Local Excellence, National Recognition

Nationwide innovation begins right here at Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC), as Vice President of Business and Community Solutions Amy Lasack, has been named a Top 20 Continuing Educator in the nation for 2026 by Learning Resources Network (LERN), a national organization dedicated to supporting community and continuing education.

Out of more than 2,000 practitioners considered, Lasack was recognized for her work in deepening relationships with regional employers to create collaborative opportunities for growth and innovation.

"Ms. Lasack is on the cutting edge of our field and is making a significant contribution to the field," noted William A. Draves, CPP, CAE, president of LERN, in the LERN News press release.

She was also recently named an IOWA 500 business leader by the Corridor Business Journal for the second consecutive year. This list recognizes the executives and changemakers driving Iowa's business landscape.

Lasack has spent nearly 25 years working within Iowa's community college system, bringing broad experience in workforce development, education leadership and business collaboration. She believes the workforce is an ecosystem and that education works best when it adapts to learners and employers alike.

"Community colleges sit at the intersection of education, workforce and community. My philosophy has evolved toward making learning shorter, more flexible and directly tied to real workplace needs where employers, community organizations and NICC work together. That kind of shared ownership is where real impact happens," Lasack said.

These prestigious recognitions place Amy among the elite leaders in North American workforce development, yet her focus remains on the economic health of northeast Iowa: "The goal is the same: learning that keeps pace with change and helps businesses stay competitive without pulling people away from their jobs."

By aligning national best practices with local expertise, Amy Lasack ensures that northeast Iowa isn't just keeping up with the modern economy-it's leading it.

Learn more about NICC Business and Community Solutions.