Learning Center

Our learning centers are conveniently located on the Calmar and Peosta campuses, the Dubuque center and virtually through Upswing. Students are encouraged to visit the learning centers early and often to take advantage of free academic assistance either virtually or on-campus. Appointments are not required, but are recommended for study skills and/or writing sessions.

Our tutors are friendly content area experts that provide academic support in a wide range of subjects, provide study skill strategies, academic coaching, help with basic computer skills and much more. The learning center is dedicated to helping underprepared students prepare, prepared students advance and advanced students excel.

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Winners of the 2024 Larry Kruse Memorial Writing Contest

Thanks to everyone who entered this year's NICC writing contest!

Short Essays

1st place – "The Good Days of Bohemian Baking" by McKenna Hubka
2nd place – "A Helping Hand" by Heidi Pechota
Honorable Mention – "Stop at a Small Town" by Elizabeth Ross

Long Essays

1st place – "Healing or Dying: The Care is the Same" by Debbie Wessels
2nd place – "A Moment in Time" by Shauntal Weatherspoon
Honorable Mention – "The Day the Music Died" by Matthew Huyer

Fiction

1st place – "C.E. Wants to Be a Better Person" by Colson Cruciani
2nd place – "Birthday Girl" by Olivia White
Honorable Mention – "Upside Down Hearts" by Chloye Gmur

Read the Winning Entries (PDF)

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Health Sciences

Extra help is available for health sciences courses such as Anatomy & Physiology, Human Biology, Microbiology, Biology and Chemistry. Open labs are available to give students hands-on experience with laboratory concepts.

Experienced nursing tutors are available for assistance in all nursing courses. Appointments are recommended for groups wanting supplemental instruction on nursing concepts.

Math

Academic assistance is available for all levels of mathematics. The learning center math tutors/instructors individualize instruction while guiding students toward understanding. Help is available in areas such as algebra, statistics, applied math, physics, calculus and dosage calculations.

Study Skills

Strategies that lead to academic success are available for those who feel overwhelmed or need to brush-up on their study skills. A one-on-one approach is used to teach time management, testing strategies, textbook reading and note-taking. Appointments are encouraged.

Writing

Writing assistance for all written assignments is available through the learning centers either face-to -face or virtually. The writing instructor/tutor offers suggestions through all steps of the writing process including brainstorming, drafting, revising and editing. Help is available with punctuation, grammar, spelling, formatting documents, creating citations for research papers as well as preparation of resumes and scholarship applications.

The Writing Lab is available virtually through Upswing to assist students through any stage of the writing process. Watch a walk-through of the Upswing Writing Lab. Upload a paper/essay to Upswing's Assignment Review to receive quality feedback from writing experts within 24 hours.

Other Content Areas

Academic assistance is available virtually through Upswing for additional content areas including accounting, electrical theory, computer applications as well as ALEKS® and HESI exam preparation. On-campus assistance varies by location.

Availability for in-person academic assistance can be found on the Learning Center Site.