College Profile

Message from the President

Dear Students,

Welcome to Northeast Iowa Community College! As you explore this academic catalog, you are taking an important step toward shaping your future. Whether you are pursuing a degree, gaining new skills, or discovering your career path, we are thrilled to support you on your journey.

At NICC, we believe in the power of education to transform lives. Our dedicated faculty and staff are here to guide, encourage and share resources to help you succeed. From innovative programs to hands-on learning opportunities, we are committed to providing an educational experience that prepares you for what lies ahead.

The world is constantly evolving and so are the opportunities before you. Embrace challenges, stay curious and never hesitate to ask for support. You are part of a vibrant and welcoming community that celebrates your unique talents and perspectives.

As you move forward, know that NICC is more than a College - it’s a place where your aspirations take shape and your goals become a reality. We are proud to walk alongside you every step of the way.

Here’s to a future full of growth, achievement and endless possibilities!

With warmest regards,

Dave Dahms
Interim 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

Kathy Gunderson
Postville, Vice Chair

John Finley
Elkader

Wendy Knight
Dubuque

Gary McAndrew
Peosta

Sue Runyon
Fayette

Geri Schilling-Johnson
Dubuque

Dean Sherman
Manchester

Daniel White
Dubuque

Administrative Cabinet

David Dahms
Interim President

Anna Berns
Executive Director of Advancement

Amy Gaffney
Vice President of Student Services

Heather Groth
Executive Assistant to the President and Board Secretary

Shea Herbst
Director of Marketing

Connie Kuennen
Executive Director of Human Resources

Amy Lasack
Vice President of Business and Community Solutions

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

Lexi Wagner
Vice President of Finance & Administration

Verrick Foust
College Senate Chairperson

College History

Established in July 1966, Northeast Iowa Community College began as the Area One Vocational-Technical School, with Calmar as its administrative headquarters. Initially, the College served public school districts in Allamakee, Chickasaw, Clayton, Fayette, Howard and Winneshiek counties, along with portions of Bremer, Buchanan and Mitchell counties.

By September 5, 1967, Area One Vocational-Technical School had enrolled 170 students in 12 programs and broke ground on a 210-acre campus in Calmar. Today, this campus features the Darwin L. Schrage Administration Building, Max Clark Hall, Wilder Business Center, Student Center, Industrial Technologies and Agricultural Technologies buildings, Beef Science Education Facility, Child Development Center and Iowa’s Dairy Center-a state-of-the-art, dairy education and applied research facility completed in 2000.

In 1970, the service area expanded to include Dubuque and Delaware counties, as well as portions of Jones and Jackson counties. At the same time, the College began offering career education programs across Dubuque, including the Roshek Building, in 1971.

The institution changed its name to Northeast Iowa Technical Institute (NITI) in 1979, the same year it established the Peosta campus. Currently, the Peosta campus includes the main academic building, cougar athletics, child development center, the National Education Center for Agricultural Safety and the industrial technologies building opened in August 2010.

In 1988, the State Board of Education officially approved the institution’s operation as a community college and to award Associate of Arts, Associate of Science, and Associate of Applied Science degrees. At the same time, the institution’s name changed to Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC).

Over the years, NICC has extended its reach to additional service locations in Cresco, Dubuque,Manchester, Oelwein and Waukon, providing accessible education and fueling regional economic growth. In 2008, the College expanded the Town Clock Business Center in Dubuque to create a one-stop center in partnership with Iowa Workforce Development (IWD) and the East Central Intergovernmental Association (ECIA).

Thanks to a supermajority vote in December 2007, the College secured a$35 million bond levy for renovating and constructing new facilities. These funds enhanced the industrial technologies spaces at both the Calmar and Peosta campuses, upgraded student and administrative facilities in Calmar, renovated health and science labs and the library in Peosta and supported the opening of the Wilder Business Center in Calmar in January 2013.

In spring 2016, NICC reopened the newly renovated Agriculture Technologies building-one of the Calmar campus’ original structures-to support the John Deere Tech program with updated labs and state-of-the-art technology.

The College earned national recognition for its commitment to student success and workforce development. The Aspen Institute Community College Excellence Program ranked NICC among the top ten community colleges in the nation in 2011, citing strong graduate outcomes, academic quality, and community impact. In 2016, Affordable Colleges Online recognized NICC as a leading institution for online learning, and in 2023, practicalnursing.org named its Practical Nursing program the number-one LPN program in Iowa.

In September 2018, residents once again demonstrated their support of the College by approving a $39 million bond levy continuation to finance construction and renovation projects throughout our district.

Under the leadership of interim President David Dahms, Northeast Iowa Community College remains devoted to transforming the lives of students, their families and the communities it serves.

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:

Freedom of Speech and Expression

The College, as a public institution of higher education, established 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.

First Amendment training is available to all students, employees, and community members.

Campus and Service Locations

The College’s commitment to communities throughout northeast Iowa has produced seven service locations in Cresco, Dubuque, Manchester, 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

Peosta Campus

8342 NICC Drive
Peosta, IA 52068
844.642.2338

Online

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

Cresco Center

1020 Second Ave. S.E.
Cresco, IA 52136
844.642.2338

Dubuque Center

700 Main St.
Dubuque, IA 52001
844.642.2338, ext. 3700

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

Oelwein Center

1400 Technology Drive
Oelwein, IA 50662
844.642.2338, ext. 5700

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
conted@nicc.edu

Waukon Center

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

Wilder Business Center

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