North Iowa Entrepreneurs Compete in Fall 2025 Venture School Launch Day Competition
$3,500 in Prizes Awarded to Local EntrepreneursThe NIACC John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center hosted the University of Iowa Venture School Launch Day competition on Thursday October 22, 2025. The NIACC 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 NIACC 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 North Iowa Area Community College (NIACC) 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 […]
NIACC To Offer High School Equivalency (HSE) Classes in Garner
North Iowa Area Community College (NIACC) 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 NIACC 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
NIACC Pappajohn Center & SBDC Recognizes Steve Strasheim of Twisted River Farm as the October 2025 Entrepreneur of the MonthMASON CITY, IOWA – The NIACC 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 […]
NIACC Book Sale to Benefit Emergency Textbook Fund, October 7-9
The NIACC Foundation and NIACC 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 North Iowa Area Community College 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 […]
NIACC Pappajohn Center & SBDC Recognizes Christy Marchand of Altus CXO as the September 2025 Entrepreneur of the Month
The NIACC 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 […]
NIACC Board Member David Steffens Receives National Recognition
The Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT) has announced North Iowa Area Community College (NIACC) 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
NIACC Pappajohn Center & SBDC Recognized Jared Doerfler of Hanna Golf as the August 2025 Entrepreneur of the MonthMASON CITY, IOWA – The NIACC 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 […]
NIACC Introduces New Director of the Performing Arts and Leadership Series
North Iowa Area Community College (NIACC) is pleased to introduce Jared Barnes as the new Director of the NIACC 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 NIACC Performing Arts and Leadership […]
Winners Announced for NIACC’s Extreme Makeover: College Edition
Congratulations to Jennifer Hoodjer of Allison and Marianel Lovrien of Charles City—they are the winners of North Iowa Area Community College’s Extreme Makeover: College Edition! Each will receive free NIACC tuition, plus textbooks and more, for the 2025–26 school year.Jennifer Hoodjer shared her excitement and gratitude, saying that winning this opportunity means more than she […]
July 2025 Entrepreneur of the Month
NIACC Pappajohn Center & SBDC Recognizes Mike & Angie Lester of Winan Creek Barn as the July 2025 Entrepreneur of the MonthThe NIACC John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center and North Iowa Area SBDC are proud to announce Mike and Angie Lester of Winan Creek Barn in Clear Lake, IA as the July 2025 Entrepreneurs of the […]
NIACC John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center Hosts Youth Entrepreneurial Academy
The NIACC John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center hosted the 2025 Youth Entrepreneurial Academy (YEA) on June 16th-20th. YEA is a free one-week academic camp sponsored by the John K. and Luise V. Hanson Foundation, and is offered annually to all North Iowa high school students interested in entrepreneurship. Each participant receives a $500 NIACC scholarship sponsored […]
Extreme Makeover: Win a Free Year of College at NIACC
North Iowa Area Community College (NIACC) invites adults, ages 23 and up, to apply for an Extreme Makeover: College Edition – a unique makeover that changes lives. NIACC has been providing adult students with this opportunity to return to college at no cost, for more than 18 years.Extreme Makeover: College Edition is a contest where two […]