COEUR d’ALENE — North Idaho College is not just an institution of higher learning, said President Nick Swayne.

"It is a beacon of democracy,” he told about 100 people at The Best Western Plus Coeur d’Alene Inn. 

Swayne pledged an “unwavering” commitment to student education Wednesday during a speech before the Kootenai County Task Force on Human Relations. 

He drew parallels between successful democracies and higher education institutions since both require engagement and community involvement in order to function and remain committed to the common good.

In the fight to restore stability to the college, counter falling enrollment and solidify NIC’s accreditation, the rallying of residents to support the college was an encouraging example of democratic principles at work, he said.

“The community stepped up. As Ronald Reagan said, ‘We fought back,’” Swayne said.  

One of the best parts of this NIC upswing for Swayne has been rising enrollment.

“Enrollment numbers for the fall of 2025 will mark five consecutive semesters of growth — something that has not been achieved in a very long time,” Swayne said. 

Enrollment was up 15% for the 2024 fall semester. Fall 2025 is on track to be up 8% for transfer and CTE programs and retention. Continuing student enrollment is up 3.5% for 2025. 

There are 26 projects totaling more than $14 million underway to create a new innovation center, a new small business center and an American Indian Center. 

The American Indian Center is especially exciting for Swayne because its presence will help fulfill many of the institution’s obligations under a nine-point agreement with the Coeur d’Alene Tribe. 

Cardinal Classical Academy, a new program still in the works, was also announced as a new higher education track for homeschoolers seeking associate degrees. 

“If that represents 15% of our market, we’re not doing anybody any favors by not addressing that need,” Swayne said. “We can put together and create our own classical academy education.” 

He said it would feature Western authors such as Plato, Aristotle and Shakespeare for literature. 

Cardinal Classical Academy classes would be more focused NIC general education classes with the “classical academy” tag educating students on the Socratic method, how to ask probing questions and consider multiple perspectives. 

Classes with the classical academy tag would offer German as a living language with roots in Latin and offer students with a familiarity of major historic and scientific events as well as cultural literacy. 

“We either have them or we’d develop courses that follow along these tenets and allow them to get their associate's degree, none of these are in opposition to a standard associate’s degree,” Swayne said. “You're still taking all of those required courses, but you’re doing it in a way that’s more focused on the classical curriculum.”

    Tony Stewart of the Kootenai County Task Force on Human Relations spoke of the group's intention to eradicate harassment and hate crimes in North Idaho. Stewart praised the group for its work fighting the Aryan Nations in the North Idaho court system.
  

    Aurelius Brennan read his Martin Luther King Jr. Day essay during the Kootenai County Task Force on Human Relations luncheon Wednesday.
  

    Elisie Rasor read her Martin Luther King Jr. Day essay during the Kootenai County Task Force on Human Relations luncheon Wednesday.
  

    North Idaho College President Nick Swayne announced the creation of the Cardinal Classical Academy to welcome in more homeschoolers into pursuing an associate's degree at NIC.