The new president of NIACC Joel Pedersen is working hard to learn more about the Mason City based college and its impact on the area.
Pedersen took over for Steve Schulz on July 1st.
“Lots of meetings, lots of meeting people, learning. I would say, not too proud to say, lots of questions I’m asking, trying to do campus walks, be at community events. And so staying busy with what I think is the most important part is just trying to listen and learn and build relationships just i would often say that the huge thank you to everyone that’s reached out there to really my team because they understand that the transition that you know can be a little different and they’re just willing to tell me a little bit of background when I have questions and so i think staying busy here a lot with living and learning right now.”
Pedersen says he will continue working on a project to bring a regional center to Franklin County.
“We’re having discussions about the Franklin Center. Some hopes to soon be able to announce more about what’s happening with that in the partnership with West Fork, Belmond-Klemme, and Hampton-Dumont. That’s going to be something that’s kind of right on the top of my list. I’m also preparing to do our new five-year strategic plan. It was extended a year because of my new presidency, but we’ll be working with the University of Northern Iowa to help chart our next five years. A couple items on top of just those daily things that come up that will be bigger things that we’ll be able to share more as we go along.”
Pedersen had been the Chief Administrator of the Central Rivers AEA before accepting the job at NIACC.
