friday takeout
March 26, 2021
PRESIDENTIAL CORNER | quarterly updates.
(Editor's note: Presidential Corner is a new quarterly feature that shares Dr. Wee's updates with the College community. The next installments will be published in the June, September and December issues of Friday Takeout. Presidential Corner replaces the twice-annual Visions newsletter.)
On April 1 we will join together via Zoom for All College Day. I look forward to celebrating our resiliency and accomplishments following an extraordinary year.
Our theme this year is “Service Excellence & Continuous Improvement.”
We will kick-off the morning with a recognition of the 2020 years of service recipients. The College Senate will then share the Extra Effort Award with us.
This is a perfect segue to break-out sessions where we will share with each other the extra efforts by our colleagues that we observed or experienced during the past year. I know there are many examples of our colleagues going above and beyond, personally and professionally, to support each other, our students, our businesses, and our communities.
Two presentations to round out the morning will focus on continuous improvement initiatives and how we may continue to enhance our level of customer service. COVID-19 did not stop us from doing the best we can for others nor exploring how we may improve the work that we do. I am so proud of our efforts to continually improve as individuals and as an institution.
Spring is here and brighter days are ahead. I welcome our working together for the May graduations, the summer camps for children, our summer classes, and the fall semester. Thank you for staying united and resilient with me.
CUPPA JOE | straight up news.
The College, Manchester developer Wes Schulte, the City of Peosta and partners hosted a groundbreaking event for the new College Suites apartments yesterday! Earlier this week Schulte discussed his vision for the new development near the Peosta campus ... KMCH-FM link
Health Information Technology program at the College named best among community colleges in the nation! ... news
Renovations to Max Clark Hall at Calmar begin ... Fayette Newspapers
Business Insight e-newsletter shares the latest updates from Regional Sector Board Summit ... link
FACULTY AND STAFF: Stay up-to-date on the College's Strategic Plan and Tracking document in NICC Shared Files!
WEEKLY FEATURE | good to know.
The Bookstores Need Your Support!
New Spring wear has arrived at the Bookstores! We look forward to seeing all of our faculty and staff. Please drop in and show your support with a purchase of Northeast Iowa Community College spirit clothing from our section of quality merchandise! Bookstore hours of operation are 7:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. at the Calmar and Peosta campuses.
APPETIZER | something for your appetite.
Spring Cleaning Tips!
Check out these top 10 strategies to welcome spring and freshen up your surroundings, courtesy of Sylvane's online "Indoor Health Matters" column.
Make a Schedule
De-clutter
Use a HEPA Vacuum
Think Green When You Spring Clean
Always Work from Top to Bottom
Walls and Windows Need Love too
Don't Be Scared of the Kitchen and Bathroom
Don't Forget About Your Air
WELLNESS 360 | be well.
Self-Care Tips and Inspiration
by Flannery Cerbin-Bohach, Wellness and Life Stage Program Manager
Self-Care Tip of the Week:
What are the narratives you tell yourself? We’ve addressed the power of positive self talk and affirmations before; however it’s never too young to start learning these strategies. Check out this video of these “anti-helicopter” parents from British Columbia who recorded their youngest daughter using great examples of positive self talk - lessons from a 3-year-old. This video doubles as inspiration for the week too! It’s never too late or too early to start trying new things.
Inspiration of the Week:
Perhaps you’ve caught wind in mainstream media this past week of Dick Hoyt's passing at 80. "Team Hoyt" included Dick and his son Rick, who at birth was diagnosed as a spastic quadriplegic with cerebral palsy. Rick learned how to tap his head on a computer to communicate and in 1977 Rick told his Dad he wanted to compete in a road race.
Over the course of several decades, Dick pushed Rick in a specialized wheelchair and they completed more than 1,000 races together. They did 72 marathons (Boston 32 times!) and several Ironman distance triathlons. For the 2.4 mile swim, Dick would pull Rick in a small boat, then for the 112 mile bike ride they’d use a specialized tandem bike and Rick would transition to a wheelchair for the run portion. The Hoyts also did a 45-day, 3,735-mile bike ride across the continental U.S. in 1992. Their pursuits also included the creation of the Hoyt Foundation, Inc., to help others with disabilities take part in athletic endeavors, promote and foster inclusion in everyday life, and raise disability awareness.
Recipe of the Week:
These look tasty! Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas
Wellness Podcast:
The monthly podcasts feature members of our community who share their stories about how they stay well - body, mind, and spirit.
Campfire Podcast information - you should be able to open and listen to the file in iTunes, Quicktime, Windows Media Player. Episode #2 is campfire chat with Admissions Representative, Caitlyn Wolfe. Listen in as Caitlyn interweaves themes of how music fills her bucket. Not only is Caitlyn a talented local musician, she has an incredible knack for positivity and a contagious personality. You are sure to leave this podcast humming.
BIG FISH | be amazed.
Nick Theodore
Sustainability Operations Coordinator (Green Iowa AmeriCorps)
Calmar Campus
In one sentence, how would you explain the internet?
The internet is a productively destructive place for laughs, news and updates.
What is the age in your life that stands out as the most memorable, and why?
This year, 24, stands out to me the most in my life so far. Like many others, I have dealt with an almost entirely virtual year. I also quit my previous job and moved across the country to do work that I loved at the same time as starting my master's degree. My life has been voluntarily flipped upside down in the best way possible, and I'll never forget it.
If you could be an Olympic athlete, in what sport would you compete?
If I could be an Olympic athlete, I would be a soccer star. I've been playing soccer for more than 20 years and don't plan on stopping anytime soon.
Who is your favorite comedian?
Dave Chappelle.
If you could start all over again, what would be your career choice?
This one :)
If you have input on a upcoming feature, Big Fish, something to celebrate or a suggestion, email us at news@nicc.edu!