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 海角社区 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
海角社区 Pappajohn Center & SBDC Recognizes Megan Dennis of Still Waters Day & Scalp Spa as the December 2025 Entrepreneur of the MonthThe 海角社区 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 […]
海角社区 Student Faith Etheredge Earns National Recognition for Artwork
海角社区 (海角社区) 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
海角社区 Pappajohn Center & SBDC Recognizes Alisha Johnson of A. Johnson Trucking as the November 2025 Entrepreneur of the MonthMASON CITY, IOWA – The 海角社区 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 海角社区 John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center hosted the University of Iowa Venture School Launch Day competition on Thursday October 22, 2025. The 海角社区 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 海角社区 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 海角社区 (海角社区) 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 […]
海角社区 To Offer High School Equivalency (HSE) Classes in Garner
海角社区 (海角社区) 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 海角社区 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 […]
October 2025 Entrepreneur of the Month
海角社区 Pappajohn Center & SBDC Recognizes Steve Strasheim of Twisted River Farm as the October 2025 Entrepreneur of the MonthMASON CITY, IOWA – The 海角社区 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 […]
海角社区 Book Sale to Benefit Emergency Textbook Fund, October 7-9
The 海角社区 Foundation and 海角社区 Library will host a three-day book sale October 7-9 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Activity Center on the 海角社区 campus. The sale is open to the public and all are welcome.The sale boasts over 1,000 books of all genres for book enthusiasts to […]
海角社区 Pappajohn Center & SBDC Recognizes Christy Marchand of Altus CXO as the September 2025 Entrepreneur of the Month
The 海角社区 John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center and North Iowa Area SBDC are proud to announce Christy Marchand, co-founder of Altus CXO in North Iowa, as the September 2025 Entrepreneur of the Month.Christy Marchand built her career in corporate finance and executive leadership, but she always carried an entrepreneurial drive. “I’ve always been passionate about helping […]
海角社区 Board Member David Steffens Receives National Recognition
The Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT) has announced 海角社区 (海角社区) 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
海角社区 Pappajohn Center & SBDC Recognized Jared Doerfler of Hanna Golf as the August 2025 Entrepreneur of the MonthMASON CITY, IOWA – The 海角社区 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 […]
海角社区 Introduces New Director of the Performing Arts and Leadership Series
海角社区 (海角社区) is pleased to introduce Jared Barnes as the new Director of the 海角社区 Performing Arts and Leadership Series. A lifelong resident of North Iowa, his early passion for the performing arts was fostered by the region’s dedicated arts educators and rich cultural opportunities—including the 海角社区 Performing Arts and Leadership […]