Iowa official register

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EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS 

 

COMMUNITY COLLEGES 

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.  

AREA I - NORTHEAST IOWA COMMUNITY COLLEGE 

Dr. Penelope Wills, president; Calmar 52132; Peosta 52068 

[phone] or [phone] (Calmar) 

[phone] or [phone] (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. 

AREA II - NORTH IOWA AREA COMMUNITY COLLEGE 

Debra A. Derr, Ph.D., president; Mason City 50401; [phone]; 

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. 

AREA III - IOWA LAKES COMMUNITY COLLEGE 

Valerie Newhouse, president; Estherville 51334; [phone]; 

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. 

AREA IV - NORTHWEST IOWA COMMUNITY COLLEGE 

Dr. William G. Giddings, president; Sheldon 51201; [phone]; [phone]; 

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 

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