Iowa State University | USASBE 2021 Model Program Award Recipient
In 2009, Iowa State received the USASBE National Model Undergraduate Entrepreneurship Program award in recognition of the university’s comprehensive entrepreneurship education efforts. Since that time, we have not only sustained our programming efforts, but also, have exponentially grown our educational, programming, experiential learning, and business assistance and development services offerings, and have achieved significant, impactful outcomes, benefitting the students, faculty, staff and communities we serve.
President Wintersteen’s Innovation and Entrepreneurship Initiative is further amplifying Iowa State’s efforts to create a vibrant ecosystem where innovation and entrepreneurship are infused into everything we do. Under this new model, Iowa State is creating a different kind of education and shaping a different kind of student. Our students are learning to think, and importantly, innovate, like entrepreneurs. The university’s new brand campaign, Innovate at Iowa State, is a call to action for current and prospective students to innovate their Iowa State adventure and exercise their entrepreneurial muscles.
Students in any major or discipline at Iowa State who are interested in exploring entrepreneurship are fortunate to have access to courses in every college, taught by high quality faculty members who are dedicated teachers and researchers. Over 3,500 students took courses with an entrepreneurship component this year alone.
Iowa State’s curriculum blends cutting-edge theories and concepts with the essential real-world skills needed for a successful entrepreneurial career, with an entrepreneurship undergraduate major (2017), cross-disciplinary entrepreneurial studies minor (1999), graduate certificate in entrepreneurship and innovation (2003), Masters in entrepreneurship (launching 2021) and PhD program in entrepreneurship (2016), in addition to experiential learning opportunities offered through the ISU Pappajohn Center for Entrepreneurship (Pappajohn Center) and other campus initiatives focused on training and developing entrepreneurs.
In FY20, the ISU Pappajohn Center documented over 24,000 individuals participating in programs and classes focused on entrepreneurship, startups and small business.
Iowa State’s business and technical assistance programs help contribute to workforce and entrepreneurial development in the state. Iowa State creates an exceptional environment that fosters innovation and entrepreneurship, evidenced by the number of university-affiliated startup and spin-off companies that have been created and the growth of companies that have been supported by the university.
According to a recent economic impact and investment analysis conducted for the Iowa Board of Regents, Iowa State delivers a $3.4 billion impact to the state economy. The impact reflects service to families, communities and businesses and benefits to society from an expanded economy and improved quality of life.