Behind the Mic: How Northeast Iowa Community College’s Gold-Medal Podcast Connects a Region

Behind every college campus is a web of quiet success stories: a non-traditional student rediscovering their path, an innovative industry partnership sparking local jobs or an athletic program building team spirit from the ground up.

At Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC), a creative team saw an opportunity to bring them directly into the ears and lives of their colleagues and community.

That vision gave rise to The Catalyst, an energetic, biweekly podcast designed to pull back the curtain on campus life and showcase the profound impact of community-driven education. Now, that vision has earned regional acclaim: The Catalyst was recently awarded the Gold Medallion for Audio Content in District 5 by the National Council for Marketing & Public Relations (NCMPR)-top honors across a region spanning nine states, Manitoba, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.

Amy Lasack, vice president of business and community solutions at NICC, hosts the show, bringing listeners directly into conversations with the people shaping the institution.

What makes The Catalyst resonate so strongly with listeners and award judges alike is its authentic focus on real-world impact. Each episode answers a simple yet vital question: What's happening at the College, and why does it matter to our community?

Whether highlighting local industry leaders collaborating on customized workforce training or giving voice to students navigating new career paths, the podcast serves as a living library of regional growth and opportunity.

Behind the smooth audio and compelling narratives is a dedicated creative crew working behind the scenes bring each episode to life-balancing tight production schedules with a commitment to storytelling excellence.

"Receiving the Gold Medallion Award is an incredible recognition of our team's commitment to telling the College's story in an engaging, modern way," Lasack shared. "It proves that when you focus on authentic human experiences, people want to listen."

In an era where digital noise can make genuine communication difficult, The Catalyst proves that the simplest concept-a good story, well told-can spark real connection.

Tune In

New episodes of The Catalyst drop every two weeks. To listen to award-winning stories, explore recent episodes or subscribe, visit nicc.edu/podcast.