Coming full circle: From NICC Daycare Kid to Cresco Center Director

Friday, May 2, 2025

For Ryan, it's more than just a job. It's a personal mission rooted in his own journey—from a young boy at the NICC daycare to leading the Cresco Center with vision and heart.

For Ryan Kreitzer, Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC) has never been just a school—it’s been a thread woven through his life story. His first memories of NICC go back to his early childhood.

“My first interaction was when I was little. My mom was taking classes in her late 30s to get her degree and would drop me off at the NICC Child Development Center at the Calmar campus,” he recalls. “So NICC has in a way always been a part of my life growing up.”

That early connection deepened thanks to his family’s legacy at the College. “My great uncle was the Howard-Winneshiek School District guidance counselor and helped in bringing NICC to Cresco to build the concurrent and adult education programs,” Ryan explains. “He talked immensely about the possibilities ahead for not just me but all the students in the school district.”

By high school, Ryan was already stepping into those possibilities. “I started taking classes here at the Cresco Center my junior year and ended up leaving high school with about a year of college already completed!”

That head start was more than just a timesaver—it gave him a solid foundation for the road ahead. “My biggest takeaways were that it allowed me to jump ahead in my schooling,” he says. “There are things in college classes you need to do that may not be asked of you in a high school setting. It gave me exposure to the habits you need to be successful in college.”

After graduation from high school, Ryan enrolled at Iowa Central Community College, where he played football and earned an associate’s degree in Business Administration. From there, he transferred to the University of Iowa.

During his senior year, he landed what many sports fans would call a dream job—working in the front office for the NBA’s Denver Nuggets as a sales and marketing associate. A stint with the Minnesota Timberwolves followed, but ultimately, Ryan returned to school and, in May 2024, earned his B.A. in Sports Management Business Studies from the University of Iowa.

Ryan’s path back to NICC came in an unexpected way. He originally applied for a sales position, but the role had already been filled. During the follow-up call, he learned about an opening for a Transportation Program Developer. After some quick research, he applied and got the job. A year later, the opportunity to return to his hometown as Director of the Cresco Center felt like the perfect next step.

“As soon as I saw the Center Director role open up, I knew I wanted to be back in Cresco, serving the community that shaped me,” he says.

In his current role, no two days are the same. Ryan spends much of his time guiding students through course planning and career exploration while also building relationships with local businesses to align educational programs with workforce needs. His work is all about connection—linking students, education and opportunity.

Of course, Ryan is quick to acknowledge that none of it happens in isolation. “Center staff members Hallie Gragert and Annie Fye are key to making all of these initiatives come to life, and I want to give them credit for all of their hard work and dedication!” he says.

This summer, Ryan and his team are especially excited about upcoming programs at the Cresco Center. “We’re offering a wide variety of youth camps that are both fun and educational—like Youth Welding, Challenge Mania, Tie Dye, Kids in the Kitchen and our ever-popular STEAM Camp,” he shares. “And, of course, our Be Your Own Boss camp, which encourages creativity and entrepreneurship.”

The center is also expanding adult education offerings and continuing to support the local community in every way possible. “If you’re looking for space to hold professional meetings or trainings, please reach out. We’d love to host or help you get connected!” Ryan says.

For Ryan, it's more than just a job. It's a personal mission rooted in his own journey—from a young boy at the NICC daycare to leading the Cresco Center with vision and heart.

“I was born and raised right here in Cresco and grew up on a small farm just south of town,” he says. And now, he's helping others grow right where his own journey began.

Learn more about the NICC Cresco Center at nicc.edu/cresco.