ISU Pappajohn Center is recognized for exceptional entrepreneurship programming across disciplines at the 2023 GCEC awards.

AMES, Iowa (October 19, 2023) –The Global Consortium of Entrepreneurship Centers (GCEC) recognized the Iowa State University Pappajohn Center for Entrepreneurship as highly commended in the category of Exceptional Activities in Entrepreneurship Across Disciplines at the annual conference in Dallas, Texas.

Members of the Pappajohn Center for Entrepreneurship team, from L to R: Blake McClure, Megan Graettinger, Sam Dilocker, Lindsey Murray, Judi Eyles, Jean Walsh, Alex Andrade.

“Any time we have the opportunity to be recognized among our entrepreneurship center peers is a cause for celebration,” said Judi Eyles, director of the Pappajohn Center for Entrepreneurship. “The collegial nature of GCEC members helps all programs grow stronger through sharing best practices and celebrating successes. I’m proud to have our program recognized by GCEC leaders.”

The Institution of Innovation and Entrepreneurship at the University of Texas at Dallas hosted the annual GCEC conference, where over 700 leading university entrepreneurship programs came together to celebrate global entrepreneurship. The event offered 140 breakout sessions and countless networking opportunities that encouraged universities to identify new ways of approaching creativity and innovation within university-based entrepreneurship centers.

Representatives from the Pappajohn Center as well as the Iowa State University apparel, events, and hospitality department, led two breakout sessions during the event. Alex Andrade, CyBIZ Lab program director, and Blake McClure, CyBIZ Lab program manager, presented a program model overview of CyBIZ Lab, an Iowa State student-consulting program. Linda Niehm, Iowa State professor in the apparel, events, and hospitality management department, along with Emily Worrall, Iowa State PhD student and graduate assistant, led a session on Innovate 1858, the Iowa State student-operated retail store that showcases products designed, produced, and curated by students and alumni.

The conference concluded with the GCEC awards ceremony. A panel of 52 judges reviewed a total of 107 submissions, and the Iowa State University Pappajohn Center for Entrepreneurship was recognized among the 14 winners selected within eight entrepreneurial center award categories.

GCEC’s mission is to facilitate global collaboration among established and emerging entrepreneurship centers across the globe. Participating centers have the shared goal of advancing, strengthening, and celebrating the pivotal role that universities have in preparing future entrepreneurs. This recognition for the Pappajohn Center further validates the presence of entrepreneurial experiential learning programs on the Iowa State campus.