Alumna inducted into NICC Hall of Fame

Kristina (Courtney) Wiltgen ’09 will be inducted into the Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC) Hall of Fame Thursday, November 12. Wiltgen and other outstanding NICC alumni and retirees are being recognized for their leadership and service in two separate virtual ceremonies. The Nov. 12 ceremony will honor NICC Calmar, Iowa, campus inductees, while a Thursday, Nov. 19, event recognizes the college’s Peosta, Iowa, campus inductees. The 5 p.m. ceremonies will also honor new members of the NICC Legacy Society, a group of individuals who support the college and its mission.

Getting a new start at NICC after two years at an Iowa university changed Kristina’s career path forever. As a Business Administration – Associate of Arts degree student at NICC, Kristina’s employment as a work-study in the NICC Student Services office led to an internship opportunity at the Decorah Area Chamber of Commerce (DACC). The position became full time shortly after graduation. Kristina’s new career at DACC expanded into the director role in 2016 and she coordinated Chamber activities, events and programs for the Decorah business community. She applied her creative problem-solving talents to assist the community in difficult economic times.

Wiltgen’s “Buy Now, Shop Later” web-based gift card sales campaign helped numerous local businesses in managing reduced revenue as the coronavirus hit northeast Iowa last spring.

Wiltgen continued her education and earned a bachelor’s degree in business management at Upper Iowa University in 2009, as well as professional US Chamber of Commerce studies and certifications. In 2019 Mid-America Chamber Executives named Kristina one of three finalists for the Executive Director of the Year Award among seven upper Midwest states.