NIACC began as Mason City Junior College in 1918, becoming the first public two-year college in Iowa. The college was first located in the old downtown Mason City High School until 1953, when it moved to the Memorial University Building. In 1965, Mason City Junior College transformed into North Iowa Area Community College (Merged Area II). In 1970, the college moved to its current campus on the rural east edge of Mason City.[5]
Official Seal of Mason City Junior College, active from 1918 to 1965
The Aspen Institute has consistently recognized North Iowa Area Community College as one of the top 150 community colleges in the United States for academic excellence. This recognition spans multiple years, including 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019, and 2024, and as a semi-finalist for the 2027 award cycle. [6][7]
Academics
NIACC is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission to administer Associate degree programs. [8]Those being, Associate of Arts, Associate of Science, Associate of Applied Science, and Associate in General Studies. Otherwise, Diplomas are given for programs less than 30 semester hours. [9]
College academic programs are divided into seven 'Meta Majors' coresponding to different career fields. [10] Those being:
Agriculture
Business
Heath Science
Humanities
Human and Public Services
STEM
Skilled Trades
Community Educational Services
The main campus of North Iowa Area Community College is located on the eastern side of Mason City, Iowa. NIACC also has regional centers in Charles City, Forest City, Garner, Hampton, Lake Mills, and Osage. These centers provide general education courses, career training programs, continuing education classes as well as concurrent enrollment for area high-school students. [11]
John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center
The John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center and its sister organization the North Iowa Small Business Development Center are located on NIACC's campus. Its namesake John Pappajohn was born in St. Luke's, Greece in 1928 and immigrated to Mason City, Iowa when he was nine months old. He attended the University of Iowa, and later became a Des Moines-based venture capitalist. [12] In 1997, Pappajohn donated $25 million to establish John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Centers at five Iowa-based higher education institutions. NIACC is home to the only center located on a community college campus, other centers are located at the University of Iowa, Iowa State University, the University of Northern Iowa, and Drake University. [13]
The NIACC Pappajohn Center provides business counseling, star-up and expansion services, as well as financial advice to Iowa and North Iowa entrepreneurs. The adjoining North Iowa Area Small Business Development Center provides services to small-business in local counties, and is federally funded by the U.S. Small Business Administration. [14]
Student Life
North Iowa Area Community College offers over 20 clubs, hosts multiple students avidities throughout each semester, and provides on campus-campus residence and dining options. [15][16] For other institutional supports, NIACC provides access to academic advisors, wellness professionals through the wellness hub, a food pantry, carrer advising and other academic supports. [17] NIACC residential students reside in the Campus View Housing Complex, an apartment-style housing center on the north side of campus. Dining and food service are provided by the Campus Dining Center, as well as the Food Court which is located in the Activity Center. [18]
Campus View Student Housing Complex
Library
The NIACC library is open to all college students and the general public. Through the Iowa Open Access program, anyone with a library card through a participating library and access and check-out NIACC Library academic materials. The Library is located at the center of campus within the Beem Center. [19]
Performing Arts
The North Iowa Area Auditorium is located at NIACC. The auditorium, situated at NIACC, is the largest theater in North-Central Iowa. It was inaugurated in 1978, with the presence of Mason City native, and Grammy winning musical composer Meredith Willson. [20] The annual NIACC Performing Arts and Leadership Series is hosted in the auditorium.[21] The concourse of the auditorim is host to the NIACC Gallery, an art gallery that is host to artworks created by NIACC students, as well regional and national artists. [22]
For instrumental music the community college sponsors a Concert Band, and a Jazz Band. For vocal music, the college has a non-auditioned Concert Choir, and the NIACC Singers, an auditioned ensemble group. [23][24]
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