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Before stepping in front of judges, business major Zach Kramer spent hours on the phone with industry professionals—underwriters, sales teams, and banking experts—testing an idea he wasn’t sure would work. By the time he presented at the at Morningside University, he wasn’t just pitching a concept; he was defending something shaped by real-world scrutiny.

That kind of experience is becoming more common for Dordt students.

In recent years, the approach to entrepreneurship has shifted from primarily classroom-based learning to something more immersive, pairing coursework with mentorship, real-world application, and ongoing support for students exploring business ideas. Central to that shift is the addition of Dordt’s first entrepreneur-in-residence, Mark Mondoka.

“When the Center launched, we focused heavily on curriculum—adding courses and building out the entrepreneurship major,” says Dale Zevenbergen ('91), director of the K&K Dooyema Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation. “But it quickly became clear that students needed more than that. They needed coaching, guidance, and someone to walk alongside them as they explore their ideas.”

With a background in product management, innovation, and startup coaching, Mondoka works directly with students and alumni as they develop business ideas, navigate uncertainty, and sharpen their sense of calling. His own career path hasn’t been linear, and that’s the point.

“The future is unknown, but my faith is certain,” Mondoka says. “I hope that gives students a sense of calm as they think about what comes next.”

For Kramer, that mentorship played a key role in preparing for competition. His project, an AI-powered underwriting tool for equipment financing, required extensive research and repeated practice. But working alongside Mondoka pushed the idea beyond preparation.

“Once he heard I was competing, we worked together for weeks refining my pitch and thinking through how to respond to questions,” Kramer says. “He pushed me to think beyond the presentation and consider how this could actually work in the real world.”

That emphasis on application defines Mondoka’s approach. Rather than treating projects as academic exercises, he consistently redirects students toward real-world impact, asking how their ideas solve meaningful problems and where they could go next.

“The real work happens in those conversations that aren’t assigned—when a student brings an idea they’re genuinely wrestling with,” Mondoka says. “That’s where growth happens.”

That mindset is gaining traction. Students beyond Mondoka’s classes are seeking him out, and interest is growing among alumni and local entrepreneurs as well. The role is also tied to broader initiatives like Project Elevate, which supports businesses from launch to growth to transition.

The result is a more connected, practical vision for entrepreneurship at Dordt—one that extends beyond campus and into the broader community.

Ultimately, Mondoka sees his work as preparing students for more than business success.

“Every organization has problems,” he says. “My hope is that our students are equipped to step into those challenges—not just with skill, but with purpose.”