friday takeout

September 6, 2019

CUPPA JOE | straight up news.

  • Meet Emma Ehlers: The Edgewood-Colesburg High School graduate received her Ed-Co diploma and an Associate of Arts degree from the College last May! ... news


  • Iowa State University Dairy Specialist Jennifer (Brumm) Bentley, '02, discusses genomics and economics with farmers ... Globe Gazette link


  • Greater Dubuque Development Corporation's Kristin Dietzel writes editorial for Biz Times highlighting the child care shortage and workforce solution developed with Northeast Iowa Community College, through Opportunity Dubuque initiative ... link


  • Last Dollar Scholarship recipient Casey Welsh receives additional state of Iowa financial aid to support her training in the Paramedic program ... video

WEEKLY FEATURE | good to know.

The annual employee campaign is off to a great start! Thank you to all employees who have made a gift and submitted their pledge card. Our goal this year is 80 percent employee participation. Currently we are at 16 percent giving, with 56 gifts. Last year at this time we had 50 gifts. Your gift, no matter the size, makes a huge difference.

You can return your pledge card to the Advancement office: Kelli Holthaus in Calmar or Darla Till in Peosta.

We are grateful for the time, talent, commitment and enthusiasm you bring to Northeast Iowa Community College, each day, in all that you do. Pledge cards received by Friday, Oct. 4, will be entered to win one of four, four-hour vacation blocks or a pizza party!

The Northeast Iowa Community College VISION 20/20 Strategic Plan for 2019- 2022 is available in the Google Drive for your use:

PIES and BARS | sweet data.

IDOE Community College Interactive Data Site Shares Enrollment and Employment Outcome Trends

The Division of Community Colleges and Workforce Preparation at the Iowa Department of Education (IDOE) recently updated its online data visualization tools to include academic year 2017-18 data. The two data sets below provide users a quick glance at historical enrollment and employment outcome trends for NICC and other community colleges in Iowa.

  • Annual enrollment in credit and noncredit programs; credit and contact hours; and attempted, completed and successfully completed courses and credit hours for the past 19 years, statewide and by college.
  • Program outcomes interactive data sets for credit and noncredit program completers, including employment and wage data for Iowa community college graduates in credit and noncredit programs by national geographies, type of completed program and specific program levels since 2010 (credit) and 2016 (non-credit).

The table shown above right is an overview of outcomes for 2017 Northeast Iowa Community College graduates. Graduates working

as Registered Nurses in 2018 earned the highest median wages.

For more detailed reports or for assistance, please contact Lor Miller in the Office of Institutional Research, Calmar campus, ext. 203.

BIG FISH | be amazed.

Joni Knopp

Success Coach | Peosta Campus


What gets you excited about the mission of Northeast Iowa Community College?

I would not be able to encourage students to choose NICC if I didn’t believe in the mission and values of the College: My mom enrolled at NICC in the mid-80’s as an adult learner nursing student, I enrolled in the mid-2000’s and my own child is a student here. It excites me to be part of improving the lives of people in northeastern Iowa and our region. I love that everyone is welcome here!

Who or what shaped your sense of humor?

I was raised in a household where we never took ourselves or life too seriously. My parents still love to remind me of the time I was in kindergarten, and I dumped my entire tray at a church supper. Who lets a five year-old carry their own tray? My sense of humor helps me relate to my students and puts them at ease.

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

The College value I identify most with is respect. My goal is to have every student I encounter be treated like I want my loved ones treated. Everyone needs and deserves a cheerleader in their corner to remind them they can accomplish whatever they are willing to work for.

What experience most prepared you for your current role at the College?

My experiences as a student prepared me for my job as a Success Coach. While I was raised that post-secondary education was an expectation in my family, I started at college straight out of high school undecided on my major. A job shadow over Christmas break changed my initial game plan. Revisiting the results of an interest inventory taken in high school redirected my career into education. A few years later when I was an adult learner taking nursing classes, a visit with an NICC enrollment advisor led to my inquiring about his role rather than continuing in the program. My own pathway, complete with bumps, potholes and detours, continues to help me illustrate that the road to career happiness isn’t always straight and doesn’t always go as planned.

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 had the pleasure of communicating Last Dollar Scholarship awards to students this summer. Some students needed to be convinced it wasn’t a scam! It was like informing students they had won the lottery!

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