Nicolet College launches community survey

Fifty-seven years after holding its first classes in what is now the Rhinelander Fire Department building, Nicolet College continues to evolve to meet community needs.

To that end, the college has launched a community survey in an effort to improve its services and programs for employers, high school students, and learners of all ages.

“Employers, high school students and learners of all ages are encouraged to share their perspectives and ideas through the survey which is available at nicoletcollege.edu/survey,” Nicolet officials said in a press release.

The survey will be open until February 16. Participants can choose to enter a drawing to win a $100 Amazon gift card. 

Now situated on 280 acres on the shore of Lake Julia, Nicolet is a technical and community college and the only institute of higher education in its district. The counties in its district are Oneida, Vilas and Forest, as well as the parts of Lincoln, Iron and Langlade that include Tomahawk, Mercer and Elcho.

“Each community in our district is unique, because each community has different educational, economic and workforce needs. That’s why we want to hear from everyone,” said Kate Ferrel, President of Nicolet College.

Nicolet has served 3,639 students in the 2024-25 school year. Annually, the college also reaches several thousand learners through community classes, events, and services. Just over 70 percent of Nicolet College graduates live and work in Wisconsin, and 51 percent work in the Nicolet College district, according to Wisconsin Technical College System graduate outcome data for the 2023-24 school year.    

After the survey is completed, Nicolet will host community listening sessions throughout the district in the spring.

“For almost 60 years, Nicolet College has partnered with our communities to drive forward their vision for the future through education. This survey represents a new cycle of listening, innovating and evolving,” Ferrel said.