friday takeout

February 25, 2022

CUPPA JOE | straight up news.

  • NICC tuition-free initiative for short-term training is expanding ... news


  • New Assembly Operator tuition-free certificate program at NICC addresses workforce shortages ... news


  • NICC Graphic Design students win Best of Show, Judge's Choice, two Gold Addy's and one Silver Addy at this year's AAF Dubuque awards ceremony! ... news


WEEKLY FEATURE | good to know.

TRIO-Student Support Services Celebrates 20 Years at the College!

Thank you to all of the staff and faculty at the Northeast Iowa Community College Peosta campus for being there for TRIO-SSS scholars and staff. We are proud to work with you for the past 20 years. Looking forward to more years of helping first generation, low income and disabled students graduate from NICC and transfer on.


Colleagues, you're invited to celebrate the TRIO anniversary next Monday, Feb. 28, between 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. in Room 234. Feel free to stop in any time during these hours!


Pictured at left: Ellen Steffen, Administrative Assistant; Sue Miller, Tutor Specialist; Jodi Kremer, Academic Coordinator; and Cindy Virta, Director of TRIO-Student Support Services.

2022 Phi Theta Kappa All Iowa Academic Team Members Announced

The students will be honored at a ceremony in Des Moines on Wednesday, March 2, with both Dr. Wee and NICC Vice President of Learning and Student Success, Kathy Nacos-Burds, Ph.D, attending the event.

Caroline Lubke

Caroline is enrolled in the Production and Companion Animal Veterinary Technician program at the College and has been named to the dean’s list every semester. She is one of two student representatives serving on the Production and Companion Animal Veterinary Technician Advisory Committee to lend her insight into curriculum and program success. After graduation, Caroline is moving to upstate New York to complete an internship at a local small animal hospital in the area. She plans to continue her education and earn a specialized degree in animal behavior and training. In the future she may complete additional science coursework and pursue a degree in veterinary medicine.


Jamicah Goc-ong

Jamicah is enrolled in the Health Information Technology – Associate of Applied Science degree at the College preparing for a career as a medical coding specialist. This healthcare-related career interests Jamicah because of her skills in administrative support, computer science, coding and data entry. She also believes medical coders are an essential part of helping people to access healthcare. After she graduates in May 2023, she plans to work in a hospital office setting locally in northeast Iowa




Litci Marroquín

Litci is enrolled in the Associate of Arts - Elementary Education program at NICC and plans to transfer to Upper Iowa University to complete a double major in Elementary Education and Business Administration. She was named Salutatorian of her 2019 Postville High school graduating class and also served as class co-president. Since 2021 she has served as the Phi Theta Kappa chapter president at the Calmar campus. Litci plans to help her local community to access community services and resources using her Spanish-English bilingual skills.

APPETIZER | something for your appetite.

The Economic Value of Iowa's Community Colleges

The recently released Economic Impact report about Iowa's community colleges, commissioned by the Iowa Department of Education, shows a $5.5 billion impact to Iowa’s economy, including the support of 87,149 jobs to Iowans during the last year.

Iowa’s community colleges provide lasting impact to students, taxpayers and society. The report includes an investment analysis for each of those groups:

  • Students see a return of $6.30 in higher future earnings for every dollar they invest in their education and an average annual rate of return of 24.9%

  • For every dollar of public money invested in the community colleges, taxpayers receive $2.50 and have an average annual rate of return of 6.2%

  • Society benefits from $277.9 million of public and private sector savings, receiving $8.60 in return for every dollar spent for as long as students remain active in the state workforce.

  • Iowa’s 15 community colleges and their students support one out of 23 jobs in the state. Disaggregated, construction spending supports 352 jobs, student spending supports 3,936 jobs and alumni working in Iowa supports 71,230 jobs

    Read full report and view infographic.

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.

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is offering free tree seedlings from the State Forest Nursery, in Ames, Iowa, to communities, schools, counties and residents within city limits as part of a grant from the U.S. Forest Service. Trees can be ordered in increments of 25 up to a maximum of 200. Trees can be picked up in Ames or shipped for free. To see what trees are available, visit the nursery website. Sites eligible for planting these trees are anywhere, as long as the trees are planted within city limits. Trees can be handed out individually from a distribution center or be given to a group of citizens to plant. If you have a Tree Board, FFA club, Boy/Girl Scout troop or any other organization looking for a project to improve the community, they may be able to help with getting the trees planted. Applying organizations need NOT participate in the Trees for Kids program to receive seedlings! However, if you do have kids involved, they would like to know.

Source: Iowa Department of Natural Resources

BIG FISH | be amazed.

Justin Mescher

Computer Science Instructor | Peosta


What is the best parenting tip?

I have three kids. "Good Luck!" seems fitting. There is no manual included and they are all different!


If extraterrestrials (aliens) landed on Earth, and you were the first one to communicate with them, what would you say or ask?


The only thing to ask is ... "Why now? After probably being witness to all the savagery that we can inflict on each other and animals, why visit or make your presence known now?"


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

It really doesn't bother me unless the person is noticeably bad at it.


What fashion trend do you regret?

I'm old enough to be a part of the JNCO (jeans with large legs) trend when they got really popular for about a year in the 90s. I was in grade school at the time. Not my best fashion moment. Arghhh.


Tell us you’re an American without telling us you’re an American.

My hat doesn't come off except for formal events and sleep.


Would you own or use a self-driving car?

I'd like to try it out, but I really enjoy driving so it would be more of a novelty for me. I can see how they might be beneficial, as it seems that people's driving gets worse every year.


What is the most unusual job you have had in your life?


I've been an auto technician, butcher, stock boy, in retail management, a technical publications specialist and a computer science instructor. Unusual one? Probably the butcher phase. Career field that nobody seems to know about, definitely the tech pubs specialist. That one always got me questionable looks.


Your rap name is “LIL” then the last thing you spent money on.

Lil Cod Fish Sandwich, from the cafeteria. I'll show myself out now!

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