The Iowa State University Research Park hosted incoming students from the Academic Program for Excellence (APEX) on behalf of the Ivy College of Business.
APEX is a collaborative initiative between the Division of Student Affairs and the university’s colleges, designed to support college readiness for incoming students. One of the program’s goals is to help students understand the real-world opportunities available in the business field, including career pathways, workplace culture, and professional development. The goal is to demonstrate to students how their education relates to the workforce and to help them envision themselves in professional roles.
Twelve students participated in the program this year. Ten students were from the Ivy College of Business, one student was from the computer science department, and one student was from the agricultural business program. There was also one peer mentor assigned to help these students with questions outside of class time. They had the opportunity to visit several companies in the Ames area, such as Kingland, Workiva, and the City of Ames. They also took a tour of Jack Trice Stadium. They also visited the Pappajohn Center for Entrepreneurship to listen to a panel of companies, which included Workiva, John Deere, and Assa Abloy.
“I was struggling in one of my classes, and Ashley, my peer mentor, set up a meeting with me to talk about it and give me tips about how to move on. It is really great to have someone to look up to and get help from.”
— Gracelyn Henninger
Gracelyn Henninger, a freshman studying finance from Dunkerton, Iowa, said, “The most impactful moments from APEX were building a good connection and making friends, and having such a good support system has helped a lot. I was struggling in one of my classes, and Ashley, my peer mentor, set up a meeting with me to talk about it and give me tips about how to move on. It is really great to have someone to look up to and get help from.”
The APEX program helps students build confidence and enhance their networking skills, enabling incoming students to make a smooth transition into college.
“The students who participated in the APEX program this year really impressed me,” said Ronnie Perez, an academic advisor for undergraduate students. “They had amazing energy, asked thoughtful questions, and wanted to do everything to the best of their abilities. With this drive and enthusiasm, I can already see them becoming the future student leaders here in the Ivy College of Business.”
The APEX program continues to create meaningful connections, empowering students to step confidently into their collegiate careers.
October 17, 2025
