More than a college: The Hageman family’s 45-year journey

When you trace the history of the Hageman family, you're also tracing the history of Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC). Their story isn't just about earning degrees; it is a multi-generational narrative that mirrors the evolution of the College itself-from its days as Area One Vocational-Technical School to the comprehensive regional hub it is today.

It began in the late 1970s with Lloyd Hageman. When Lloyd enrolled in the welding certificate program during his senior year of high school in 1977 - 1978, the decade-old institution looked quite different than it does now.

"I wanted to learn practical skills that would benefit our family farm and NICC gave me exactly that," Lloyd recalls. "The training helped me take on more work myself and improved what I could do on the farm and in the future."

Lloyd's time at the Calmar campus set a foundation of practical, career-focused education that would eventually draw the rest of his family in. But it would be nearly three decades before his wife, Mary, began her own chapter with the College.

By the time Mary decided to return to school, the institution had long since become Northeast Iowa Community College. She enrolled in 2005, balancing her studies with a part-time job at the College.

"At first I felt out of place and was scared half to death," Mary admits. "But my instructors were incredibly supportive. They welcomed me, encouraged me and helped me feel at home here."

She didn't realize it then, but the College would continue to be a second home for her for the next 20 years. Mary graduated in 2007 with her Associate of Arts degree, focusing on accounting clerk and administrative assistant coursework. That same year marked a pivotal era for NICC, with voters passing a bond levy that would spur major renovations and the construction of new facilities like the Wilder Business Center, where she greets visitors today.

"Watching NICC grow has been incredible," Mary says. "So much has changed-new programs, new and remodeled buildings, technology and expanded opportunities. But the heart of the College stays the same. It's still a place that truly cares about its students and their success."

Five of the six Hageman children followed in their parents' footsteps, each carving out a unique path that showcases the breadth of programs NICC offers.

Caitlin was the first of the next generation, completing general education courses from 2008 - 2010. After transferring to the University of Northern Iowa, she realized the personalized instruction at NICC was what she needed to advance her career in healthcare. She returned to earn her nursing degree, benefiting from the newly renovated health and science labs that her mother had seen built.

Noland took a different route, looking toward the future of energy. He completed the wind turbine program in 2011, right as NICC was gaining national recognition by the Aspen Institute as one of the top community colleges in the country.

Kevin and Dylan focused on the skilled trades that have been the College's backbone since it was established in 1966. Kevin completed the electrical program (2014 - 2017) and now specializes in low-voltage installations. Dylan immersed himself in the heavy trades, completing the heavy equipment operator (2016), CDL (2015) and carpentry (2015 - 2016) programs.
"I've spent most of my life working outdoors and I knew an office job wasn't the right fit for me," Dylan said. "My experience at NICC was especially valuable because the hands-on learning really suited my style."

Quentin, the youngest to attend, graduated from the HVAC program in 2021. He entered the workforce immediately with Birch Heating in Dubuque, continuing the family tradition of turning technical training into a solid career.

"The knowledge I gained at NICC really stuck with me," Quentin said. "It gave me the training and technical understanding I needed to feel confident in the field."

Today, the Hageman family story is woven into the fabric of NICC. From Lloyd's welding sparks in 1977 to Quentin's HVAC certification in 2021, they have experienced nearly 45 years of the College's history firsthand.

"NICC has shaped our family's story and careers in countless ways," Mary reflects. "It's provided the education, support and opportunities that have helped build our futures and achieve our goals. It's more than a college. It's a cornerstone of our family's success."