Northeast Iowa Community College Students Named to 2026 All Iowa Academic Team

Our newsroom runs on more than coffee and craft beer — it runs on you. Support Decorah News' local reporting today. CALMAR, Iowa — Northeast Iowa Community College students Christi Schrodt and Ethan Falck have been named to the 2026 All Iowa Academic Team. The students, nominated by their respective campuses for outstanding academic achievements and leadership, were recognized Monday, March 2, 2026, in Des Moines as part of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. Schrodt was also named a 2026 Coca-Cola Academic Team Scholar and will receive a $1,300 scholarship. This marks the fourth consecutive year an NICC student has received the honor. Christi Schrodt, of Peosta, is a nontraditional student pursuing a Liberal Arts Associate of Arts degree. A published author of four books, she is passionate about creative writing and plans to revamp her book series after graduation. Schrodt serves as an officer for the PTK Beta Epsilon Pi chapter and founded a local group for homeschooled children. A married mother of seven, grandmother of two, and caretaker of birds and reptiles, she hopes to inspire her family to pursue new goals. After earning her associate degree, she plans to transfer to a four-year university to pursue a bachelor's degree in liberal arts with an emphasis in creative writing. Ethan Falck, a high school senior from the Calmar area, will complete the Carpentry program at NICC this summer. He balances his education with work at a Decorah-based electrical company and responsibilities on his family farm. Falck plans to enroll in NICC's Industrial Electrician program in fall 2026. An avid outdoorsman, he enjoys hunting, fishing and competing in bow hunting events. "Northeast Iowa Community College is incredibly proud of Christi and Ethan for their leadership and dedication to their communities," said Dave Dahms, NICC president. "Christi's commitment as a published author and student officer and Ethan's hands-on work in the trades prove that our students are driven to make a significant, positive impact. Christi and Ethan are just two of many students making an impact at community colleges across Iowa. Congratulations to all student members of the 2026 All Iowa Academic Team." Phi Theta Kappa is an honor society recognizing academic achievement at associate degree-granting colleges and supporting students' growth as scholars and leaders. It has more than four million members and over 1,200 chapters. The All Iowa Academic Team recognition is part of Community College Leadership in Action Week, highlighting the role community college students play in Iowa's workforce and leadership development. The Coca-Cola Academic Team is sponsored by the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation and administered by Phi Theta Kappa. Your weekly dose of local life! Subscribe to the free newsletter and enjoy news, analysis, and stories you'll actually look forward to reading.