JPEC Staff
In 1996, John Pappajohn, president of Equity Dynamics, Inc. in Des Moines, Iowa, established five entrepreneurial centers throughout Iowa. Although each center defines its own mission and serves the state in a manner consistent with its particular strengths, each center has the same ultimate purpose: to enhance the effectiveness of Iowa's entrepreneurs. The primary mission of the UNI JPEC is two-fold: (1) student/faculty/staff entrepreneurship, and (2) technology transfer.
JPEC staff make numerous public appearances annually. These include speaking engagements on entrepreneurship, the programs of the Center, and specialized workshops/classes. If you are interested in having a JPEC staff member speak to your class or group, please contact Katherine at 319-273-JPEC (5732) or e-mail [email protected].
University of Northern Iowa
John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center & UNI’s Office of Intellectual Property & Technology Transfer
Position Title: Small Business & Intellectual Property Graduate Assistant (THIS POSITION IS CURRENTLY FILLED)
Reports to: Katherine Cota-Uyar, Associate Director, John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center and UNI’s Intellectual Property Officer (IPO) & Technology Transfer Manager
Terms of Employment: • For the fall semester: 20 hours per week, beginning August 24, 2015 and ending December 18, 2015. Does not include the week of Thanksgiving Break. • For the spring semester: 20 hours per week, beginning January 11, 2016 and ending May 6, 2016. Does not include the week of Spring Break.
Compensation: • Full assistantship salary for 2014-2015 was $4800. Full assistantship salary for 2015-2016 is $4920. Salary is prorated on a weekly basis for late start. • Graduate Assistants may qualify for in-state tuition and fees. • Graduate Assistants receive University holidays and do not work during Thanksgiving Break, Spring Break, or the interims between semesters. • Students may apply for a tuition scholarship; however, said scholarship is awarded separately and, is not, and shall not be considered part of the compensation package for a graduate assistant.
For more information on the Graduate Assistantship System and procedures: http://www.grad.uni.edu/assistantships/
Position Description: The graduate assistant provides professional-level support to the JPEC Associate Director/UNI IPO, and to the rest of the JPEC professional team as needed.
Duties include:
- Write and/or review first drafts of reports, feasibility studies, business plans, marketing plans, strategic plans, etc. for JPEC clients and for intellectual property/technology transfer clients.
- Conduct and compile secondary market research for clients
- Assist JPEC counselors and IPO with primary market research for clients
- Make presentations (public-speaking) across campus and in the community about the JPEC and its programs as necessary
- Assist with special projects and research especially for IPO
- Attend meetings with or in lieu of IPO
- Assist with organization and promotion of events
- JPEC Workshop Duties: Proof-read workshop teaching materials as created by instructors; Update workshop teaching materials with current information and links; Update workshop PowerPoints with current information and links; Register students for workshops; Prepare information and workshop folders/packets
- General Office Duties including: Handle general correspondence and routine communications with clients/others; Provide basic information about our Center to clients and visitors
Qualifications: Must be a full-time, degree-seeking student in a UNI graduate program; Must be enrolled in 9 graduate credits each semester of assistantship; Maintain a Plan GPA of at least 3.00; First semester graduate students must have an undergraduate GPA of at least 3.00; B.A. degree in business required; The candidate must have strong writing skills and the ability do specific research for our clients and our staff; Excellent written and oral communication skills required; Able to work in a team environment required; Previous business ownership or experience working with small business owners as a consultant required; An organized, efficient, personable, quick learner preferred; Able to work with minimal upervision preferred.
Application Process and Deadline: To apply, email the completed Application Form for Graduate Assistantship (available at http://www.grad.uni.edu/assistantships) to [email protected]. Other materials, such as a resume and examples or client/business project work, may be requested by the JPEC. Applications received by March 1 will be given preferential consideration.