Student Events

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Leadership In Finance: Stewardship that Strengths Communities with Stephanie Laska

Virtual

Stephanie Laska has dedicated more than two decades to the credit union industry, building a career rooted in financial leadership, strategic insight, and community impact. As Chief Financial Officer at RIPCO Credit Union, she oversees the organization’s financial operations while advancing its mission to serve members with integrity and long-term sustainability.

Her academic journey began at Nicolet College, where she earned an associate degree in business management, and continued at Franklin University, where she completed her bachelor’s degree in business administration. These educational foundations have shaped her commitment to excellence, lifelong learning, and thoughtful leadership.

Career Insights gives students a unique inside look into a variety of exciting business careers. Join us for FREE engaging sessions with guest speakers who share their personal journeys, career paths, and tips for success.

  • Hear from professionals in areas such as accounting, IT, leadership, marketing, entrepreneurship, and more!
  • Learn about different career paths and real-world opportunities.
  • Get practical advice on building your own future in business.
  • Ask questions and network with experienced professionals.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND?

All students interested in exploring business careers, making professional connections, and gaining inspiration for the future. Your career journey starts now—and the more you know, the further you can go!

JOIN THE MEETING

Join the MS Teams by clicking the following link: https://tinyurl.com/yc4f988w

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Molly Gruett, Business Management Instructor
715.365.4632 or mgruett@nicoletcollege.edu

Scholarship Workshop - Drop In Event

Student writing at an outdoor table with a laptop, surrounded by trees.
Lakeside Center - 2nd Floor Commons

Join us for a Scholarship Workshop hosted by the Nicolet College Success Coach Team. Get help on your scholarship application, network with coaches, and learn more about scholarships. No RSVP needed. Laptops will be provided, along with light snacks and refreshments. 

CONTACT
Tyler Ruppert, Success Coach
715.365.4628
truppert@nicoletcollege.edu

New Ideas Pitch Contest

Nicolet College, Rhinelander Campus

Nicolet College will again be hosting our NEW Ideas Pitch Contest on March 17th, 2026. 

Do you have an idea for a new business or product? We want to hear it! The contest is open to any student at Nicolet College taking at least one course, in any area of study, during the current Academic Year. There are cash prizes for the top finishers, and the top two will qualify to advance to the Regional NEW Ideas Pitch Contest at Mid-State Technical College on April 21st . 

If you have questions, just send an email to the Nicolet College Pitch Coordinator, Aaron Panke at apanke@nicoletcollege.edu. 

NEW Ideas Pitch Contest 2026 

Compete in the NEW Ideas Pitch Contest by applying now, for the opportunity to win cash prizes! Presenters will have four minutes to pitch their idea, plus a couple more minutes to answer any questions from our judges. The top-prize winner will receive $500! Second place wins $300 and third place $200.

Our top two prize winners will advance to compete at the regional level against contestants from six other Wisconsin Technical College at the Regional NEW Ideas Pitch Contest on April 21st, 2026. The prize money for first place at this regional event is $1,000!

Event Parameters & Specifications 

  • This is a 2-part pitch competition. The first round will be held locally at the Nicolet College campus in Rhinelander, WI.
  • The top two finishers will advance to compete at the Regional NEW Ideas Pitch Contest.
  • Individual or Team presentations are permitted.
  • This is a “Business Idea” style pitch event, encouraging students from all areas of Nicolet College with a business idea to compete.
  • There is no requirement for the potential scalability of business ideas.
  • Lifestyle, products (manufactured or sold), service, or technology business ideas are acceptable.
  • Nicolet College will provide instructors, mentors and advisors to help contestants with their presentations.
  • If you have an idea for a new product or service, please review the information below and let us know.

Eligibility 

  • Contestants must be enrolled as a student at Nicolet College in any area of study in the current academic year (degree, technical diploma or certificate program, individual coursework, or other non-credit education) and have a valid student ID number. High School Transcripted Credit students are also invited to compete. Students enrolled in at least one course are allowed to compete.
  • Students may only compete once during their enrollment at Nicolet College.
  • The business idea being pitched cannot have raised more than $20,000 in funding or have earned more than $20,000 in revenue.
  • You must be available to PITCH the idea to judges in-person at Nicolet College at 5pm March 17th, 2026. and if you’re one of the top two (2) local Nicolet prize winners, you will advance to the Regional NEW Ideas Pitch Contest being held on April 21st.
  • Compete in the NEW Ideas Pitch Contest by submitting the registration form   by noon Friday, Feb 27th. Applicants will be notified with details.

Pitch Structure 

  • Individuals/teams will prepare a four (4) minute action-oriented pitch about a business idea.
  • The Pitch should be designed to sell the idea to an investor and/or lender.
  • A maximum of five (5) PowerPoint slides, or other visual aids, are encouraged.
  • Formal presentation materials or a complete business plan are not required.
  • A panel of three (3) judges may ask up to three (3) questions each; this Q&A session will be limited to two (2) minutes.
  • The order of the pitch presentations will be randomly selected prior to the contest. • Personalized coaching from Nicolet staff and faculty, and other advisors, will be available.
  • The focus of the event is education, not publicity, but press releases, names and photographs may be used to cover this event, at both the local and regional level.

Local NEW Ideas Pitch Contest at Nicolet College on March 17 , 2026 

  • Nicolet College will host our local competition on Tuesday, March 17th , at 5:00 pm (on campus.)
  • A panel consisting of three (3) judges shall select the top three (3) overall best pitches.
  • The decision of the judges is final.
  • Cash prizes are awarded to first place ($500), second place ($300), and third place ($200).
  • The top two Nicolet winners will advance to compete at the Regional NEW Ideas Pitch Contest.
  • The Local NEW Ideas Pitch Contest is not open to the public, but press releases, names and photographs may be used to cover this event. 

Additional Information

  • There are no restrictions on prize money awarded to students for either event. Students may use the money however they wish. The contest will distribute W-9 or other tax documentation as required by the IRS.
  • Regional contest prize money is provided by participating colleges.
  • For further information, contact the Nicolet College Pitch Coordinator, Aaron Panke at apanke@nicoletcollege.edu.