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EDUCATE Visit

Experience Inclusive College Life at NIACC

Choosing a college is a big decision. Visiting campus is the best way to see if the EDUCATE Program at NIACC feels like the right fit. During your visit, you’ll explore campus, learn about the program, and meet the people who will support you along the way.

What Is EDUCATE?

EDUCATE is a Comprehensive Transition Postsecondary (CTP) program at North Iowa Area Community College (NIACC) designed for students with developmental disabilities who want to:

  • Take college classes with support
  • Build independence and daily living skills
  • Explore career interests and gain work experience
  • Be part of campus life and student activities

Your visit will help you understand what this looks like in real life by seeing classrooms, student spaces, academic support, campus housing and more.

Ways to Visit Campus

We offer several options so you can choose the visit experience that works best for you.

Individual EDUCATE Visit

Perfect for students and families who prefer a more personal, one-on-one experience.

An individual visit may include:

  • A meeting with the EDUCATE Program staff
  • A campus tour focused on areas most relevant to EDUCATE students
  • Time to ask questions about admission, support services, housing, and costs
  • A chance to talk about the student’s interests, strengths, and goals

When: By appointment – Call 641-422-4207 to schedule an appointment or email EDUCATE@niacc.edu.
Where: NIACC Campus – Mason City, Iowa

What to expect during your individual visit:

While each visit is a little different, a typical EDUCATE visit might include:

  1. Check-In & Welcome
    • Greeted by EDUCATE staff or a campus representative
    • Brief overview of the day’s schedule
  2. Program Overview
    • What EDUCATE is and who it serves
    • Academic, social, and employment opportunities
    • Support services
  3. Campus Tour
    • Classrooms and labs
    • Student commons, dining area, and campus resources
    • Areas where EDUCATE students often spend time
  4. Q&A Time
    • Ask questions about admissions, documentation, supports, and next steps
    • Talk about whether EDUCATE may be a good fit for the student’s goals
“College with Confidence” Event

These are special visit days designed specifically for school staff or other agencies that want to bring a group of students to learn about transitioning to college. They may include:

  • High schools
  • Transition programs
  • Area Education Agencies (AEAs)
  • Vocational rehabilitation or community service providers
  • Others who want to bring a group of students to learn more about NIACC!

A day may include:

  • A welcome session introducing NIACC.
  • A guided campus tour
  • Information about the application process, timelines, etc.
  • During this visit, you have the availability to select “a menu of options” such as NIACC Disability Services, EDUCATE, IVRS, and other self-selected options.

When: Scheduled using our College with Confidence webform

Who Should Come to a Visit with the Student?

We encourage students to bring anyone who helps with planning their future, such as:

  • Parents/guardians or other family members
  • High school teachers or case managers
  • Transition coordinators
  • Vocational rehabilitation counselors
  • Essentially, anyone the prospective student feels is supporting them as they transition to college.

Accessibility & Accommodations

We want your visit to be as accessible and comfortable as possible.

If the student or any guests need accommodations (for example: accessible routes, ASL interpreters, alternate formats, sensory considerations, or extra time), please let us know when you schedule your visit so we can plan ahead.

Not Ready to Visit Yet?

If you’re not quite ready for an in-person visit, we can:

  • Schedule a Zoom meeting to talk about the program (do this by calling 641-422-4207 or emailing EDUCATE@niacc.edu)
  • Share digital materials about EDUCATE and NIACC – request specific information you’re looking for by emailing EDUCATE@niacc.edu

Next Steps

Visiting campus is a big step toward planning for life after high school. Whether you’re just starting to explore options or are ready to apply, we’re excited to meet you and help you see what’s possible through EDUCATE at NIACC.

We look forward to welcoming you to campus!