51ÁÔÆæ Pappajohn Center & SBDC Recognize Jeff & Lori Otto of Otto’s Oasis as the June 2026 Entrepreneur of the Month
The 51ÁÔÆæ John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center and North Iowa Area SBDC are proud to announce Jeff and Lori Otto of Otto’s Oasis in Charles City, Iowa as the June 2026 Entrepreneur of the Month. Since purchasing the business in 2007, Jeff and Lori have continued to expand and adapt Otto’s Oasis. The business is a […]
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 […]
Extreme Makeover: Win a Free Year of College at 51ÁÔÆæ
51ÁÔÆæ (51ÁÔÆæ) invites adults ages 23 and up to apply for Extreme Makeover: College Edition – a unique makeover that changes lives. 51ÁÔÆæ has been providing adult students with this opportunity to return to college at no cost for 20 years.Extreme Makeover: College Edition is a contest where two deserving winners […]
51ÁÔÆæ Pappajohn Center Establishes Venture Launch Lab
New entrepreneurial incubator program helps North Iowa business owners build and grow a sustainable business ventureThe 51ÁÔÆæ John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center recently launched Venture Launch Lab (VLL), a new entrepreneurial incubator program designed to help aspiring and early-stage business owners build the knowledge, systems, and confidence needed to successfully launch and grow a sustainable business.Venture […]
51ÁÔÆæ Unveils 2026-2027 Performing Arts and Leadership Series
51ÁÔÆæ (51ÁÔÆæ) is thrilled to announce its highly anticipated 2026-2027 Performing Arts and Leadership Series, featuring an extraordinary lineup of award-winning performers, Broadway shows, acclaimed speakers, and spectacular performances all-around.“As we celebrate the 250th anniversary of the United States, this season is centered around themes of home and heritage, while still […]
Youth Entrepreneurial Academy Registration Now Open for Summer 2026
Hosted by the 51ÁÔÆæ Pappajohn Center with New, Flexible FormatMASON CITY, IOWA – Registration is now open for the 51ÁÔÆæ John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center’s premiere youth program for high school students, the Youth Entrepreneurial Academy (YEA). The Youth Entrepreneurial Academy is a unique opportunity for North Iowa high school students to expand their horizons, discover […]
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 […]
51ÁÔÆæ Celebrates Community College Month
This April, 51ÁÔÆæ (51ÁÔÆæ) joins colleges nationwide in celebrating Community College Month (#CCMonth), highlighting the essential role community and technical colleges play in powering America’s workforce and expanding economic opportunity. #CCMonth is an annual grassroots campaign to bring attention to the value and importance of community colleges led by the Association of […]
Applications Now Open for the 2026 John Pappajohn Iowa Entrepreneurial Venture Competition
The 2026 John Pappajohn Iowa Entrepreneurial Venture Competition application portal is now open. The annual statewide competition will award a total of $100,000 in cash prizes to early-stage Iowa startups and entrepreneurial ventures that intend to scale operations in Iowa. The John Pappajohn Iowa Entrepreneurial Venture Competition contest is intended to encourage and promote entrepreneurial […]
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 […]