North Iowa Entrepreneurs Compete in Spring 2026 Venture School Launch Day Competition
$4000 in Prizes Awarded to Local EntrepreneursThe 51ÁÔÆæ John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center hosted the University of Iowa Venture School Launch Day competition on Thursday, March 26, 2026. The 51ÁÔÆæ Spring 2026 Venture School cohort competed in person after attending classes virtually for 7 weeks of training, customer discovery, and developing their business model alongside local […]
51ÁÔÆæ Alumnus Gilman Anderson to be Honored Guest, Keynote Speaker for Upcoming Pathways to Success Program
The public is invited to attend the 51ÁÔÆæ Alumni Association’s annual Pathways to Success event on Wednesday, April 22, 2026. The event is scheduled to begin at 2:00 p.m. in the North Iowa Community Auditorium on campus.The 51ÁÔÆæ Alumni Association hosts Pathways to Success annually to honor accomplished alumni and to recognize a select group […]
51ÁÔÆæ awarded $1 million to expand career academy opportunities
$1 million each was awarded to 51ÁÔÆæ (51ÁÔÆæ), Northwest Iowa Community College, and Eastern Iowa Community Colleges; $776,655 awarded to Des Moines Area Community CollegeFour Iowa community colleges, including 51ÁÔÆæ, have been awarded nearly $4 million in competitive grants through the state’s Career Academy Incentive Fund to empower more students with […]
February 2026 Entrepreneur of the Month
51ÁÔÆæ Pappajohn Center & SBDC Recognizes Jesus Juarez of Reserve 173 Bar & Grill as the February 2026 Entrepreneur of the Month The 51ÁÔÆæ John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center and North Iowa Area SBDC are proud to announce Jesus Juarez of Reserve 173 Bar & Grill in Clear Lake, IA as the February 2026 Entrepreneur of the […]
North Iowa Students Compete at 51ÁÔÆæ Everyday Entrepreneurs Pitch Competition
The 51ÁÔÆæ John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center hosted the Everyday Entrepreneur Pitch Competition on Tuesday, February 24, 2026. The Everyday Entrepreneur Program is sponsored in conjunction with the National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship (NACCE), helping to provide access to entrepreneurial education and funding for students to take their businesses from an idea to a thriving […]
Joel Pedersen Named Phi Theta Kappa Paragon President Honoree
Joel Pedersen, President of 51ÁÔÆæ, has been named a Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) Paragon President Honoree. President Pedersen will be recognized during PTK Catalyst, Phi Theta Kappa’s annual international convention.The Phi Theta Kappa Paragon President recognition celebrates college leaders who demonstrate a strong and immediate connection to student success by prioritizing […]
51ÁÔÆæ Announces 2025 Fall Term President’s and Dean’s List
51ÁÔÆæ is pleased to announce that 1,109 individuals have been named to the 2025 Fall Term President’s List and Dean’s List. These students represent 106 Iowa communities, 14 states outside the state of Iowa, and 20 countries outside of the United States. Students are listed by hometown.NORTH IOWA AREA COMMUNITY COLLEGEDEAN’S […]
51ÁÔÆæ Employees Recognized at Outstanding Community College Awards
Two 51ÁÔÆæ employees were honored for their outstanding contributions to higher education during the Outstanding Community College Awards, held Wednesday, Dec. 3, at the Community Colleges for Iowa Convention & Tradeshow.Jason Ott was named Outstanding Faculty, recognizing his dedication to teaching excellence and commitment to student success. Ott’s work in the […]
51ÁÔÆæ Student Faith Etheredge Earns National Recognition for Artwork
51ÁÔÆæ (51ÁÔÆæ) student Faith Etheredge from Nora Springs has been honored with a Visual Arts Award Scholarship of $500 for her artwork “Nala.” Her work was selected for publication in the 31st edition of Nota Bene, Phi Theta Kappa’s national literary and visual arts honors anthology.Etheredge’s artwork was chosen from more than 3,200 […]
The Aspen Institute Names 51ÁÔÆæ as a Top 200 U.S. Community College Eligible for the 2027 Aspen Prize
$1 Million Prize Honors Colleges Achieving Strong Student Results, Both in College and After GraduationThe Aspen Institute has named 51ÁÔÆæ (51ÁÔÆæ) as one of the 200 institutions eligible to compete for the $1 million Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence, the nation’s premier recognition of high achievement and performance among two-year […]
October 2025 Entrepreneur of the Month
51ÁÔÆæ Pappajohn Center & SBDC Recognizes Steve Strasheim of Twisted River Farm as the October 2025 Entrepreneur of the MonthMASON CITY, IOWA – The 51ÁÔÆæ John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center and North Iowa Area SBDC are proud to announce Steve Strasheim of Twisted River Farm in Mitchell, IA as the October 2025 Entrepreneur of the Month.Steve […]
51ÁÔÆæ Board Member David Steffens Receives National Recognition
The Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT) has announced 51ÁÔÆæ (51ÁÔÆæ) Board of Directors member David Steffens as a recipient of a 2025 ACCT Regional Trustee Leadership Award.Each year, ACCT recognizes community college trustees, presidents, faculty, and professional staff members from across the country for their exceptional contributions to community colleges […]
August 2025 Entrepreneur of the Month
51ÁÔÆæ Pappajohn Center & SBDC Recognized Jared Doerfler of Hanna Golf as the August 2025 Entrepreneur of the MonthMASON CITY, IOWA – The 51ÁÔÆæ John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center and North Iowa Area SBDC announced Jared Doerfler of Hanna Golf in Mason City, IA as the August 2025 Entrepreneur of the Month.Jared Doerfler has built a […]
Winners announced in the 20th Annual John Pappajohn Iowa Entrepreneurial Venture Competition
North Iowa Entrepreneur Wins 3rd Prize of $15,000Jared Doerfler of Mason City, IA won Third Place at the 20th annual John Pappajohn Iowa Entrepreneurial Venture Competition on Friday, August 22, 2025. Out of more than 35 submissions, 12 teams advanced to the final presentation round, with winners announced during a luncheon at Iowa State University […]
Winners Announced for 51ÁÔÆæ’s Extreme Makeover: College Edition
Congratulations to Jennifer Hoodjer of Allison and Marianel Lovrien of Charles City—they are the winners of 51ÁÔÆæ’s Extreme Makeover: College Edition! Each will receive free 51ÁÔÆæ tuition, plus textbooks and more, for the 2025–26 school year.Jennifer Hoodjer shared her excitement and gratitude, saying that winning this opportunity means more than she […]