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EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS
Iowa has a statewide system of 15 community colleges. These public, postsecondary, two-year
institutions are organized as comprehensive community colleges. Each college serves a multi-
county merged area that may vary in size from four to 12 counties; all of Iowa’s 99 counties are
included in one of these merged areas.
Community colleges are governed by locally elected boards of directors that consist of from
five to nine members who are elected for terms of three years. Each community college offers a
comprehensive educational program. All Iowans of postsecondary school age are eligible to at-
tend any of the community colleges. Community colleges also offer special programs for students
who attend local secondary schools.
Community colleges have an open-door admission policy that guarantees Iowans an opportu-
nity for educational assistance and career development regardless of previous educational attain-
ment. To implement this policy, community colleges offer assistance in developing skills neces-
sary for success in preparatory career and college parallel programs, supplementary services to
disabled and disadvantaged students, and a variety of other support services designed to help stu-
dents succeed.
Each community college offers a comprehensive educational program in three major areas of
instruction:
Adult education, including adult basic education programs for adults who have less
than an eighth grade education; high school completion programs leading to adult
high school diplomas and high school equivalency diplomas; supplementary career
programs of vocational and technical education; and continuing education programs.
Preparatory career programs of vocational and technical education, to provide prepa-
ration for immediate employment in a wide variety of careers. Those training pro-
grams ordinarily require full-time instruction of four weeks to two years.
College parallel coursework, which provides arts and sciences courses that may be
transferred to other colleges and universities as the equivalent of the first two years of
a four-year baccalaureate program.
Community colleges also offer unique educational programs and opportunities such as pro-
grams for incarcerated individuals in correctional facilities; evaluation and assessment centers;
developmental education programs and services for underprepared students; special programs for
the disabled, including sheltered workshops; customized training programs for business and in-
dustry; incubation centers to assist the development of small businesses; and the administration of
service delivery areas for the federal Job Training Partnership Act.
The Iowa Community College Council, established in law, assists the State Board of Education
with substantial issues directly related to the community college system. The council also pre-
pares a five-year statewide strategic plan at least once every five years for Iowa’s community
colleges in consultation with a working group of stakeholders.
Dr. Penelope Wills, president; Calmar 52132; Peosta 52068
(800) 728-2256 or (563) 562-3263 (Calmar)
(800) 728-7367 or (563) 556-5110 (Peosta);
www.nicc.edu
Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC) serves the transfer, technical, and career education
needs of residents, businesses, and industries in the area. In fall 2008, enrollment in credit
courses was 4,768. With campuses at Calmar and Peosta and centers in downtown Dubuque,
Cresco, New Hampton, Oelwein, Manchester, and Waukon, NICC offers over 75 programs lead-
ing to Associate in Arts, Associate in Science, or Associate in Applied Science degrees, diplomas,
and certificates. Students may choose from a wide variety of business, computer, health, industrial
technology, general education, or agriculture fields. Unique majors such as John Deere ag tech,
dairy science technology, and arboriculture are available.
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IOWA OFFICIAL REGISTER
NICC’s continuing education programs are developed and delivered in response to the educa-
tional needs of the people of the district. During a typical school year, NICC serves more than
30,000 individuals in 27 different fields of study, with more than 68,000 class registrations.
NICC provides economic-development and business-training services that enhance employee
skills, assist in growth and development, and increase productivity. NICC will provide services
and training that are of high quality, cost-effective, customized, and convenient to the business
client. Since 1985, NICC has approved over $50 million in new jobs training agreements related
to the creation of 11,000 jobs within NICC’s district.
NICC is fully accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.
Debra A. Derr, Ph.D., president; Mason City 50401; (641) 423-1264;
www.niacc.edu
North Iowa Area Community College (NIACC) has served North Iowa for over 90 years. The
college, which began as Mason City Junior College in 1918, was the first public two-year college
in Iowa. The college has been accredited since 1919 and is currently accredited by the North
Central Association of Colleges and Schools. The countryside campus encompasses over 500
acres of land including contemporary facilities, an agriculture technology lab, athletic fields, and
lakeside student housing. NIACC also operates community education centers in Charles City,
Hampton, Lake Mills, Garner, and Osage. The college offers the first two years toward a bache-
lor’s degree in most fields, over 30 technical career programs, and an array of continuing educa-
tion offerings. Degrees offered include the Associate in Arts, Associate in Science, Associate in
General Studies, and Associate in Applied Science. Nearly 65,000 enrollments are recorded by
the Continuing Education Division each year, and credit students number over 3,300.
Valerie Newhouse, president; Estherville 51334; (712) 362-0434;
www.iowalakes.edu
Iowa Lakes Community College was organized on January 12, 1967, following the official
recognition from the Iowa Department of Education on October 28, 1966. Iowa Lakes merged
with the former Estherville Junior College on July 1, 1968, and with Emmetsburg Community
College on July 1, 1970. The college offers a two-year, college parallel program; preprofessional
programs; 19 career option programs that lead directly into employment or to higher education;
26 vocational-technical programs from one to two years in length; part-time educational programs
for adults; high school completion and high school equivalency programs; secondary exploratory
programs; and evening/weekend programs. Programs are conducted at campuses located through-
out the five-county area. The college has two principal campuses — at Emmetsburg and Esther-
ville — with other campuses at Algona, Spencer, and Spirit Lake. The college is accredited by the
North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. Graduates receive an Associate in Arts de-
gree which is transferable to four-year colleges or an Associate in Science degree upon comple-
tion of technical (career option) programs, and diplomas upon completion of vocational programs.
Total enrollment for the 2009 spring term was 3,852, and the full-time staff numbered 235.
Dr. William G. Giddings, president; Sheldon 51201; (712) 324-5061; (800) 352-4907;
www.nwicc.edu
Northwest Iowa Community College (NCC) is known for its award-winning programs and
quality instruction. Northwest Iowa Community College was organized April 27, 1966. The col-
lege is fully accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. Added benefits
of being affordable and close to home — plus above-average job placement — make NCC a good
choice for many northwest Iowa students.
The college is located on a 269-acre campus one mile west of Sheldon. Northwest Iowa Com-
munity College offers both vocational/technical programs and arts and sciences transfer courses