PRESS RELEASE: IOWA LAKES BOARD HIGHLIGHTS MUSIC AND PERFORMING ARTS, WELCOMES NEW FACULTY AND ACCEPTS ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP

Estherville, Iowa — The Iowa Lakes Community College Board of Trustees learned more about the college’s Music Department and the continued growth of performing arts programming and community outreach, welcomed three new faculty members and accepted an endowed scholarship during its regular September meeting.

Troy Larson, vice president of student services, introduced members of the Iowa Lakes music and performing arts team, including Brett Fuelberth, professor of vocal music and choir; Lincoln Larsen, director of music and performing arts; and Jessi Strom, Performing Arts Center promotions and operations.

Larsen shared how Iowa Lakes is expanding the reach of its music and performing arts programs, creating opportunities that extend beyond the classroom and bring students, schools and community members to campus.

That reach is increasingly regional. During the past year, Iowa Lakes hosted seven events for middle and high school students, welcoming 1,016 students representing 53 school districts to perform on the Janice K. Lund Performing Arts Center stage. The PAC also serves as a venue for school concerts, community performances, special events and the Estherville Performing Arts Series.

“We want students to see Iowa Lakes as a place where they can continue to be involved in music and the arts, whether they plan to study music or simply want performing arts to remain part of their college experience,” Larsen said. “At the same time, bringing more than 1,000 young performers from 53 school districts onto our campus gives us an opportunity to build relationships with students, educators and communities from across the region.”

Those relationships are also creating new opportunities close to home. Iowa Lakes continues to expand its collaboration with Estherville Lincoln Central Community School District, with several joint experiences planned for 2026-27. The Jive for Five clinic brought the ELC Marching Band together with Iowa Lakes, while upcoming clinics will feature Shaun Johnson working with ELC concert and jazz choirs and pianist Clare Longendyke working with ELC third- and fourth-grade students.

The partnership also led to the first Iowa Lakes and ELC summer Theatre Camp, which welcomed 19 students. The camp was supported through financial and staff collaboration between the two organizations and an ELC Patrons of the Fine Arts Cultural Enrichment Grant.

Opportunities for current Iowa Lakes students are growing as well. The college’s Theater Club, launched in fall 2025, has 10 members this fall and a full slate of activities planned, including performances, a Fright Hike, an end-of-semester showcase and a fundraising opportunity at the Lorie Line performance. Students can also gain hands-on experience in the Performing Arts Center through work-study positions in sound and lighting, camera operation, house and stage management and stage production.

“The goal is to keep building opportunities for people to experience the arts at Iowa Lakes, whether they are performing on stage, working behind the scenes or sitting in the audience,” Larsen said. “The more we can open our doors and create those connections, the stronger our programs and our communities become.”

Kyle Norris, vice president of academic affairs also introduced three new Iowa Lakes faculty members: Cameron Berger, Kristina Siemasko and Jessica Emswiler.

Berger began his teaching career in 2013 at the University of Maine, where he earned his master’s degree in communication. He later taught introductory and advanced courses in communication and rhetoric at the University of Kansas as both a graduate assistant and lecturer. Berger earned his Ph.D. in Communication Studies from the University of Kansas in 2024.

Siemasko, MSN, BSN, RN, SANE, joins the nursing program as an assistant professor with more than six years of emergency room and medical-surgical nursing experience. An Iowa Lakes alumna, she earned her associate degree in nursing from Iowa Lakes before completing her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in nursing leadership and administration at Southern Utah University. Siemasko is certified in cardiac care and trauma nursing care and serves as a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner in Iowa.

Emswiler, an Algona native and Iowa Lakes alumna, brings more than 23 years of registered nursing experience to her role as a nursing instructor. Her background includes emergency, cardiac and trauma care; outpatient and infusion services; perioperative and medical-surgical nursing; and long-term care. She has also served in nursing leadership roles, including as a house supervisor, medical unit manager and long-term care director of nursing. Emswiler is currently pursuing a Master of Science in Nursing with an emphasis in nursing education at Iowa State University.

“The experience these three faculty members bring to Iowa Lakes will directly benefit our students,” Norris said. “Cameron brings a strong academic background and years of experience in communication education, while Kristina and Jessica bring extensive clinical and leadership experience into our nursing classrooms. We are excited to have them join our faculty and share their knowledge with the next generation of professionals.”

The Board also accepted a gift establishing the Thom-Pedersen Scholarship as an endowed scholarship. Originally established in 2022 in honor of Robert Anthony Thom, the scholarship supports Iowa Lakes students studying criminal justice, nursing and environmental studies with a Department of Natural Resources law enforcement focus. The endowment will allow the scholarship to continue supporting students for years to come while maintaining the donors’ original intent.

“Endowing this scholarship creates a lasting legacy while providing meaningful support for Iowa Lakes students,” said Dan Lutat, executive director of the Iowa Lakes Community College Foundation. “We are grateful for the generosity behind this gift and the opportunities it will continue to provide for students well into the future.”

The next regular meeting of the Iowa Lakes Community College Board of Trustees is scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 20, at 4:30 p.m. at the Administration Building, 18 South 7th Street, Estherville. A work session will begin at 4 p.m.

About Iowa Lakes Community College

Iowa Lakes Community College serves students and communities throughout northwest Iowa through transfer education, career and technical programs, workforce training, continuing education, athletics and community partnerships. With locations throughout its five-county service area, Iowa Lakes provides