friday takeout

November 19, 2021

CUPPA JOE | straight up news.

  • Board of Trustees welcomes three new members — Kent Nelson, Gary McAndrew and John Finley ... news



  • NICC hosting Business Summit at Town Clock Business Center on Tuesday, Nov. 23 ... news


  • 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.

College Committee Expanding Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Efforts

Note: This is the first installment of a five-part weekly series in Friday Takeout about the DEI Committee and their work.

A committee at the College is devoted to making our campuses and service locations more diverse, equitable and inclusive. The 15-member district-wide group (pictured below) first convened in December 2019 to assess these issues on our campuses.

The Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Committee’s survey focus group surveyed credit and non-credit students at the end of the spring 2021 semester and received great feedback about these issues. The students’ comments and feedback will allow the College to make changes where needed to better serve our students. Members will also review Survey of Entering Student Engagement (SENSE) and Community College Survey of Student Engagement (CCSSE) data and analyze the results in regard to DEI initiatives, and also evaluate the results in comparison with the spring 2021 student survey.

This semester the committee’s training group coordinated book discussions for the district and organized Safe Zone Training for employees who want to create a friendly, accepting environment for the LGBTQ community. As we begin another New Year, look for updates on new training opportunities to learn more about DEI and ways we can all contribute to a welcoming environment for the students we serve!

IDOT Motor Vehicle Enforcement Makes Donation to Student Crisis Fund

Officials from Iowa Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Enforcement made a $250 donation this week to the College's Student Crisis Fund! They visited students and Student Crisis Fundraiser Committee members on Tuesday.

Pictured in the photo, left to right: Erik Anderson, Mental Health Counselor; Diesel Mechanics students Alex Zweibohmer, Matthew Feldmann, Wilson Ihm, Wyatt Rowcliffe, Kaleob Smith and Andrew Scotton; Elaine Capek, Financial Aid Administrative Assistant; Captain Kevin Steele, Officer Randy Moore, Officer Ronald Werner and Officer Jeff Doelz; and students Ethan Daughetee and Tim Steele.

Thank you for your generosity and support of our students.

Student Crisis Fundraiser Wrap-up!

Thank you to everyone who donated for the Kathryn J. Davis Student Crisis Fund. The Virtual Silent Auction raised $8,095.09! In addition to the amount raised from the auction, donations made in-kind and at campus events, we are excited to announce that we raised a grand total of $10,049.21! With your support we will be able to continue to help NICC students who may experience a crisis while completing their educational journey.

APPETIZER | something for your appetite.

Has the Credit Hour Concept Outlived its Usefulness?

A recent "Office Hours" podcast and article produced by the education consulting firm EAB interviewed Paul LeBlanc, president of Southern New Hampshire University (pictured), about his argument that community college and four-year college graduation rates are not likely to improve until higher education dispenses with an outdated credit hour accumulation model.

This traditional approach doesn't work well for nontraditional students who require more flexibility to balance education, families and work commitments, LeBlanc argues in his new book, Students First. His book is centered on the idea that "time is the ultimate scarcity, the lack of which prevents far too many students from achieving their goals." LeBlanc explains why the credit hour concept may have outlived its usefulness in 21st Century higher education and why competency-based education curricula deserve a fresh look in the US. The president and author shares why the the growth of short-form, alternative credentials and hybrid instructional models are good for the future of higher education and our students.

Check out the EAB podcast.

Northeast Iowa Community College continues to provide flexible options for students, including short-term certificate training, hybrid course delivery, earn and learn options in partnership with businesses, apprenticeship programs in industrial technology and new Competency-Based Education (CBE) programming.

GREEN CORNER

Kara and Piper, our Green Iowa AmeriCorps Sustainability Coordinators, will be bringing us regular facts and tips to green your life and make it more sustainable.

Fall is the season of gratitude, where we enjoy gifts of harvest as a community, and give thanks for the joys of the year. As we quickly approach the holiday season, consider showing your gratitude and giving back to organizations that make a difference in your community. This gift of gratitude could be a financial donation, or dedicated time spent volunteering. Here are a few environmental organizations in our community that offer volunteer opportunities: Winneshiek County Conservation, The Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation, the Iowa Driftless Chapter of Trout Unlimited, the Upper Iowa Audubon Chapter and Winneshiek County Pheasants Forever. You can also find your local county conservation board for environmental volunteer opportunities where you live!

-Piper Wood

BIG FISH | be amazed.

Scott Loeffelholz


Business and Community Solutions Trades Operations Program Developer | Peosta


What is the most irrational fear or phobia that you have?

A ridiculous fear of heights. My fear of heights stemmed from me falling out of a tree when I was 12.

How do you feel about people and/or yourself cursing?

I feel that cursing is appropriate in some situations, mostly while driving in traffic.

What is a person or subject that should be made into a documentary, but hasn’t yet?

The unreal story of the first black world heavyweight champion, Jack Johnson.



Would you rather meet your ancestors or your descendants? Please explain.

I would like to meet my ancestors. I would like to hear the stories of traveling from Germany in the 1800s to get to the Midwest.



Who would be on your all-time fantasy basketball team?

Larry Bird, Ray Allen, Penny Hardaway, Brian Scalabrine and Bill Russell. I may be biased towards the Boston Celtics.

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