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The North Iowa Area Community College John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center (NIACC JPEC) has been selected as one of 9 national finalists for the 2010 MetLife Foundation’s Jobs for the Future Community College Excellence Award.  A team of national experts and practitioners in the community college field selected NIACC and eight other finalists from a diverse and impressive pool of 29 semi-finalists out of the original 187 applicants. The organization will gather additional information site visits for the finalists in the next two weeks, with a specific focus on evidence of impact, sustainability and replicability, among other issues.

“Through their site visit to NIACC, the MetLife Foundation will have the opportunity to meet with constituents, collaborators, users and supporters whose stories share the strength and successes of our programs which have been created as the result of 12 years of work and effort,” Dr. Deb Derr, NIACC president, said.

Award recipients and finalists will be announced in April at the 2010 American Association of Community Colleges Annual Convention in Seattle, Wash. Award recipients will each receive a $40,000 grant to be used as the institution sees fit in support of its agenda. All finalists will be featured in brochures and publications prepared by Jobs for the Future in the spring.

“It is an honor that the extraordinary results of the NIACC JPEC that have been achieved since its inception are being recognized nationally.  It’s a far reaching success story that needs to be shared and ‘duplicated’ as a guide post for others regions to follow,” Jamie T. Zanios, NIACC vice president of the JPEC and institutional advancement, said, “And, this is all possible due to the vision and support from John G. Pappajohn through his help in creating the JPEC and for his ongoing support.”

The national NACCE Innovation Award winning NIACC JPEC provides college level courses and degree programs in entrepreneurship, as well as comprehensive consulting services for business start-ups, existing industries and owner transitions in the North Iowa region.   Space is available for start-up businesses in the North Iowa Business Incubator. For more information, contact the NIACC JPEC at 641-422-4111.

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