51ÁÔÆæ had an outstanding evening at the Community Colleges for Iowa Convention and Tradeshow on Wednesday, December 4th, bringing home honors that highlight the college’s dedication to excellence and innovation.

Innovation Workspace Earns Outstanding Innovation Award
The 51ÁÔÆæ Innovation Workspace received the Outstanding Innovation Award, recognizing its commitment to creativity, innovation, and continuous improvement. This hub empowers students, entrepreneurs, and community members with design thinking and technology skills through hands-on programs and non-credit certificates. Participants tackle real business challenges, collaborate with local companies, and prototype products using professional-grade digital manufacturing tools—showcasing 51ÁÔÆæ’s dedication to building the workforce of the future.

“The Innovation Workspace has been a critical asset for developing the foundation of my business,” said Josh Jeske, founder of Terraform Tillage. “The people, equipment, and resources have served to invigorate the surrounding communities, and the innovations developed here are certain to impact the world at large!”

Dr. Rachel McGuire Named 51ÁÔÆæ’s Staff of the Year
Dr. Rachel McGuire, Vice President of Student Development and Success, was recognized as 51ÁÔÆæ’s Outstanding Staff of the Year for her unwavering dedication to students and transformative leadership. Over her 31-year career at 51ÁÔÆæ, Rachel has championed student success, spearheading initiatives like the Wellness Hub and Food Pantry, and implementing systems to support students’ academic and social needs. Known for her student-centric approach, Rachel regularly engages with students, attends their events, and celebrates their achievements. Her leadership and commitment have left a huge impact on 51ÁÔÆæ.

“Dr. Rachel McGuire is incredibly deserving of this award,” said 51ÁÔÆæ Director of Admissions, Anne Boyer. “Not only does she advocate for all 51ÁÔÆæ students identifying and implementing programming and opportunities to see students succeed, but she does the same for her staff and colleagues. 51ÁÔÆæ is a better place for all through her leadership and commitment to success.”

Rodney Zehr Honored as 51ÁÔÆæ’s Faculty of the Year
Rodney Zehr, a developmental Mathematics instructor, was awarded 51ÁÔÆæ’s Outstanding Faculty of the Year for his dedication to student success and educational excellence. Rodney’s ability to meet the diverse needs of underprepared and underserved students is exceptional, ensuring every student has the tools to succeed. Beyond the classroom, he contributes through campus committees and volunteer efforts in his church and community. Known for his passion, compassion, and inclusiveness, Rodney fosters a supportive learning environment where all students feel valued, exemplifying what it means to be an outstanding educator.

“Rodney’s recognition as the 2024 recipient of the Outstanding Community College Faculty Award is so well-deserved,” said 51ÁÔÆæ Director of Learning Services, Dalila Sajadian. “His dedication to his students and his impact both in and out of the classroom are truly inspiring. We’re proud to celebrate this achievement with him!”

Celebrating Excellence at 51ÁÔÆæ
Reflecting on the awards, 51ÁÔÆæ President Joel Pederson shared:
“At 51ÁÔÆæ, we celebrate the dedication of our employees. Their commitment to education and community inspires us all, proving that together, we can create a brighter future for every student. We thank them for their remarkable contributions and for making a lasting impact.”

These awards reflect 51ÁÔÆæ’s commitment to fostering innovation, supporting student success, and making a meaningful impact on the community. Congratulations to the Innovation Workspace, Dr. Rachel McGuire, and Rodney Zehr for their outstanding achievements!

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The annual Pathways to Success event on Friday, April 26, 2024 will honor 51ÁÔÆæ Alumna Lori Ryerkerk as Keynote Speaker. The event will be held in the North Iowa Community Auditorium on the 51ÁÔÆæ campus at 2:00pm.

Ryerkerk, a Mason City native and 1981 graduate of 51ÁÔÆæ, will be honored for her accomplishments with the Outstanding Alumna award. Ryerkerk is Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President of Celanese Corporation, a Fortune 500 global chemical and specialty materials company based in Dallas, Texas.

Other awards presented at the event will include, 1989 51ÁÔÆæ graduate Beth Bilyeu, Executive Director of the Forest City Economic Development, who will be honored as Distinguished Alumna, and numerous current students being recognized with the 51ÁÔÆæ Student Leadership award.

The 51ÁÔÆæ Alumni Association hosts Pathways to Success annually to honor accomplished alumni and to recognize a select group of students for their scholarship, leadership, and character. The public is invited, there is no cost to attend. Sponsors include the Cerro Gordo County Board of Supervisors, Tony & Sue Coloff, and 51ÁÔÆæ Student Government.

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This year’s Community Colleges for Iowa Awards convention shone a spotlight on three outstanding individuals from 51ÁÔÆæ (51ÁÔÆæ), who were celebrated for their exceptional contributions. The honorees, receiving the Outstanding Alumni Award, Outstanding Faculty Award, and Outstanding Staff Award, exemplify excellence and dedication.

Anthony (Tony) Coloff 62’ was presented with the Outstanding Alumni Award, given to a graduate of any of Iowa’s Community Colleges who has shown leadership and commitment to their community. Molly Knoll, Director of Institutional Advancement at 51ÁÔÆæ, had the following to say about Coloff, “We are proud to recognize Tony for his leadership with this state-wide award. He embodies the College’s core values of success, engagement, and leadership. Tony is a dedicated ambassador for 51ÁÔÆæ throughout our region. He, along with his wife Sue, have been generous supporters of the Alumni Association’s annual Pathways to Success, provided annual scholarships, and supported the Keeping 51ÁÔÆæ First campaign to help build the STEM center.” Tony is a 1962 graduate of 51ÁÔÆæ’s predecessor Mason City Junior College. He has served on the 51ÁÔÆæ Alumni Advisory Board since 2004, demonstrating 20 years of dedicated service supporting and promoting the College. 

Dr. Heather DeWaard-Flickinger was awarded the Outstanding Faculty Award. DeWaard-Flickinger, a 51ÁÔÆæ Health, Wellness, and Leisure instructor, is active on college-wide committees, champions new initiatives, and embraces challenges through collaboration and the pursuit of excellence. As CETL Director and advocate for mental health and college wellness, she regularly plans professional development to support new initiatives. In addition, DeWaard-Flickinger leads the campus physical fitness and wellness program, engages with regional colleagues to develop conference opportunities, and takes time to make the rounds on campus to check in on the well-being of colleagues. 51ÁÔÆæ President Dr. Steve Schulz said, “Heather is an exceptional instructor, a consummate professional, and a strong leader among the faculty. She is an outstanding representative of 51ÁÔÆæ’s faculty.”

Dr. Shelly Schmit, Vice President of Institutional Effectiveness and Organization Development at 51ÁÔÆæ, was given the Outstanding Staff Award. Schulz praised Schmit, “Shelly has dedicated the last 25 years of her professional career to making 51ÁÔÆæ a better place for the staff and students. Her tireless work ethic and empathy for others make her an outstanding awardee in this category.” Schmit is responsible for human resources, professional development, institutional research, accreditation, and a variety of other duties.

Congratulations to these three well deserved winners.

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Joel Everist, Vocal Music Instructor and Director of Choral Activities at 51ÁÔÆæ (51ÁÔÆæ), has been awarded the Teacher Tenure Award by the Iowa High School Musical Association. This award was developed to recognize persons who have spent more than 30, 35, or 40 years of contracted high school music instruction in the state of Iowa or any year in excess of 30 upon notification of intentions to retire. Everist was presented with the Award at the All State Music Festival Concert in Ames, IA on Saturday, November 18^th.

“It is an honor to be recognized by the Iowa High School Music Association.  I am especially grateful to have spent the past 31 years with Rachel Everist as my teaching partner in the classroom.  I would like to express my thanks to all of the families, students, parents, guardians, alumni, staff, and administrations for their support.,” said Everist.  “Arts education empowers us to learn together, creating and connecting with each other.  I look forward to continuing to build community through music education in North Iowa as Director of Choral Activities for 51ÁÔÆæ!”

Everist has conducted choirs appearing at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, The Kennedy Center, Orchestra Hall, the International Habeneras Festival in Spain, as well as a command performance for the Vice President with the Prime Minister of Japan at the State Department in Washington, D.C.  “Choral Director Magazine” recognized Joel as a national Top Ten Conductor of Note.  He taught for 31 years in the Grammy Award winning signature school music program at Mason City High School.  Joel also served as Director of Choral Activities for Waldorf University from 2016 to 2020. 

Congratulations on this well deserved award!

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The Aspen Institute has named 51ÁÔÆæ as one of the 150 institutions eligible to compete for the $1 million Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence, the nation’s signature recognition of high achievement and performance among two-year colleges. The institutions selected for this honor stand out among more than 1,000 community colleges nationwide as having high and improving levels of student success as well as equitable outcomes for Black and Hispanic students and those from lower-income backgrounds.

“Being one of just two community colleges in Iowa invited to vie for the prestigious Aspen Prize is a testament to 51ÁÔÆæ’s unwavering commitment to student success,” said 51ÁÔÆæ President Steve Schulz. “Receiving this recognition for the sixth consecutive time is a testament to the exceptional dedication and expertise of our outstanding faculty and staff, who continually drive us toward excellence. I am proud of each one of our team members for contributing to this legacy of success!”

The Aspen Prize spotlights exemplary community colleges in order to drive attention to colleges achieving post-graduate success for all students, and is a central way Aspen researches highly effective student success strategies that are shared with the field. The 150 eligible colleges have been invited to submit student success data and narratives about strategies to achieve better and more equitable student outcomes as the next step in an intensive review process that culminates in the naming of the Aspen Prize winner in spring 2025. The eligible colleges represent the diversity and depth of the community college sector. Located in urban, rural, and suburban areas across 30 states, these colleges serve as few as 169 students and as many as 49,619. 

In this first round, eligibility for the Aspen Prize is based on publicly available data. Colleges must show strong, improving, and equitable student outcomes in first-to-second year retention, credentials awarded, and completion and transfer rates. Nationwide, about 15 percent of community colleges have been invited to apply (150 of just under 1,000 public two-year colleges assessed for Prize eligibility). The full list can be accessed on the .

The next steps in the process include:

• April 2024: Announcement of 25 semifinalists, selected based on assessments of extensive data and strategy documents by the Prize selection panel, a group of 16 experts in community colleges, higher education, and workforce training, and interviews with institutional leadership teams
• June 2024: Announcement of 10 finalists, selected by the Prize selection panel
• Fall 2024:  Site visits to each of the ten finalists, during which the Aspen Institute and partners will collect additional information, including employment and earnings data and insights about promising practices
• January 2025: Prize award decisions made by distinguished, independent Prize jury at full-day meeting 
• Spring 2025:  Announcement of the Aspen Prize winner and celebration of the 10 finalists in Washington DC

For a full list of the top 150 eligible institutions and to read more on the selection process, visit
.

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Lansdowne, VA – Oscar Madong, a student at , is one of 60 high-achieving community college students selected to receive the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation’s Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship. The highly competitive national scholarship aims for Cooke Scholars to complete their undergraduate educations with as little debt as possible. The award, which is last dollar funding after all institutional aid, can provide Madong with as much as $55,000 a year to complete a bachelor’s degree.

Madong, from Lake Mills, is a member of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, the National Society of Leadership and Success, Student Government, Collegiate Entrepreneur’s Organization Club, and a student peer tutor in the 51ÁÔÆæ Student Learning Center. Madong plans to transfer to Iowa State University and pursue a Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering.

“There are so many bright and persistent community college students in our nation who we know will thrive at four-year institutions if they can find a way to transfer without being weighed down by a heavy financial burden,” said Seppy Basili, executive director of the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation. “We are excited to welcome yet another cohort of Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholars to our community after learning about them through their applications and seeing their unbound potential.”

Along with financial support, new Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholars will receive comprehensive educational advising to guide them through the process of transitioning to a four-year college and preparing for their careers. Scholars will additionally receive opportunities for internships, study abroad, and graduate school funding, as well as connection to a thriving network of more than 3,000 Cooke Scholars and Alumni.

This year, more than 1,700 students from 448 community colleges applied to receive the Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship. The Foundation evaluated each submission based on students’ academic ability and achievement, financial need, persistence, and leadership.

A list of the 2023 Cooke Transfer Scholars, including their community colleges, can be found .

The Cooke Foundation is dedicated to advancing the education of exceptionally promising students who have financial need. Since 2000, the Foundation has awarded $250 million in scholarships to more than 3,200 students from 8th grade through graduate school, along with comprehensive counseling and other support services. The Foundation has also provided $125 million in grants to organizations that serve such students. 

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Leadership. Service. Fellowship.

The fall 2022 51ÁÔÆæ induction of students into Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) recently added ten students into the largest honor society in higher education. Inductees present for the ceremony were Leah Me Moen, Arely Jazmine Terrones, Madelyn Sue Elwood, Annika Lynn Hemann, Kasey Michael Hemann, Leah Marie Martinez, Brianna Rose Minnis, Elizabeth Rose Muller, Josie Danielle Popp, and Maci JoEllen Shupe.

Additionally, the installation of officers took place, pledging the following team into service: Kaley Meyer, Chapter President; Oscar Madong, Vice President of Leadership; Kai Nelles, Vice President of Scholarship; Kaitlyn Harrison, Vice President of Fellowship; Paige Lubbert, Vice President of Service; Josie Popp, Recording Officer.

51ÁÔÆæ’s chapter, Alpha Psi Beta, is one of more than a thousand chapters on college campuses across the United States, Canada, Germany, the Republic of Palau, Peru, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, the British Virgin Islands, the United Arab Emirates, and the U.S. territorial possessions.

Learn more about 51ÁÔÆæ’s PTK chapter!

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A student’s educational journey doesn’t always follow the same path as others.  Forty-Seven North Iowans found their way back to success this year as they earned their High School Equivalency Degree (HSED) at 51ÁÔÆæ.

Those students celebrated with friends and family at the High School Equivalency Graduation Ceremony on the 51ÁÔÆæ Campus on Thursday night.

“Education opens doors for you” said 51ÁÔÆæ President Dr. Steve Schulz,  “When you’re making decisions stop a moment and ask yourself whether this decision opens a door or closes a door.  I’m telling you that your work to get you here tonight has blown the door wide open.  I’m going to encourage you to not walk through that door but to run through it.  Don’t lose the momentum you have gained.”

Many of the students received scholarship awards to attend 51ÁÔÆæ this year.  Two of the graduates were given full-tuition scholarships.

High School Equivalency Diploma classes are for adults who left high school prior to completing all requirements necessary to receive a high school diploma.

Students make the decision to work toward their high school equivalency diploma for a number of reasons: a desire to enter college or seek better employment, changing requirements in their workplace, or simply the sense of pride that this accomplishment can bring.

Members of the audience cheered as the students crossed the stage to receive their certificates.

Questions or comments?  Email Arian Schuessler, arian.schuessler@51ÁÔÆæ.edu

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Are you interested in attending 51ÁÔÆæ?  Apply Today!

51ÁÔÆæ, founded in 1918, is a nationally-recognized, two-year college located in central North Iowa.  With approximately 3,000 career and transfer students, the College has been recognized by the Aspen Institute as a leading community college in the nation.  51ÁÔÆæ welcomes students from across Iowa, Minnesota, the nation, and the world. The College has served as a leader in student-centered learning, community engagement, and collaborative leadership for more than 100 years.  

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Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) of North Central Iowa celebrated 289 volunteers who served a grand total 7,085 hours for the 2021 – 2022 volunteer year during a luncheon and ceremony at 51ÁÔÆæ last Thursday.

The focus of RSVP of North Central Iowa is childhood literacy.   The three primary volunteer programs are the Reading Buddy Program, the Reading Coach Program and the Pen Pal Program.  Additional volunteer opportunities were fulfilled through the following organizations or activities: Cerro Gordo County Public Health, Hawkeye Harvest Food Bank, Habitat for Humanity ReStore, Cerro Gordo County Emergency Management, Words of Thanks in partnership with KCMR radio station and the BASES fitness class.

The ceremony featured messages from both Alison Mason, RSVP Director, and Patti Hanson, Dean of Continuing Education, followed by a video thank you message from area school teachers, administrators and students for which RSVP volunteers left a positive impact.

51ÁÔÆæ sponsors RSVP of North Central Iowa, which is part of a national network of programs called AmeriCorps Seniors. Learn how you can get involved!

RSVP of North Iowa Bronze volunteer award recipients present for the ceremony. 

During the ceremony, 27 volunteers were recognized to receive service awards based upon their number of volunteer hours.

Bronze Award recipients, who completed 100 – 249 hours were:

• Linda Bottorff
• Jeanne Burgart
• David Curtis
• Elaine Fratzke
• Connie Graber
• Kathy Hanson
• Gayle Heimer
• Robin Koob
• Adriane McKinley
• Marilyn Moore
• Harlan Rodberg
• Phyllis Rush
• Pam Stemmerman
• Karolyn Hornung

Silver Award recipients, who completed 250 – 499 hours were:

Silver volunteer recipients present to receive their award.

• Nickie Baker
• Star Barnes
• Don Gettner
• Sue Hoeft
• Nancy Huber
• Kathy Johnson
• Larry Kollman
• Joyce Nuehring
• Vicki Robertson
• Alan Steckman

Bronze & Silver recipient was Linda Schulter.

Gold RSVP recipient who was present to receive her award.

Gold recipients, who completed 500+ hours were:

• Annette Bruns
• Gwen Suntken

Are you interested in attending 51ÁÔÆæ?  Apply Today!

51ÁÔÆæ, founded in 1918, is a nationally-recognized, two-year college located in central North Iowa.  With approximately 3,000 career and transfer students, the College has been recognized by the Aspen Institute as a leading community college in the nation.  51ÁÔÆæ welcomes students from across Iowa, Minnesota, the nation, and the world. The College has served as a leader in student-centered learning, community engagement, and collaborative leadership for more than 100 years.

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Mason Stevermer, 51ÁÔÆæ graduate

Mason Stevermer, 51ÁÔÆæ Agriculture student, was recently featured in an article on the Minnesota Corn Growers Association Blog for his Future Farmers of America accomplishments. According to the article, , Stevermer was awarded top honors in the Diversified Crop Production category from the Minnesota FFA convention.

51ÁÔÆæ Agriculture Program instructor, Kevin Muhlenbruch said, “Mason Stevermer is an awesome student to work with. He is very personable, strong academic skills, and has a sincere interest, passion in agriculture and farming. With students like Mason, the future of agriculture is very bright.” Congratulations Mason!

Are you interested in attending 51ÁÔÆæ? Apply Today!

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