NIACC to Host 2025 Design Build Event for Area High School Students
On Wednesday, May 7, 2025, North Iowa Area Community College (NIACC) will welcome teams from 13 area high schools to its campus for the highly anticipated Design Build competition. Each school will bring a team of four students for a day of hands-on learning, creative problem-solving, and real-world skill-building.The competition will run from 9:15 a.m. […]
NIACC Continuing Education Introduces Commercial Drone Pilot Series
North Iowa Area Community College (NIACC) Continuing Education is launching a new Commercial Drone Pilot course series this May, offering individuals an opportunity to explore the world of unmanned aerial systems (UAS). Whether you’re a hobbyist interested in recreational drone flight or a professional looking to integrate drone technology into your current role, these courses […]
2nd Annual Iowa Student Entrepreneur Summit
The NIACC John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center hosted the second annual Iowa Student Entrepreneurship Summit on April 11-12, 2025 at locations in Mason City and Clear Lake, IA. This dynamic event brings together business majors and student entrepreneurs from Iowa’s community colleges, private colleges and the University of Northern Iowa. The Student Entrepreneurship Summit included a […]
NIACC Earns 2025-2026 Military Friendly® School Designation
North Iowa Area Community College (NIACC) has earned the 2025-2026 Military Friendly® School designation. Institutions earning the Military Friendly® School designation were evaluated using both public data sources and responses from a proprietary survey.Methodology, criteria, and weightings were determined by Viqtory with input from the Military Friendly® Advisory Council of independent leaders in the higher […]
National marketing council honors NIACC at 50th anniversary national conference
North Iowa Area Community College (NIACC) received a 2024 Paragon Award from the National Council for Marketing & Public Relations (NCMPR) at the council’s national conference last month in New Orleans. The conference also concluded a year-long celebration of NCMPR’s 50th anniversary, which was founded in 1974.NIACC earned the Print Wild Card award for its […]
Applications Now Open for 2025 Youth Entrepreneurial Academy at the NIACC Pappajohn Center
Unique Opportunity for North Iowa High School StudentsMASON CITY, IOWA – The North Iowa Area Community College (NIACC) John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center is now accepting applications for the 2025 Youth Entrepreneurial Academy (YEA), taking place from Monday, June 16 – Friday, June 20, 2025. A concluding pitch competition will be held on Monday, June 23, […]
Spring 2025 Venture School Launch Day Competition Awards
$4,000 in Prizes Awarded to Local EntrepreneursThe NIACC John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center hosted the University of Iowa Venture School Launch Day competition on Thursday March 27, 2025. The NIACC Spring 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 […]
March 2025 Entrepreneur of the Month: Lori Finch
The NIACC John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center and North Iowa Area SBDC are proud to announce Lori Finch of Gabby’s Gluten Free Goods of Britt, IA as the March 2025 Entrepreneur of the Month.Lori Finch, founder of Gabby’s Gluten Free Goods, turned a personal challenge into a business that provides high-quality gluten-free baked goods to customers […]
NIACC and UNI Establish Articulation Agreement to Enhance PTA and Kinesiology Education Pathways
North Iowa Area Community College (NIACC) and the University of Northern Iowa (UNI) have recently developed an articulation agreement that will provide NIACC Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) students with a seamless pathway to earning a Bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology at UNI. The agreement also offers UNI Kinesiology students an efficient route to obtaining a PTA […]
North Iowa Students Compete at NIACC Everyday Entrepreneurs Pitch Competition
The NIACC John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center hosted the Everyday Entrepreneur Pitch Competition on Thursday, March 20, 2025. 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 […]
NIACC Pappajohn Center & SBDC Recognized Billie Asmus of Repaint Studios as the February 2025 Entrepreneur of the Month
The NIACC John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center and North Iowa Area SBDC were proud to announce Billie Asmus of Repaint Studios in Hampton, IA as the February 2025 Entrepreneur of the Month.As the founder and CEO of Repaint Studios, Billie Asmus is revolutionizing the painting and home DIY industry with her eco-friendly invention, the Repaint Tray. […]
NIACC John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center Hosts IDEA Camp for Middle School Students
The North Iowa Area Community College John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center held the inaugural IDEA Camp for middle school students on Presidents’ Day, Monday February 17, 2025.28 students from 12 schools across North Iowa attended IDEA Camp where they put into practice life’s key skills: innovation, discovery, entrepreneurship, and achievement. This hands-on program guides young innovators […]
North Iowans Join NIACC Foundation Board of Directors
At its December 2024 meeting, the North Iowa Area Community College (NIACC) Foundation elected five new members to its Board of Directors. Their terms officially began in January 2025.Hunter Callanan of Clear Lake is a long-time community advocate and volunteer. She attended Loras College and obtained a bachelor’s degree in public relations. Callanan has been […]
Ferch and Holmes Join NIACC Alumni Advisory Board
Jodie (May) Ferch ‘93 and Mary (Kruggel) Holmes ‘77 have joined the North Iowa Area Community College (NIACC) Alumni Advisory Board.Jodie (May) Ferch of Austin, Minnesota, graduated from NIACC with an Associate’s Degree in Nursing in 1993. Ferch is a Registered Nurse with Mayo Clinic’s St. Mary’s Campus in Rochester, Minnesota and previously worked for […]
NIACC John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center to Host IDEA Camp for Middle School Students
Full Day Program on Presidents’ Day, February 17, 2025MASON CITY, IOWA – The North Iowa Area Community College John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center will hold the IDEA Camp for 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students on Presidents’ Day, Monday February 17, 2025. The camp will run 8:30am to 3:30pm. Check-in begins at 8am. The camp will […]