Uniting Iowa's Private Colleges: Dr. Paula Kueter on Entrepreneurship, Innovation, and AI in Northwest Iowa

On this episode of the Iowa Tech Podcast, host Kaylee sits down with Dr. Paula Kueter, professor at Morningside University and director of the Joan and Larry Arnold Entrepreneurship Center. Paula shares her journey across Iowa's private colleges and her mission to elevate entrepreneurship beyond the state's flagship institutions, spotlighting smart, creative students who often fly under the radar. She details how Morningside is scaling its MBA, integrating AI across the business curriculum, and partnering closely with Sioux City, SIMPCO, and neighboring schools like Dordt, Buena Vista, Northwestern, and Briar Cliff to build a stronger Northwest Iowa ecosystem. The conversation explores redefining innovation around practical scaling, process improvement, and buying-and-improving existing businesses—plus the importance of data literacy, critical thinking, and ethical AI use for the next generation of founders.   💡 Find this show on your favorite player: https://iowapodcast.com/uniting-iowa-private-colleges 🗞️ Be first to get new interviews: https://iowapodcast.com/subscribe/ 🐖 Get a free $30 gift card from Jethro's BBQ: https://iowapodcast.com/jethrosbbq    Paula also previews a growing collaboration among Iowa's private colleges, including a new consortium pursuing 501(c)(3) status to pool resources for pitch competitions, shared courses, and donor support—"entrepreneurship as Switzerland," where all ships rise together. She and Kaylee discuss post-COVID student dynamics, the power of belonging and small class sizes, and why private campuses function like innovation extension offices for local businesses. From Manufacturing 4.0 opportunities to unsung ecosystem champions like NIACC's Candy Carstens and longtime connector Judy Iles, Paula makes a passionate call to action: if you're a business with a problem, tap into your nearby private college—students are capable, eager, and ready to build. To connect with Paula and Morningside, email [email protected].   Chapters: 00:00 Welcome to the Iowa Tech Podcast 01:06 Introducing Dr. Paula Keter 01:34 Paula's Journey at Morningside 02:56 Championing Entrepreneurship in Iowa 04:56 The Ecosystem of Private Colleges 07:46 Collaborative Efforts Among Colleges 11:05 Innovation and Scaling in Northwest Iowa 13:24 The Role of AI in Modern Education 20:12 The Transformation in Private Institutions 20:38 Benefits of Private Colleges for Students 21:46 Sense of Belonging and Community 24:10 Adapting to Changing Student Needs 25:57 Encouraging Entrepreneurship and Innovation 27:33 Collaborative Efforts Among Institutions 35:20 Final Thoughts and Call to Action