Entrepreneur for a Day Program Partners with RSVP of North Central Iowa

Entrepreneur for a Day (E4D), the entrepreneurship education program created by North Iowa Area Community College ’s John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center , announces a partnership with RSVP of North Central Iowa. Volunteers from RSVP of North Central Iowa will serve as instructors for classes in the Entrepreneur for a Day program.

“Entrepreneur for a Day is a wonderful way to teach North Iowa fifth graders about entrepreneurship and creativity. We are looking forward to this new partnership with RSVP. The combination of NIACC instructors and RSVP volunteers will enrich the educational experience for students,” Dr. Mark Johnson, NIACC vice president for academic affairs, said.

The two-day class introduces students to entrepreneurship and provides them with the idea that they can become job creators. With activities in Central Springs, Forest City , Mason City , Newman Catholic and on the NIACC campus, students learn the definition of an entrepreneur and what important resources an entrepreneur needs as well as team work on selecting a product, taking a loan from a bank, buying resources and selling the product to determine whether their company made a profit. Students complete the Entrepreneur for a Day program with an understanding of the difficulties of running their own business and the rewards of being their own boss.

“RSVP is pleased to be partnering with the Pappajohn Center and the Entrepreneur for the Day program. This leading edge, exciting program fits well with the RSVP mission and vision. It brings together young people with hopes, dreams, ideas and visions for the future and pairs them with adults who know how to instill this entrepreneurial spirit. RSVP volunteers or “facilitators” will fill an important role by supporting and guiding students in the E4D program. Students will benefit by working with people who have experienced risk-taking, used critical thinking skills and made their dreams come true!” Elaine Hanson, RSVP executive director, said.

RSVP of North Central Iowa is positioned to harness the experience of an emerging group, the Baby Boomers, by participating in an initiative that is gaining state and national attention. RSVP is funded by the Corporation for National and Community Service , state and local governments, United Way of North Central Iowa and private foundations.

“The RSVP volunteers bring with them a wealth of knowledge and a strong desire to want to make a difference with these young students. Combining RSVP programs with a program that the kids really love will make this an even better program,” Tim Putnam, NIACC JPEC associate director, said.

An entrepreneurial national service program, RSVP of North Central Iowa has been sponsored by Waldorf College for 10 years. The partnership is characterized by a strong, dynamic and vibrant relationship, sharing parallel missions and values of “reaching out in service to others.” RSVP volunteers model this ethic of service as they serve in RSVP programs such as Academic Coaches, Reading Coaches, Reading Buddies, Breakfast Buddies and Conversation Partners.

For more information on the Entrepreneur for a Day program, contact Tammi Heard at 641-422-4234 or toll-free 1-888-GO NIACC, ext. 4234 or email heardtam@niacc.edu.

For more information on RSVP of North Central Iowa, contact Hanson at 641-585-8294.

The John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center is located on the North Iowa Area Community College campus in Mason City , Iowa and provides college level courses and degree programs in entrepreneurship, as well as consulting services for business start-ups and existing industries in the North Iowa region. The Center also provides FastTrac ® training programs both for beginning companies and existing companies. Space is available in the new North Iowa Business Incubator for start-up businesses. For more information, contact the NIACC JPEC at 641-422-4342.