MASON CITY – North Iowa Area Community College Vice President Jamie T. Zanios received an Impact Award from The National Association of Community College Entrepreneurship (NACCE), the nation’s leading organization focused on promoting entrepreneurship through community colleges.
Zanios, who is also the director of the NIACC John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center and NIACC Foundation, received the award during the organization’s 11th Annual Conference in Charlotte, NC.
“Being recognized for this prestigious Entrepreneurial Impact Award from NACCE as a result of what has been accomplished here in North Iowa is exciting,” said Zanios. “Being selected by the leaders of hundreds of successful programs is indeed humbling. The effort to help businesses launch and grow here in Iowa has always been a passion of mine. This work is never done and cannot be done by a single person or organization. We have been fortunate to have the belief and support of NIACC and John Pappajohn along with Federal, State and local grants that have helped our work. Most importantly, we have an experienced, passionate group of professionals who work at the NIACC Pappajohn Center every day who help businesses in our area thrive. This is a team effort. “
NIACC has been fortunate to play a significant role in John Pappajohn’s mission to advance entrepreneurial efforts in Iowa, said Dr. David Buettner, interim president at NIACC. Many things have been accomplished and many more will follow.
“No one has done more to advance entrepreneurial development at NIACC than Jamie Zanios,” Buettner said. “His business background, creativity, endless energy and considerable contacts within the business community have enabled him to lead the College’s efforts to the national limelight. We are very proud of our accomplishments and of Jamie Zanios’ leadership. It is great to see him honored by one of the nation’s leading Entrepreneurism organizations in our field.
This year the NACCE awards honored two leaders in entrepreneurship education and an outstanding college president, NACCE President and CEO Heather Van Sickle said “These dedicated individuals have championed entrepreneurship, bringing colleges and the communities they serve together to promote entrepreneurship while powerfully impacting how students and community partners think about entrepreneurship.”
The other NACCE 2013 Impact Award winners were Dr. Zachary Hodges, President of Houston Community College – Northwest, Houston, Texas; Sandra Louvier, Director, Center for Entrepreneurship at Houston Community College, Houston, Texas.
