Dec 19, 2024  
2023-2024 Student Handbook 
    
2023-2024 Student Handbook [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

College Profile



Picture of PresidentMessage from the President

My colleagues and I are very glad that you have chosen Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC) to pursue your education. Thank you for the opportunity to partner with you.

We recognize the importance of educating the whole person and offering an environment that makes you want to be on campus, meet fellow students, engage with your professors, and grow
as a person. Our student life activities such as over a dozen clubs and organizations, Competitive Sports Shooting, and E-Sports athletics programs enhance this experience. To
make the most of your education, become an active member of the College and take advantage of opportunities for student leadership, service learning, and recreation.

We are proud of the College’s state-of-the-art facilities, learning technology and methodology, as well as an attractive and comfortable learning environment-with many informal places to sit
and relax, study, or visit with your friends. Our faculty and staff are dedicated to helping you make your dreams become a reality. We will support you in your future career interests through
work-based learning opportunities such as Earn and Learn programs, apprenticeships, and internships.  Ultimately, your success will greatly enhance your career options and quality of life,
help sustain your family, and contribute to the vitality of the community where you reside.

We invite you to become familiar with the information contained within this catalog, such as College policies, processes, programs and services available to you as you strive for academic
excellence. Additional tools and resources to make your experience at NICC as enjoyable and productive as possible include our learning management system Brightspace, the Career Hub, Learning Center, Library, Cafeteria, Counseling Services, and more.

Your education is your own, individual path-and we are here to walk by your side. Welcome to the Cougar family!

Herbert H. J. Riedel, Ph.D.
President

Mission Statement

Northeast Iowa Community College provides in-demand education and training focused on improving lives, driving business success and advancing community vitality.

Vision Statement

Northeast Iowa Community College will be the premier source for in-demand education, workforce training and partnerships, through innovative thinking and talent development.

SERVICE: We listen, identify, and respond to the needs and expectations of our internal and external communities.

RESPECT: We show consideration for one another and encourage diverse perspectives to build trust, cooperation, and accountability.

STEWARDSHIP: We use our resources in a responsible, impactful, and sustainable manner.

INNOVATION: We foster the development and advancement of ideas through individual and team creativity.

INTEGRITY: We are ethically accountable to ourselves and others.

RESILIENCY: We learn from our experiences, refocus, and seize the opportunity to improve and persist.

Board of Trustees

Jim Anderson, J.D.
Decorah, Chair

Bob Shafer
Dubuque, Vice Chair

Larry Blatz
Dubuque

John Finley
Elkader

Kathy Gunderson
Postville

Gary McAndrew
Peosta

Sue Runyon
Fayette

Dean Sherman
Manchester

Daniel White
Dubuque

Administrative Cabinet

Herbert H. J. Riedel, Ph.D.
President

David Dahms
Vice President of Finance and Administration

Wendy Knight
Vice President of Institutional Effectiveness and Advancement

Connie Kuennen
Executive Director of Human Resources

Kathleen Nacos-Burds, Ph.D.
Vice President of Learning and Student Success

Julia Sollien
Executive Assistant to the President

Dawn Klostermann
College Senate Chairperson

College History

In July 1966, the State Board of Education approved the formation of the Area One Vocational-Technical School with Calmar as its administrative headquarters. The district approved included public school districts in Allamakee, Chickasaw, Clayton, Fayette, Howard and Winneshiek counties, as well as sections of Bremer, Buchanan and Mitchell counties.

On Sept. 5, 1967, Area One Vocational Technical School had 170 students enrolled in 12 programs. The school also broke ground on construction of facilities on the 210-acre Calmar campus, which now includes Darwin L. Schrage Administration building, Max Clark Hall, Wilder Business Center, Industrial Technologies, Student Center, Agricultural Technologies, Beef Science Education Facility, Child Development Center and Iowa’s Dairy Center, a $4.1 million dairy education center and applied research laboratory built in 2000.

The merged Area One Vocational-Technical School was enlarged in 1970 to include the public school districts in Dubuque and Delaware counties and sections of Jones and Jackson counties. In 1971, the school began offering career education programs at several locations throughout Dubuque, including the Roshek building.

In April 1979, Area One Vocational-Technical School changed its name to Northeast Iowa Technical Institute. This same year, the Peosta campus was established. The Peosta campus currently includes the main building, the Gas Utilities and Construction building, a Child Development Center, the National Education Center for Agricultural Safety and the Industrial Technologies building, which opened in August 2010.

In 1988, formal approval of community college status for Northeast Iowa Technical Institute was given by the State Board of Education to develop curricula and programs that would lead to awarding Associate of Arts, Associate of Science and Associate of Applied Science degrees. The school’s name was changed to Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC).

NICC has since expanded to include service locations in Cresco, Dubuque, New Hampton, Manchester, Oelwein and Waukon. The purpose of these locations is to bring education and training to students in their communities and to serve as a catalyst for economic development. In 2008, the Town Clock Business Center in Dubuque was expanded to include a one-stop center with Iowa Workforce Development (IWD) and East Central Intergovernmental Association (ECIA).

In December 2007, taxpayers passed, by super majority, a $35 million renovation and construction bond levy for the College. The funds supported construction and renovation of the Industrial Technologies buildings on each campus, the Student Center on the Calmar campus, renovations to the health and science labs and a new library on the Peosta campus, the Darwin L. Schrage Administration building in Calmar, and the Wilder Business Center, which opened in January 2013.

In spring 2016, the College officially re-opened the Agricultural Technologies building that houses the John Deere TECH program. The facility, one of the earliest buildings constructed at the Calmar campus, was completely renovated and updated to support the program with new lab areas and technology.

In 2016, the College was recognized as one of the best schools in the U.S. for online learning by Affordable Colleges Online, and its Practical Nursing program was ranked the number one L.P.N. program in Iowa by practicalnursing.org in 2017.

In September 2018, taxpayers approved a $39 million bond levy continuation to finance construction and renovation in the College’s district.

Under the leadership of its current President, Herbert H. J. Riedel, Ph.D., Northeast Iowa Community College is committed to transforming and honoring its students, their families and the communities in which they live.

Accreditation

Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC) is a public community college approved by the State Board of Education. Curricula are also approved by the State Board of Education, with additional approval through the Veteran’s Education Unit of the State Department of Education for the Veteran’s Administration.

Northeast Iowa Community College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) and participates in the Standard Pathway.

Continuous Notice of Nondiscrimination

It is the policy of Northeast Iowa Community College not to discriminate in its programs, activities or employment on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, creed, religion, and actual or potential family, parental or marital status. 

If you have questions or complaints related to compliance with this policy, please contact:

Executive Director of Human Resources, 1625 Highway 150 South, Calmar, IA 52132 or the Executive Director for Risk Management, 8342 NICC Drive, Peosta, IA 52068, 844.642.2388, equity@nicc.edu or the Director of the Office of Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education, John C. Kluczynski Federal Building, 230 S. Dearborn Street, 37th Floor, Chicago, IL 60604, Telephone: 312.730.1560, Facsimile: 312.730.1576, TDD: 800.877.8339, Email: OCR.Chicago@ed.gov.

 

Freedom of Speech and Expression

The College, as a public institution of higher education, establishes this policy to comply with the laws of the state of Iowa and the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States and to protect speech and expression. The primary function of an institution of higher education is the discovery, improvement, transmission, and dissemination of knowledge by means of research, teaching, discussion, and debate. To fulfill this function, the College shall strive to ensure the fullest degree of intellectual freedom and free expression allowed under the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States.

Campus and Service Locations

The College’s commitment to communities throughout northeast Iowa has produced eight service locations in Cresco, Dubuque, Manchester, New Hampton, Oelwein, Waukon, National Education Center for Agricultural Safety (NECAS) and the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) in Dubuque. Each service location provides educational opportunities and services to students interested in taking classes close to home. Among the services provided are economic development, workforce development, day and evening credit and continuing education classes, high school equivalency diploma (HSED) preparation, English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) classes and adult literacy and programs designed for adult learners returning to college.

* Not all services are available at the service locations. Contact the service location you are interested in for additional information.

Calmar Campus

1625 Hwy. 150 S.
P.O. Box 400
Calmar, IA 52132
844.642.2338
Fax: 563.562.3983

Peosta Campus

8342 NICC Drive
Peosta, IA 52068
844.642.2338
Fax: 563.556.5058

Online

www.nicc.edu/online
admissions@nicc.edu

Cresco Center

1020 Second Ave. S.E.
Cresco, IA 52136
844.642.2338
Fax: 563.547.3402

Dubuque Center

700 Main St.
Dubuque, IA 52001
844.642.2338, ext. 3700
Fax: 563.557.8353

Manchester Center

1200½ W. Main St.
Manchester, IA 52057
844.642.2338, ext. 7700

National Education Center for Agricultural Safety (NECAS)

8342 NICC Dr
Peosta, IA 52068
888.844.6322

New Hampton

Located inside New Hampton High School
701 W. Main St.
New Hampton, IA 50659
844.642.2338, ext. 7104

Regional Academy for Math and Science (Rams) / Regional Tech Center / Oelwein Center

1400 Technology Drive
Oelwein, IA 50662
844.642.2338, ext. 5700
Fax: 319.283.1893

Small Business Development Center (SBDC)

Located in the Schmid Innovation Center
900 Jackson St., Ste. 110
Dubuque, IA 52001
563.588.3350

Town Clock Business Center

680 Main St., Ste. 100
Dubuque, IA 52001
844.642.2338, ext. 3700
Fax: 563.557.0319

Waukon Center

1220 Third Ave. N.W., Ste. 102
Waukon, IA 52172
844.642.2338, ext. 6700
Fax: 563.568.0016

Wilder Business Center

1625 Hwy. 150 S.
Calmar, IA 52132
844.642.2338, ext. 1399
Fax: 563.562.3719