Friday, May 16, 2014

The American Veterinary Medicine Association (AVMA) Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities has awarded initial accreditation to the Associate of Applied Science-Large Animal Veterinary Technician program at the Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC) Calmar campus.

The program’s initial accreditation is an important first step by the AVMA, the nationally-recognized governing body that oversees veterinary technician programs, according to Christopher Harvey, D.V.M., director of the Large Animal Veterinary Technician program.

“The accreditation process worked out really well. To be awarded accreditation, the AVMA requires the College to complete a very comprehensive task list. One of the things that impressed the AVMA is that the NICC program is a veterinary technician program that focuses on large animals. Ours is currently the only one of its kind that focuses on large animals in Iowa, and we’re one of only three in the U.S.,” Harvey explained.

Harvey highlighted other unique features of the program, particularly an internship requirement for students at the Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine. The internship experience for Large Animal Veterinary Technician students was developed in collaboration with the university, and the College of Veterinary Medicine is a cornerstone of one of the world's largest concentrations of animal heath professionals. NICC students will derive great benefit from hands-on learning experiences at Iowa State, Harvey added.

The program opened in fall 2011, and the degree prepares students for technician work in all aspects of veterinary medicine for large animals. The skills students acquire prepare them for work in veterinary clinics and many sectors of the veterinary industry, such as sales or corporate and private animal nursing. Large Animal Veterinary Technician program graduates may also transfer their credits to continue their education at a four-year college or university to pursue a veterinary science or veterinarian degree.

At commencement on May 15, NICC faculty and staff celebrated the program’s first graduating class. The 2014 Large Animal Veterinary Technician program graduates are:



Emily Arens, Waucoma

Stephanie Bessler, Protivin

Emily Deetz, Charles City

Shannon Deetz, Charles City

Erica Eastman, Riceville

Hilliary Moravend, Guttenberg

Julie Jones, Hopkinton

Jessie Moser, Colesburg

Nicole Wurzer, Waucoma

Thursday, May 8, 2014


Looking forward to our new students, 63 as of May 6th. New Student orientation is Tuesday, May 15th

Friday, May 2, 2014


Thank you to Summer Johnson, Clare Cook, Jodi Balk, Foster Harrison, and Jed Byers (not pictured) for helping out at the NICC both at State FFA Convention