NICC ensures its programs align with workforce needs

To ensure that Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC) programs align with local workforce needs, the Board of Trustees approved a series of recommendations by the College’s administration at its May 16 meeting.

New programs approved by the trustees and the Iowa Department of Education (DOE) include: Computer Analyst – Data Center Technician certificate at the Peosta and Calmar campuses; Entrepreneurial Cosmetology diploma at both campuses; and the renaming of the Mechanical Engineering Technology program to Engineering Technology at the Peosta campus. Also approved by the trustees, and pending Iowa Department of Education (DOE) approval, is a new Legal Assistant Associate of Applied Science degree at the Peosta campus.

The creation of the Data Center Technician certificate is a critical step toward preparing students and graduates for the changing Information Technology (IT) job sector, according to Kathy Nacos-Burds, Ph.D., NICC vice president of academic affairs.

“This program meshes the skills of programming, networking, servers, storage and virtualization to create a complete picture of modern virtualized data center infrastructure. Students will also develop their IT skills in security information, remote monitoring and utilization management devices. As part of the college’s participation in the $15 million IHUM grant from the Department of Labor, we used grant resources to implement this program beginning in fall 2016,” Nacos-Burds explained. “NICC has identified IT as the focus of our grant dollars in the IHUM consortium.”

Also known as the Information Technology, Health, Utilities and Manufacturing Grant, IHUM is a statewide partnership between all 15 community colleges in Iowa. The colleges are each applying their share of the $15 million funding toward the development of programs and services that support workforce needs in their respective regions.

At the May 16 meeting, Nacos-Burds requested and received Board approval to suspend programs at the end of the 2015-2016 academic year to streamline program offerings at the college, particularly those that showed consistent low enrollment. The programs include: Agriculture Business certificates in environmental science, animal science and dairy; Dairy Science Technology specialist certificates in breeding, feeding, business and health; Associate of Applied Science and certificate options in enology technician and enology; Associate of Applied Science in entrepreneurial cosmetology and tourism; and Associate of Applied Science and certificate options in viticulture technician and viticulture.

“A program suspension is not permanent, and programs may be brought back if there is sufficient labor market demand,” added Nacos-Burds. “Our Business and Community Solutions division also offers similar continuing education courses to meet these needs.”

NICC examines its academic programs to determine their sustainability, viability and relevance, and ensures that the college is a model of good stewardship, expressed Liang Chee Wee, Ph.D., NICC president. “Our faculty members and deans have been looking at our one- and two-year programs, so what we offer truly aligns with the workforce needs of business and industry,” he said.

In business and industry training news, the Board approved a preliminary 260E Iowa New Jobs Training Program agreement with Mobile Track Solutions in Elkader. The agreement will create 30 new jobs with an estimated bond issuance of $369,000, according to Wendy Mihm-Herold, Ph.D., NICC vice president of Business and Community Solutions.

In other business training news, the Board approved several 260E projects that will now move them forward to a bond sale and finalization in June.

In a presentation to the board, Julie Wurtzel, NICC executive director of advancement, invited the trustees and the community to attend the Beef Education Facility ribbon cutting and open house May 26. Features of the new 13,750 sq. ft. mono-slope Beef Education Facility include: six state-of-the-art housing units; a cattle chute for individual care of animals, such as physical examinations, A.I. work with heifers, vaccinations and antibiotic treatment, surgeries and branding; and a welcoming center/observation room adjacent to the working facility for producers and consumers to see the dynamics of the beef cattle industry and view demonstrations.

At the meeting, NICC administrators honored the trustees for their service as part of Iowa School Board Recognition Month this May. The trustees are dedicated volunteers whose leadership and service helps to guide education and training programs for communities, students and families in the district.

NICC held commencement May 12-13 for Calmar and Peosta campus graduates. This year, 150 graduates participated in commencement May 12 at Luther College in Decorah, and 225 graduates participated in the ceremony May 13 at Five Flags Center in Dubuque.

From May 12-13, NICC also held its annual Employee Recognition and Convocation events at the Calmar and Peosta campuses to honor faculty and staff for their service. NICC staff members were recognized for five, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30 and 35 years of service to the college, as well as retirees. At the events, the District Extra Effort Award was awarded to Thomas Ridout, NICC executive director of finance; the Extra Effort Award at the Calmar campus was awarded to Lori Moore, science faculty; and Bob Steinhauser, NICC success coach at the Dubuque Center, received the Peosta campus Extra Effort Award.

In his president’s report, Dr. Wee expressed his gratitude for the efforts of staff members at the Peosta and Calmar campuses who collected bottled water and supplies for the people of Flint, MI. In Flint, the town’s water supply is endangered by dangerous levels of lead contamination. The college-wide effort, Just Add Water II, was a partnership with Resources Unite and the City of Peosta. The drive filled 13 pallets of water and raised $1,800. The cash donations will be used to purchase an additional 10 pallets of water, and the shipment will be delivered to Flint with fuel costs paid courtesy of Resources Unite, according to Kara Popp, NICC director of Student Life, Diversity and Leadership, and reported at the meeting by Troy Vande Lune, NICC assistant director of Student Life, Diversity and Leadership.

In human resources news, the trustees approved the hiring of Connie Kuennen, NICC executive director of human resources for the district; Lesley Buse, NICC assistant director of financial aid at the Peosta campus; Gina Fisher, CIS helpdesk technician at the Calmar campus; and Debra Hageman, business services bookkeeper at the Calmar campus.

The next regularly scheduled meeting of the NICC Board of Trustees is at 3 p.m. June 20 at the Peosta campus.