Strategic Plan

Strategic planning at NICC is ongoing, systematic, inclusive and collaborative, involving faculty and staff, students, partners, community members and more. The strategic plan is the guiding document that holds the College employees mutually accountable for achieving strategic goals and making data-driven decisions by providing clear, consistent goals that move NICC forward through continuous improvement.

The Board of Trustees approves the NICC strategic plan, which follows a three-year cycle with annual outcome reports.

2025-28 Strategic Priorities and Objectives

Two NICC employees talk with two students outside of the Peosta main building.Revitalize Our Culture

Achieve an environment that values collaboration, trust, growth, development, and community.

  • Grow employee engagement through enhanced communication, professional development, and a culture of connection.
  • Boost operational efficiency by fostering stronger cross-departmental collaboration and utilizing creative solutions to streamline processes and eliminate redundancies.

Three Paramedic students work with a mannequin in the lab.Empower Learners

Deliver high-quality, dynamic experiences to support persistence, achievement, and well-being.

  • Optimize academic program offerings and expand dynamic educational pathways to meet student and industry needs.
  • Enhance student engagement outside of the classroom.
  • Ensure current and future learner needs are met through wraparound support services.

An NICC instructor presents at a workshop in the Dubuque Center.Amplify Community Partnerships

Cultivate strong relationships to respond to workforce demands and enhance community vitality.

  • Intentionally engage and collaborate with employers, community entities, and educational organizations.
  • Cultivate a sense of belonging and connection from first impression through a lifetime of engagement. 

An NICC career services staff member works with a student.Lead with Intention

Make innovative, future-ready, and data-informed decisions that harness our strengths to sustain the college.

  • Integrate a data warehouse into decision-making as the mechanism for transparent, reliable, and accessible data.
  • Align a comprehensive marketing and recruitment strategy with the College and budget priorities, ensuring integration and responsible use of resources.
  • Use data to guide resource allocation, align budgeting with strategic priorities, and enhance the financial sustainability of the college.

Contact Us About Our Strategic Plan

Kathy Nacos-Burds
Kathleen Nacos-Burds, Ph.D.
Vice President of Teaching and Learning
  • nacos-burdsk@nicc.edu
  • 844.642.2338, ext. 2135