Distinctively Dubuque Welcomes 25 Newcomers to Its 66th Class
Greater Dubuque Development welcomed 25 newcomers on Wednesday, August 19, for the start of the 66th class of Distinctively Dubuque, its award-winning newcomer program facilitated in partnership with Northeast Iowa Community College.
The newest class reflects the wide range of people choosing to build their lives and careers in the Greater Dubuque region. Participants represent 22 area employers and organizations, including businesses, educational institutions, nonprofits, media organizations, and other community partners. Some have called the region home for five years, while others arrived only one or two weeks before the program began.
Their journeys to the Greater Dubuque region are equally varied. Participants previously lived in communities across 12 states—from Florida, Alabama, and Pennsylvania to Idaho, Texas, and Wisconsin—as well as internationally in Mexico and Germany.
The five-week Distinctively Dubuque program helps newcomers develop the knowledge and relationships that can turn a new address into a true sense of belonging. Through interactive sessions held at locations throughout the community, participants learn about the region’s history, culture, recreation, education, local government, and opportunities to become involved.
The opening session began with welcomes from Greater Dubuque Development President & CEO Jason White and City of Dubuque Mayor Brad Cavanagh, followed by an overview of Greater Dubuque’s newcomer resources from Director of Workforce Solutions Mandi Dolson. Participants then continued getting acquainted over dinner at Brazen Open Kitchen | Bar. After dinner, Chris Wand of FEH Design shared an overview of Dubuque’s founding and architectural history, providing context for the places and stories participants will encounter throughout the program.
The evening concluded with an icebreaker designed to help the class move quickly from introductions to meaningful conversations. Participants wrote and drew representations of their careers, how long they have lived in the area, where they moved from, and three hobbies, interests, or fun facts about themselves before sharing their pages with the group. The activity soon had participants talking, opening up, uncovering common interests, and beginning connections that will grow throughout the five-week program.
Over the remaining four weeks, the class will continue exploring the people, places, and experiences that make the Greater Dubuque region distinctive—while building connections with fellow newcomers along the way.
Registration Open for the Next Class
New to the Greater Dubuque region within the last five years? Openings remain in the next Distinctively Dubuque session, beginning September 30. Registration is also open for all 2027 sessions. The program is free to all participants thanks to funding from the DRA, the City of Dubuque, and the Dubuque County Board of Supervisors.
To join other newcomers in discovering the community and finding out how YOU can be great here., visit our website or contact Mandi Dolson, Director of Workforce Solutions, at mandid@greaterdubuque.org or 563-557-9049.