The Catalyst

In this episode of The Catalyst, we bridge the gap between regional talent and the skilled workforce. Kyra Bellrichard (NICC) and Diane Krentz (JB Holland Construction) join us to discuss Career Pathway Certificates (CPCs)—short-term, high-impact credentials designed to get students into high-demand careers quickly. We explore how these stackable certificates remove financial barriers through tuit...

At Northeast Iowa Community College, we believe that education should be accessible to everyone, regardless of the barriers they face. In this episode of The Catalyst , we sit down with our Director of Workforce Programming and Initiatives to pull back the curtain on the essential support systems that drive student success. We take a deep dive into WIOA (Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act) T...

How do we bridge the gap between cutting-edge technology and workplace behavior? This episode of The Catalyst features a deep dive into implementing generative AI with clarity and compliance with guests Celina Peerman, Destery Hildenbrand and Skye Mercer. Our guests share final wisdom on how to move from "AI curiosity" to "AI strategy," ensuring your team remains competitive and burnout-free.

What’s keeping local business owners up at night? In this episode of The Catalyst, host Amy Lasack sits down with Greg Willging and Alison Holten from the NICC Contract Training team. They discuss how NICC serves as a "one-stop shop" for employers, identifying critical pain points—from the aging workforce "brain drain" to technical skills gaps—and turning those challenges into customized, impactfu...

Celebrate the season with The Catalyst as we turn the microphone over to the heart of the College. This episode features holiday messages of joy and forward-looking insights from the dedicated staff and faculty who ensure every NICC student has the resources to succeed.

What does it actually take to join a collegiate sports program? Softball student-athlete Natalie Nenne joins The Catalyst to discuss the intensity of game days, the importance of team culture and why "dugout energy" is the secret weapon for the NICC softball team. Tune in for a look at the athleticism, communication and time-management skills required to succeed in the classroom and on the field.

Discover the vital role NICC plays in supporting students and the regional workforce. Guests Chris Entringer and Joni Knopp demonstrate how their collaborative Career Services team helps students navigate everything from course registration and transfer planning to resume assistance and career assessment for a successful career journey. They detail the powerful connections forged through targeted...

Is college support only for full-time or "struggling" students? We sit down with Amy Gaffney, Vice President of Student Services, and Jennifer Wood, Director of Accessibility Services, to debunk the biggest myths about student support. Hear rewarding stories of students who transferred to four-year programs thanks to early support, discover the essential, non-loan assistance provided by the Studen...

What truly makes an NICC educational experience high-quality? In this special Thanksgiving episode of The Catalyst, Director of Operations for Business and Community Solutions Kristi Flack reveals the detailed commitment of her team to flawlessly orchestrate everything from complex corporate training events to summer kids' camps. We explore the essential role of the Operations division as the ulti...

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-de...

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 c...

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 Advance...

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 expe...

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 champion...

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 a...

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 colleg...

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 a...

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...

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...

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 t...

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 recru...

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 t...