Applications are now being accepted for the Pappajohn Student Entrepreneurial Venture Competition and the Lorentzen Student Hatchery.

The Pappajohn Student Entrepreneurial Venture Competition, sponsored by John Pappajohn and Equity Dynamics, Inc., is for Iowa college and university students who have an interest in starting their own business. Students pitch ideas which are judged based on a) content/concept, and b) viability of business. Three seed grants in the amount of $5,000 each will be awarded to the top three applicants who submit and present in the final competition.

The Lorentzen Student Hatchery is a unique program aimed at fostering student startups at Drake University. Entrepreneurship Centers staff provide guidance, support, access to mentors and experts, and more to students accepted to the Hatchery. Students of any major, undergraduate and graduate, are welcome to apply for an opportunity to get paid up to $7,500 while working on their own startup. Even if you are not chosen to receive a summer grant, Drake University students are welcome to participate in Hatchery coaching and mentoring sessions.

Applications close on March 23 and pitches will be held on March 27. Apply today!

Questions? Please email jpec@drake.edu.

— Stephanie Cardwell, Buchanan Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership, CBPA

Drake students: Build your personal habits and leadership skills this year through the Adams Leadership Institute.

What is it?The Donald V. Adams Leadership Institute (DVALI) is a leadership training program offered to all undergraduate students at Drake University. All students admitted to the Institute complete a three-part leadership training series, designed to equip students with self-awareness, collaboration, and perspective-talking skills that are immediately applicable to their personal relationships, academic coursework, campus activities, and professional goals. This opportunity is available to students from all academic disciplines and majors at no additional cost thanks to the generous support of Drake alumni and friends of Dr. Donald V. Adams, Professor Emeritus. A full description of the DVALI leadership training series can be found at drake.edu/leadershipinstitute.

How do I apply?Apply online at drake.edu/leadershipinstitute by Feb. 9. Students accepted into the Donald V. Adams Leadership Institute will be notified by Feb. 15, with the opportunity to start the DVALI training series as early as the spring 2020 semester.

Want to learn more?Visit drake.edu/leadershipinstitute, or attend an upcoming Adams Leadership Institute information session:

• Tuesday, February 11 (4:00 or 4:30pm)

• Wednesday, February 12 (12:00 or 12:30pm)

• Friday, February 14 (11:00 or 11:30am)

*All information sessions will be located in the Drake Room (2nd floor, Olmsted Center)

— Kristin Economos, Office of Student Involvement and Leadership

Are you interested in improving your money management skills? Do you wish you knew more about investing and credit? Do you need to learn more about the benefits that employers offer? Drake University has partnered with GradReady® to provide a free digital platform where you can learn about these topics at your own pace from any device. Visit drake.gradready.com to create your account and get started today.

— Ryan Zantingh, Student Financial Planning

Students, if you are interested in improving your English, Drake International is offering a comprehensive Intensive English Program that offers intermediate and advanced level classes with an academic focus. If you want additional help in a certain English skill area—advanced academic writing, grammar, or speaking—or if you simply want to improve your pronunciation, you may want to consider taking one of our classes. The best news is that all full-time Drake students, including exchange students, can take IEP classes free of charge!

View the schedule of classes for Spring 2020. The classes currently offered are:

• Reading I and Reading II
• Writing I and Writing II
• Listening & Speaking I and Speaking & Listening II
• Grammar I and Grammar II
• Pronunciation and Spelling
• TOEFL Preparation
• American Culture (This class offers regular field trips to various Des Moines locations to help new students learn more about the local culture, American values and history. This semester we are planning to visit the Des Moines Art Center, the Grand Blue Mile, the Neal Smith Wildlife Refuge and even go on a downtown bike tour!)

Please, note that these classes are not credit-bearing.

Our classes begin Monday, Jan. 27, and end Friday, May 8. The last day to register for classes is Friday, Jan. 31. If you are interested in joining one of the classes, or if you have any questions about the program, please contact Dina Khayrushina at dina.khayrushina@drake.edu. Our office is located in the International Center on 25th Street.

We look forward to hearing from you!

— Dina Khayrushina, Drake International