Introducing New NICC President Dr. Herbert Riedel

Introducing NEW NICC President Dr. Herbert Riedel

Northeast Iowa Community College welcomed its new President, Herbert H. J. Riedel, Ph.D., in July.

Dr. Riedel’s energetic, collaborative leadership style has impacted large research universities, a four-year liberal arts military college and technical and community colleges in Alabama, Florida, South Carolina and Texas. For more than 10 years, he served as president of Lurleen B. Wallace Community College in Alabama. His successful tenure was highlighted by many innovations, including new program offerings in advanced manufacturing, healthcare and short-term skills training. He has also taught undergraduate and graduate courses in mathematics and served as a research center deputy director, vice president and president.

“There is no mystery to leadership. Everyone can and should be a leader wherever they are in the organization. Realize that you are doing something important and focus on how your actions can improve the lives of others,” Dr. Riedel said. “By growing and encouraging leadership at all levels, the president of an organization can be most effective. People thrive when they are empowered, with proper resources, guidance and accountability.”

For Dr. Riedel, being a leader gives you the opportunity to make positive changes in people’s lives, to help individuals learn and grow, to conceive of projects and see them through to completion, and to connect in a meaningful way with your colleagues and the broader community.

Dr. Riedel and his wife, Lisa, have two sons, both of whom graduated from the college where he was president. A lover of classical music, he founded the Andalusia Chamber Music Society, which brings high quality live classical music to the community. In his spare time, he repairs farm equipment, including an old diesel tractor, restores and tunes classic cars for performance and does physical training.