NIACC Awarded $1 Million to Expand Career Academy Opportunities

Four Iowa community colleges, including NIACC in Mason City, have been awarded nearly $4 million combined in competitive grants through the state’s Career Academy Incentive Fund.

NIACC gets $1 million to establish a regional center within its main campus in Mason City that serves students from six school districts. Plans call for the construction of a dedicated building for its dental hygiene career academy, renovate existing space for the electrical technology career academy, and update its agriculture and machinist career academies.

 NIACC President Joel Pedersen said, “This investment is a powerful step forward for NIACC and the communities we serve. Expanding our career academies means more high school students will have the opportunity to earn college credit, explore high demand careers, and gain hands-on experience while still in school. We’re grateful for the state’s support as we strengthen partnerships with local school districts and employers to build a skilled workforce and create even more pathways for students to find their future right here in North Iowa.”

 The Career Academy Incentive Fund creates and supports partnerships among community colleges, schools, local businesses and community stakeholders. These academies provide students with a variety of opportunities and pathways to achieve postsecondary success.

 Work-based learning attainment is at an all-time high in the state, with 45% of all Iowa high school seniors from the class of 2025 achieving at least one work-based learning experience while in high school. Student participation is up nearly 20 percentage points over the last two years, increasing from 31.7% in 2024 and 25.5% in 2023.