The Catalyst

For Northeast Iowa businesses and community members, financial aid isn't just for recent high school graduates. It's the engine that supports our local talent pipeline. Join NICC Financial Aid Director Randy Mashek and Assistant Director Dawn Fleming to learn all about financial aid at NICC, from the Iowa Last Dollar Scholarship, which provides free tuition for adults and students entering high-demand careers, to the simpl...

The world of competitive gaming is exploding on college campuses, and it’s about far more than just losing at Mario Kart! 🎮

In this episode of The Catalyst, host Amy Lasack dives into the high-stakes, strategy-driven world of collegiate esports with NICC student-athlete Christopher Turnis, captain of the Valorant team.

Christopher, who is balancing a rigorous academic schedule with his athletic commitments, shares what it's...

The way we build, connect and power the world is changing—and NICC is leading the charge! 💡

In this forward-thinking episode of The Catalyst, we sit down with Deans Mark Gerein and Greg Moklestad to dive deep into the revolution known as Industry 4.0, the interconnectedness of automation, data and manufacturing, and how it's redefining careers.

The Deans take us inside the newly renovated Advanced Technology Center and disc...

Just in time for Halloween, The Catalyst pulls back the curtain on the paranormal activity that haunts Northeast Iowa. We sit down with the Great River Investigative Paranormal Society (G.R.I.P.S), a community-focused team dedicated not to chasing ghosts but to telling the untold stories of those who came before us.

In this special episode, we explore their methodology and sharing the unique experiences they’ve had at Iowa'...

In this episode of The Catalyst, we pull back the curtain on competitive college dance, sitting down with the NICC Dance Coach Kylie Kirman. She’ll share a unique perspective on leadership in the world of dance, where artistic expression meets intense athleticism. Learn about the physical and mental demands placed on college dance athletes and how the team builds the teamwork required for championship performances.

What...

Navigating college should not be a solo mission. Are you maximizing your investment in education and career planning?

In this episode of The Catalyst, we sit down with two of NICC's most experienced academic advisors, Katie Kime and Lindsey Haas, to reveal the strategic advantage their role provides. They share decades of insights on supporting students—from the nervous high schooler to the busy adult learner—and discus...

In this inspiring episode, Ryan Kreitzer shares his unique journey from attending daycare at the Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar campus to leading the Cresco Center as its director. With deep family ties to the College — including his mother’s return to education and his great uncle’s role in founding the center — Ryan’s story is one of legacy, purpose and coming home.

After earning college credits in high school, s...

In this episode, host Amy Lasack is joined by Nic Hockenberry, director of workforce programming at Greater Dubuque Development Corporation, and Amy Green, director of program sales, contract training and outreach services at Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC), to explore how Dubuque is preparing its workforce for a rapidly changing future.

Together, they unpack the transformative impact of artificial intelligence, rob...

Listen in as Amy and entrepreneur and "Super User of AI" Susan Frew dive into the innovative power of artificial intelligence. Susan moves past "digital denial" to reveal how leaders can strategically leverage AI as a powerful assistant—not a replacement—to achieve a competitive advantage. She shares the necessity of mapping existing workflows before integration and the strategic shift required to delegate time-consuming t...

Amy sits down with NICC Head Baseball Coach Conner Klostermann to talk about the inaugural season of the new baseball program. Coach Klostermann shares his blueprint for success, from recruiting top student-athletes to building a culture of character and community. We also get an exclusive look at the highly anticipated Field of Dreams game on Oct. 10 against the University of Dubuque—a milestone event with over 600 fans r...

Host Amy Lasack talks with Erin Shaw, Strategic Planning Manager at Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC) about soft skills and their critical role in organizations. Erin shares her preference for the term "real skills" in lieu of soft skills because they are actually difficult skills for individuals to master and apply to workplace environments. While employers might be hiring individuals for their technical skills, for...

Amy Lasack chats with Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC) Athletic Director, Nick Weinmeister, to learn more about the transformation athletics will bring to the shared experience for students. The new sports at NICC join current sports offerings Esports and sports shooting; they include baseball, softball, dance and men's and women's cross country. Amy shares with listeners the athletic recruiting successes Nick, his ...

Ever wonder what it takes to lead a thriving community college? On our very first episode of The Catalyst, host Amy talks with NICC Interim President Dave Dahms about his unique journey from the private sector to higher education. Dave shares how his passion for customer service and professional development guides his leadership. We'll dive into the critical role of community colleges in shaping the workforce and get an in...