SOUTH SIOUX CITY, NE - Dr. Cyndi Hanson, executive director of the Northeast Community College South Sioux City extended campus, said that many Siouxland residents may not realize the extended campus offers more than 20 degree programs that can be completed right in South Sioux City.
“We get feedback from employers in the area to be sure we are teaching relevant information for job placement,” Hanson said. “And we are constantly reviewing the region’s needs to develop new programs to be offered.”
The extended campus has been located at 1001 College Way in South Sioux City since 2011.
“The building is beautifully designed with classrooms and study areas organized into ‘pods,’ so students can interact with each other before and after classes in a comfortable setting. It is a warm, inviting and positive environment - not the ‘institutional’ feel a lot of colleges have,” Hanson said.
The space also affords many opportunities for hands-on learning in nurse aide, chemistry, biology, math and other classes.
All of these amenities add up to what Hanson calls “the full college experience.”
“We have student activities at least monthly, student clubs, support services, a bookstore and career services,” she said.
The extended campus currently counts a multicultural club; Enactus, an entrepreneurial club; international honor society Phi Theta Kappa; and a soccer club among its activities. Hanson said a health studies club is also in the works.
In addition to the main building, the South Sioux City extended campus houses the Industrial Training Building, which provides hands-on learning for students in several technical areas, including the welding program.
“Students can earn industry-recognized (welding) certification credentials in just nine months, fast-tracking into a high-demand, high-wage career,” Hanson said.
Hanson also noted that the South Sioux City extended campus is planning to begin a business diploma program in January. Specially designed for working adults, the program follows a hybrid format, in which students meet face-to-face one night a week and complete the rest of the assignments online before the next class.
“It is a great way to finish a degree you may have postponed earlier in your life,” Hanson said.
Another new program Northeast’s South Sioux City extended campus has launched for fall is Trending Topics, Great Gatherings, Insightful Information and Friday Fun, or “TGIF.” These once-a-month Friday gatherings are local and seasonal in nature, and Hanson said they offer a great opportunity to make new friends and learn at the same time.
Some of the TGIF events planned so far include an exploration of personal and practical safety tips for all ages as well as a grandparent/grandchild fall craft. Hanson said the event is planned for a day the South Sioux City public schools are out of session and that participants do not have to be grandparents to attend.
September’s TGIF, “The Great Railroad War,” will meet Friday, September 15, from 1-2:30 p.m. at the extended campus. Dr. Rudy Daniels will discuss the role of the American railroads during war times. Cost of the event is $15.
“(TGIF) can be enjoyed by lifelong Siouxlanders, newcomers to Siouxland, history buffs, technology enthusiasts and everyone in between,” Hanson said. “As the shorter days draw near, it is easy to hole up in our houses and turn into ourselves, but TGIF provides a great reason to get up and out of the house.”
A native of Castana, IA, Hanson received her Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources Management from Briar Cliff College, now Briar Cliff University, in Sioux City, and her Master’s degree in Adult Education and Leadership from Drake University in Des Moines. She earned her Doctor of Education degree with an emphasis in Education Administration from the University of South Dakota.
Hanson said one of her favorite things about working at the Northeast South Sioux City extended campus is the positive spirit of everyone who works there.
“We truly come to work every day excited to help a student succeed. While we can’t go to class or do homework for students, we are here to listen, cheerlead, celebrate and offer support. Each employee here knows why we exist: for the students. And what we are here to do: inspire success.”
In addition to South Sioux City and its main campus in Norfolk, Northeast Community College operates extended campuses in O’Neill and West Point and regional offices in Ainsworth and Hartington.
The South Sioux City extended campus can be contacted at (402) 241-6400.