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 to Host Adult Education & Literacy Open House Events Across North Iowa
51ÁÔÆæ (51ÁÔÆæ) will host Adult Education & Literacy (AEL) Open House events across North Iowa, providing adults with an opportunity to explore free education and training options. These events are designed to help adults explore education and training opportunities that support personal, academic, and career goals.During each open house, attendees can […]
North Iowans Join 51ÁÔÆæ Foundation Board of Directors
The 51ÁÔÆæ (51ÁÔÆæ) Foundation is proud to announce the addition of two new members to its Board of Directors: David Moore and Bradley Miller. David Moore Born and raised in Mason City, Dave is a graduate of Mason City High School, 51ÁÔÆæ, and the University of Minnesota. He holds funeral director licenses in […]
51ÁÔÆæ to Offer Adult English as a Second Language Class in Belmond
51ÁÔÆæ (51ÁÔÆæ) will offer an English as a Second Language (ESL) class for adults beginning February 23 at the Belmond-Klemme High School.The ESL class will meet Mondays and Wednesdays from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m. from February 23 through May 14 at the Belmond-Klemme High School, located at 411 10th Avenue in […]
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 […]
IDEA Camp for Middle School Students
51ÁÔÆæ John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center to Host IDEA Camp for Middle School StudentsFull Day Program on Presidents’ Day, February 16, 2026The 51ÁÔÆæ John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center will hold the IDEA Camp for 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students on Presidents’ Day, Monday February 16, 2026. The camp will run 8:30am to 3:30pm. […]
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 […]
Venture School Helps North Iowa Entrepreneurs Succeed
Applications Now Open for Spring 2026 CohortMASON CITY, Iowa – North Iowa entrepreneurs are achieving success with the assistance of the 51ÁÔÆæ Pappajohn Center cohort of the University of Iowa Venture School. Venture School is the premiere business training program in Iowa, emphasizing real-world entrepreneurship and innovation based on a leading-edge curriculum. Participants learn to […]
December 2025 Entrepreneur of the Month
51ÁÔÆæ Pappajohn Center & SBDC Recognizes Megan Dennis of Still Waters Day & Scalp Spa as the December 2025 Entrepreneur of the MonthThe 51ÁÔÆæ John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center and North Iowa Area SBDC are proud to announce Megan Dennis of Still Waters Day & Scalp Spa in Clear Lake, IA as the December 2025 Entrepreneur […]
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 […]
JPEC November 2025 Entrepreneur of the Month
51ÁÔÆæ Pappajohn Center & SBDC Recognizes Alisha Johnson of A. Johnson Trucking as the November 2025 Entrepreneur of the MonthMASON CITY, IOWA – The 51ÁÔÆæ John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center and North Iowa Area SBDC are proud to announce Alisha Johnson of A. Johnson Trucking in Northwood, IA as the November 2025 Entrepreneur of the Month.Alisha […]
North Iowa Entrepreneurs Compete in Fall 2025 Venture School Launch Day Competition
$3,500 in Prizes Awarded to Local EntrepreneursThe 51ÁÔÆæ John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center hosted the University of Iowa Venture School Launch Day competition on Thursday October 22, 2025. The 51ÁÔÆæ Fall 2025 Venture School cohort competed in person after attending classes virtually for 7 weeks of training, customer discovery, and developing their business model alongside local […]
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 […]
51ÁÔÆæ To Offer High School Equivalency (HSE) Classes in Garner
51ÁÔÆæ (51ÁÔÆæ) will offer High School Equivalency (HSE) classes in Garner beginning on Wednesday, October 29. Classes will meet on Mondays and Wednesdays from 4:30-7:30pm at the Garner Education Center.The HSE program is designed for adults age 17 and older who did not complete high school and would like to earn […]
North Iowa Entrepreneur Billie Asmus Lands Deal on ABC’s Shark Tank
The 51ÁÔÆæ John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center and North Iowa Area Small Business Development Center (SBDC) are proud to celebrate Billie Asmus of Hampton, founder and CEO of Repaint Studios, for securing an investment deal on ABC’s hit show Shark Tank.Billie appeared on the October 8, 2025 episode, where she presented her company’s flagship product, The Repaint […]