Plas-Tech Tooling Named Top Five Finalist in Freedom 250 Patriot Pitch Competition
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced Plas-Tech Tooling, Inc. of Garner, IA as one of the five finalists advancing to the grand finale of the SBA Freedom 250 Patriot Pitch Competition. As part of the nation’s Freedom 250 celebrations, the competition spotlights the small businesses who leveraged SBA capital products to innovate, scale operations, and strengthen […]
North Iowa Business Named as One of 10 Semifinalists in Freedom 250 Patriot Pitch Competition
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has announced Plas-Tech Tooling, Inc. of Garner, Iowa as one of the ten semifinalists advancing in the Patriot Pitch Competition, the agency’s Freedom 250 initiative celebrating 250 years of American small businesses that drive innovation, create jobs, and generate economic growth for local communities.Plas-Tech Tooling is an advanced manufacturing company specializing in precision […]
North Iowa Entrepreneur Wins Second Place at the 2026 EntreFEST Pitch Competition
Zack Smith of Lake Mills, IA won Second Place at the 2026 EntreFEST Pitch Competition on June 12th, 2026. The EntreFEST Pitch Competition, presented by Hy-Vee, brought together community leaders, founders, investors, and supporters In Iowa City to hear from five entrepreneurs as they competed for $15,000 in prize funding. Now in its second year of […]
North Iowa Entrepreneur Wins Third Place at the 2026 Venture School Statewide Launch Day Competition
Cait Dillavou of Clear Lake, IA won Third Place at the University of Iowa’s Venture School Launch Day Competition on June 11, 2026. Ten teams from across Iowa competed in the event, which was held at EntreFest, a two-day entrepreneurial conference in Iowa City, IA. Five teams competed in the final round. A total of […]
51ÁÔÆæ Pappajohn Center & SBDC Recognizes Jordan Klooster of Klooster Flaps as the May 2026 Entrepreneur of the Month
The 51ÁÔÆæ John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center and North Iowa Area SBDC are proud to announce Jordan Klooster of Klooster Flaps in Garner, Iowa as the May 2026 Entrepreneur of the Month.As the founder of Klooster Flaps, Jordan is proving that entrepreneurship starts with identifying a simple need and grows through the willingness to figure out […]
51ÁÔÆæ Announces Spring Term President’s and Dean’s List
51ÁÔÆæ is pleased to announce that 1,146 individuals have been named to the 2026 Spring Term President’s List and Dean’s List. These students represent 104 Iowa communities, 15 states outside the state of Iowa, and 18 countries outside of the United States. Students are listed by hometown.NORTH IOWA AREA COMMUNITY COLLEGEDEAN’S […]
51ÁÔÆæ Recognizes Nearly 850 Graduates at Commencement
At the three 51ÁÔÆæ (51ÁÔÆæ) graduation ceremonies on Friday, May 1, nearly 850 graduates were recognized as earning approximately 1270 Degrees, Diplomas, and Certificates during the 2025-2026 academic year. Several honors and awards were also presented. 51ÁÔÆæ’S Class of 2026 represents 17 countries, 21 states, and 94 Iowa communities. (*Midyear Graduate)AkronJack […]
The Aspen Institute Names 51ÁÔÆæ as a Semifinalist for $1 Million Aspen Prize
51ÁÔÆæ Named One of 25 Community Colleges Advancing in National Prize Recognizing Excellent Student OutcomesToday, the Aspen Institute (Aspen) named 51ÁÔÆæ as one of 25 semifinalists for the 2027 Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence. Rooted in deep research and backed by $1 million in award money, the Aspen Prize is the […]
Pathways to Success
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 […]
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 […]