"Because of You": NICC Honors the Visionary Leaders of the Board of Trustees
Thursday, May 7, 2026
May is School Board Recognition Month, a dedicated time to honor the leaders whose service makes a lasting difference for students, schools and communities. This year’s theme, “Because of You,” highlights the profound impact school board members have across the state.
At Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC), the Board of Trustees serves as the foundation for this mission. As citizen leaders, these nine publicly elected members take on complex challenges and make decisions that affect every student, family, faculty and staff member in the district. Representing the district’s eight counties, they provide essential local oversight to ensure the College remains responsive to community needs.
“Our Trustees are a key link between the College and the communities we serve,” said NICC President Dave Dahms. “They bring forward what our constituents need and expect, and they help us share what the College is doing in return. That connection keeps us focused on what matters most in our communities and ensures we’re delivering the education and training people truly need.”
The Board is responsible for establishing policy, hiring and evaluating the president and upholding the NICC mission to deliver affordable, high-quality education and training. They devote countless hours each year to meetings, preparation and community engagement. Because of their commitment, the district is able to focus on its most important goal: student success.
“I went to a junior college, now community college, for two years on scholarship, lived at home and completed my Associate Degree with no debt,” said Trustee Sue Runyon. “I know that community colleges help many students do the same. Community colleges prepare students for the workforce or further education. NICC is important to our communities and by serving on the Board of Trustees, I hope to see our success continue.”
Community members are encouraged to reach out to their local board member(s) to show their appreciation. Members’ email addresses can be found on our Board of Trustees page.
Please join us in recognizing the Northeast Iowa Community College Board of Trustees:
- Jim Anderson, Chair (Decorah), Serving 1999 - present
- Kathy Gunderson, Vice Chair (Postville), Serving 2009 - present
- John Finley (Elkader), Serving 2021 - present
- Nick Fisch (Dubuque), Serving 2025 - present
- Wendy Knight (Dubuque), Serving 2023 - present
- Gary McAndrew (Peosta), Serving 2021 - present
- Jason Norton (Dubuque), Serving 2025 - present
- Sue Runyon (Fayette), Serving 2016 - present
- Dean Sherman (Manchester), Serving 2022 - present
Because of them, our College continues to provide meaningful opportunities for all students and build a stronger future for our community.