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Wellmark partners with Drake, launches tech practicum for students

November 13, 2019

Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield and Drake University announced this week the launch of BlueX: Technology Applied Learning—a four-year practicum for Drake students studying computer science.

Starting this fall, a select cohort of Drake students will work with Wellmark technology professionals, who will serve as mentors providing them with learning opportunities, career coaching and the possibility to step into full-time employment with Wellmark.

“Our goal with BlueX is to provide an immersive experience for our students with an industry leader from the time they arrive on campus,” said Tim Urness, Ph.D, professor of computer science at Drake University, in the announcement. “This program allows students to receive mentoring from Wellmark professionals to shape, inform, and contextualize their education early in their careers.”

Within the first year of the program, participants will be paired with a mentor from Wellmark, explore various technology roles and have the opportunity to extend their experience via a summer internship.

Each year after that, students will continue their mentorship and participate in an independent study of technology topics and trends, while working at Wellmark part-time during their junior and senior academic years.

Upon completion of the program and their undergraduate degree, students can apply for a full-time technology position at Wellmark, including a two-year rotational program designed for recent college graduates.

“BlueX: Technology Applied Learning will provide a path for the next generation of technology leaders to stand out among their peers,” said Paul Hlivko, Wellmark’s vice president and chief technology officer. “We’re fortunate to have tremendous technology talent in greater Des Moines and are committed to leading the cultivation of that talent locally, in partnership with Drake University.”

Tags: drake university Wellmark

Wellmark partners with Drake, launches tech practicum for students | Clay & Milk

A central Iowa ag-tech accelerator has secured more backers and finally has a name. The Greater Des Moines Partnership first announced the accelerator last year, naming four initial investors. On Monday, the Partnership said the program will be called the "Iowa AgriTech Accelerator" and named three new investors. The new investors include Grinnell Mutual, Kent Corp. and Sukup Manufacturing, all Iowa companies. They join investors Deere & Co., Peoples Co., Farmers Mutual Hail Insurance Co. and DuPont Pioneer. Each investor has agreed to put up $100,000 for the first year of the accelerator. Startups entering the program will receive $40,000 in seed funding in exchange for 6 percent equity. Tej Dhawan, an angel investor and local startup mentor, is serving as interim director until the AgriTech Accelerator names a permanent leader. Dhawan held a similar role with the GIA before Brian Hemesath was named as managing director. As interim director, Dhawan said his main job includes hiring the accelerator's executive director, establishing a business structure and initial recruiting for the first cohort. The accelerator will place few filters, such as location and product, on the applicant pool, Dhawan said. "When you’re seeking innovation, innovation can come from every corner of the world so why restrict ourselves," he said. One area the the AgriTech Accelerator won't recruit from is biotech. For its first cohort, the AgriTech Accelerator will work out of the GIA's space in Des Moines' East Village, Dhawan said. A future, permanent home is still to be decided. The accelerator's program will host startups from mid-July through mid-October, ending with an event connected to the annual World Food Prize. The GIA, which the AgriTech Accelerator is based on, also ends with presentations at an industry event. The accelerator has also started lining up a mentor pool. The Iowa Corn Growers Association, Iowa Soybean Association and the Iowa Pork Producers Association have agreed to provide mentors, as has Iowa State University. While the AgriTech Accelerator is loosely based off of the GIA, it will differ in its business structure, Dhawan said. The GIA runs through a for-profit model for both operations and its investment fund. The AgriTech Accelerator will have a nonprofit model for its operations and a for-profit setup for its fund. Dhawan said the nonprofit model is being used so the accelerator can better work with other nonprofit partners, such as trade associations. "These are all organizations that are nonprofits and can be amazing stakeholders without ever having to be investors in the accelerator," he said. "It becomes easier to work with trade associations in their nonprofit role when we are also a nonprofit." When it's up and running, the AgriTech Accelerator would be one of a handful of ag-focused startup development programs in Iowa. Others include the Ag Startup Engine out of Iowa State University and the Rural Ventures Alliance from Iowa MicroLoan. Matthew Patane is the managing editor and co-founder of Clay & Milk. Send him an email at mpatane@clayandmilk.com.

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