On Thursday, April 15 the College of Business Administration held their annual Leadership Awards Ceremony. At the event, the UNI JPEC awarded two graduating student entrepreneurs who have excelled at our center.

Maddie Palmersheim received the Entrepreneur of Year award. During her time at UNI, Palmersheim worked on a variety of business ideas and projects. This past year she developed a concept called Virgo that aims to connect freelancers with businesses in need of their services. Inspired to resolve problems associated with “gig-economy,” Palmersheim aimed to focus on local connections and make strategic changes to current solutions that aim to build up the freelancers, the businesses, and the communities in which they reside. 

Upon receiving the award, Palmersheim says, “I am very honored to receive this recognition. My involvement in the entrepreneurial environment on campus and overall journey in college has come with triumphs and many defeats. I still am feeling in the thick of it when it comes to clarity and direction within my career, but my passion and heart for entrepreneurship is so strong. I am so grateful for the opportunities that have been presented to me through the John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center and feel assured that I will always have a team of people cheering me on in my endeavors.” 

Isaac Hackman received The MAC Impact Student Business of the Year. Hackman is the owner of Isaac Hackman Photography, LLC, and has put in extensive effort that has contributed to the huge success of his company. Hackman specializes in wedding and portrait photography but has also done tremendous work as co-editor with Uprising Magazine, a student-run organization that produces magazines and content on fashions, art, and cultures with an overall focus on social justice. 

Hackman reflects on this award, “I am extremely grateful and humbled to have received the 2021 MAC Impact Student Business of the Year Award from the John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center. Having the endless support from the staff and the students at the JPEC was monumental during the difficult time that is navigating college. My time at UNI was positively shaped by the community atmosphere that is central to the JPEC, as well as the mentorship there that I experienced. I will look back on these years with gratitude, appreciation and a sense of fulfillment for utilizing the resources and opportunities available to me.” 

Due to COVID-19 regulations, the College of Business live streamed this event through Facebook. The video can be accessed through this link.