District Winners

2023 District 5 Pacesetter

Dr. John Hartog III
President
Northwest Iowa Community College
Sheldon, IA

Dr. John Hartog III is a distinguished academic leader known for his unwavering commitment to student success, diversity and innovative educational approaches. With a career spanning over two decades, he has made significant contributions to the field of higher education.

Under Dr. Hartog’s leadership as president of Northwest Iowa Community College (NCC), the college achieved milestones including:

• Sustained enrollment growth during a decade of nationwide enrollment declines, increasing 16% from 2011 to 2023.
• Receiving the prestigious Lee Noel and Randi Levitz Retention Excellence Award in 2016, a testament to NCC’s commitment to retaining and supporting students.
• Being recognized seven times as a top 150 community college by the Aspen Institute and a top 10 college in 2023. 

Dr. Hartog is passionate about diversity and equity. He is willing to meet with any groups or employees on campus, which showcases his commitment to fostering a culture of open communication and inclusivity. This approach allows diverse voices within the college and the community to be heard and considered. He also received the 2019 Outstanding Diversity/Equity Award from the Iowa Association of Community College Trustees. His dedication to creating inclusive learning environments has made a significant impact on the community college community.

In addition to his administrative roles, Dr. Hartog is a dedicated educator who has taught over 700 online courses in various educational settings, including community colleges, state universities, health sciences colleges, business colleges and religious institutions. He is deeply committed to fostering student success through innovative online learning experiences.

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