Feature

Logos photo by Lynette Williams Lisa Jahnel (right) works with Student Senate.

Graduate Jahnel returns

Lynette Williams
Staff Reporter

There is a familiar face that has returned to campus this year; Lisa Jahnel, a NIACC graduate, now works as a part of the college staff.

Currently, she holds many positions at NIACC that keep her busy. They include being a counselor, instructor, supplemental instructor/coordinator and the student senate adviser.

You may also notice that she is not the only Jahnel on campus. Many of her family members are also a part of the NIACC community.

Her mother, Cheryl Jahnel, works in marketing and is a community relation’s assistant.

Her sister, Monica Jahnel, who is currently a student at NIACC, has a work-study position for the Student Development office.

Each of these family members, including her brother, has graduated or will be graduating from NIACC first.

Lisa said she believes that it was a great decision to go to a community college first.

She said it helped her prepare herself for the big change from high school to the college lifestyle.

After Lisa’s time at NIACC, she went on to continue her education at UNI and got her Bachelors and Masters Degrees in Social Work.

“I am glad to be back at a place that is familiar to me,” Lisa said. “And I love being able to help NIACC students just like NIACC had helped me.”

In addition, Lisa said she likes keeping her family close as well as reconnecting with old friends and instructors.

This year she has been given many opportunities, one being the student senate adviser.

In that role, she gets to work with the students every Monday and Wednesday at 12:20 to further the principles of student participation in the operation and management of this college.

She said any student is able to join this group if he or she wants to develop leadership skills.

Some of the activities that Lisa and the student senate are working on include furthering the advocacy to funding for community colleges, being part of the board for the technology committee and helping with the blood drive in March.

If students have any ideas or concerns that they believe need to be heard, they may contact Lisa at 641-422-4419 or by making an appointment in the Student Development office.