Five 2021 Waukon High School graduates also earn NICC degrees

High school students who decide on their career paths early in life may be able to save on time and college tuition expense. Just ask five May 2021 Waukon High School graduates who identified their career objectives and earned the college credits during their high school academic career that they needed to also earn an Associate of Arts degree through Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC).

May 23 those five Waukon High School students received their high school diplomas and two-year transfer degrees. With all five of them being four-year university bound, the graduates plan to develop their skills and knowledge in a variety of fields, including business, marketing management, agriculture and biology. The students earned 60 college credits because of a concurrent enrollment established between NICC and Waukon High School.

One graduate, Allie Bieber, worked closely with staff at the NICC Waukon Center to meet her goals. “During my time at NICC, I focused on fulfilling my general education requirements to lighten my academic and financial load once I move on to Iowa State University next fall. I really enjoyed working with the staff at the NICC Waukon Center. They were always super easy to work with. Completing my AA degree in high school has been a dream come true and I was thankful to have worked with Erica Nosbisch (center director) to help turn that dream into a reality during my time in high school,” Bieber said.

All five students managed college coursework, high school requirements and busy schedules:

• Allie Bieber is attending Iowa State University next fall to study Animal Science and Agricultural Business. As a high school student she was actively involved in 4-H, FFA, Winneshiek County Youth Beef Team, Iowa Angus Association, National Junior Angus Association, Waukon High School Kindness Crew, National Honor Society and Orange Cord Program.

• Denzel Decker is attending Iowa State University to study Business Marketing. At Waukon he was in Student Council, FBLA, Band, Cross Country, National Honor Society and Speech Contest.

• Madalyn Palmer is attending Iowa State University to study Animal Science and Agricultural Business with a minor in Spanish. She participated in Bowling, NEIC Leadership Team, 4-H, Allamakee 4-H County Council, Future Business Leaders of America, Teacher’s Assistant, NDN Student News, National Honor Society, St. John’s Bell Choir, Talented and Gifted, and Band.

• Bailey Shafer will attend the University of Iowa next fall to study Accounting, Finance and/or Business Analytics and minor in Spanish/International Business. She participated in Cross Country, Basketball, Track, Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA), Fields of Faith Leadership team and National Honor Society.

• Madelyn Waters is attending The University of Northern Iowa and will study Biology on a Pre-Med track. At Waukon she participated in Track, Cross Country, Student Council, Students Working Against Tobacco, Future Business Leaders of America and National Honor Society.

“Being able to take college classes during high school was extremely beneficial because I was able to gain exposure to the college world while also earning college credits that would transfer to a university,” Waters said.

From 2019-2020 nearly 2,800 high school students earned 20,114 college credits in the NICC district. During that time 140 concurrent high school students enrolled in 798 NICC credits through the Waukon Center.

“Northeast Iowa Community College’s partnerships with high schools in Allamakee County provide a unique opportunity for students to earn transferable credits,” Nosbisch said.

The NICC Waukon Center serves as a convenient and affordable resource for high school students in the community, whether they want to earn college credit at NICC or obtain training to begin their careers. For more information on services and resources offered through the NICC Waukon Center, contact Nosbisch at 844-642-2338, ext. 6101 or nosbische@nicc.edu.