming feature, Big Fish, something to celebrate or a suggestion, email us at news@nicc.edu!