friday takeout

May 3, 2019

CUPPA JOE | straight up news.

  • Rebecca Cole, a West Delaware High School graduate, penned editorial in Iowa Business Record about the benefits of Work-Based Learning, the Career Learning Link program at NICC, STEM careers and the honor of speaking at this week's Future Ready Iowa Summit! ... link


  • College announces winners of spring semester Writing Contest ... news


  • Packed PIVO Brewery celebrates investment in College and our students at Donor Celebration last Monday! ... photos

WEEKLY FEATURE | good to know.

Great Give Day Arriving next Thursday, May 9!

On Thursday May 9, 2019, Northeast Iowa Community College will take part in the Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque’s annual “Great Give Day.” This is a 24-hour online giving blitz that allows us to showcase our students and raise money to help support their needs. Our goal is to receive a gift from 100 different donors.

This year, all of the money raised on Great Give Day will be used to support the Student Crisis Fund. That fund is in place to help students when they find themselves in a crisis situation i.e. Car troubles, health emergencies, etc.

Last year, the fund helped 78 students in both Calmar and Peosta. More than 85 percent of the students who received Student Crisis Fund money remained enrolled after their crisis was over.

As important members of our student’s lives, you know how critical our support can be. Please help us on Great Give Day by sharing Northeast Iowa Community College’s posts on social media AND by making an online contribution. We thank you, so very much, for helping our students when they need it most.

West Central High School and NICC Student Featured in Statewide Elevate Advanced Manufacturing e-Newsletter

APPETIZER | something for your appetite.

Business and Community Solutions Shares its "By the Numbers" 3rd Quarter Report

Business and Community Solutions has released its Fiscal Year 2019 year-to-date Q3 report! The publication, which is distributed to decision-makers and business leaders in northeast Iowa and statewide, shares recent enrollment data, class registrations and revenue, and student success stories. The two-page Q3 report also shares detailed Adult Education & Literacy data, Career Learning Link enrollments and Work-Based Learning participation among high school students.

PIES and BARS | sweet data.

Six-Year Disaggregated Graduation Report Reveals Strong Correlations to Improving Graduation Rates

A recently completed report of six-year graduation rates at Northeast Iowa Community College disaggregated by key indicators reveals that the indicator with the strongest correlation to graduation is retention to year two. The report is a combined report of all first-time, degree-seeking, NICC students who entered in the fall terms of 2009 - 2012, whether full or part-time. The overall six-year graduation rate was 38 percent, which jumped up to 62 percent for students who were retained to the fall term following entry. Students completing at least half of their 1st term credits have the next strongest correlation. The six-year graduation for those who did was 46 percent, compared to 4 percent for students completing fewer than half of their first term credits. Each successful step forward, no matter how small, increases the chance of a student graduating. Early support is the most critical component in advancing students toward graduation. The table above shows comparative four- and six-year graduation rates by entering fall term. Graduation rates have steadily improved over the past six years. For more information or a more granular look at the results, please contact the Director of Institutional Research, Lor Miller, at ext. 203 at Calmar.

BIG FISH | be amazed.

Gwen Beeh

Assessment Technician | Peosta


Who or what shaped your sense of humor?

I grew up in a family of 10 children, and we always played pranks on each other and still do to this day.

Which of the six College values do you most identify with and why?

The College value that I identify with the most is "respect.” Every living thing deserves a feeling of deep admiration for their abilities, qualities or achievements. I give this respect by listening to, encouraging, congratulating, and helping students and staff every day.

What food will you absolutely not, under any circumstances, eat?

Morel mushrooms have to win this contest.

If you could invent any product, no matter how unrealistic it may seem, what would it be and what would it do?

I would invent a time travel machine to get you from place to place without having to travel using a car, plane, train, etc.

Give a specific example of a time when you saw how your work helped a student or co-worker and it made you feel all "warm and fuzzy."

I get this feeling at the end of every semester during finals. Students are so happy to complete their courses.

What kind of songs get wedged in your head, like an "ear worm"?

“I Don't Wanna Grow up, I'm a Toys R' Us Kid”

If you had to choose one thing you were most passionate about, what would it be and why?

I am passionate about my family and friends. I show this by loving them, and making sure they know that I love them, making them feel good about themselves, helping them to make themselves happy, and making them feel like they are important and mean something.

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