Tana Goertz, the “Apprentice” finalist from the NBC television show’s “street smart” team, is about to join the “book smart” team at DePaul University.

Goertz, a successful entrepreneur, author and inspirational speaker from Iowa, has enrolled in DePaul’s School for New Learning (SNL) this fall to finish her college degree. She will study business in the school’s online program, which is tailored to the needs of adult learners. Goertz is scheduled to discuss her experiences on “The Apprentice” and offer tips for success during an address to students, faculty and the public at 3 p.m., Sept. 20, in Room 8005 of the DePaul Center, 1 E. Jackson Blvd. The free event is sponsored by the department of management in DePaul’s Kellstadt Graduate School of Business.

Goertz appeared on the third season of Donald Trump’s reality series, which featured a competition between “book smart,” college-educated professionals and “street smart,” non-degreed business people—including Goertz. When millions of television viewers last saw Goertz, she had survived 16 grueling weeks of business challenges to make it to the final boardroom showdown against the “book smart” team’s Kendra Todd. Trump ultimately hired Todd, but the choice hasn’t slowed down Goertz’s career or her desire to earn a college degree. She has authored and self-published a children’s book, “I’m Bigger Than This,” a tale that encourages kids to think big and pursue their dreams. She also has launched a Web site, www.heytana.com, and is a frequent speaker for business and student groups.

“DePaul’s management department encourages students to develop an entrepreneurial mindset, and we believe students and the public can learn from Goertz’s experiences,” said Scott Young, chair of the management department, who invited her to speak at DePaul.

Goertz, a 37-year-old married mother of two, has owned several start-up companies and is a former top saleswoman for Mary Kay Organization. Goertz’s biography notes that her business savvy first emerged at the age of nine when she sold telephone accessories door-to-door and depleted her inventory in record time.

Goertz was within six classes of earning a bachelor’s degree when she left college to start a career and family. She said she looks forward to finishing her degree at DePaul. “I decided to go to DePaul because it’s a prestigious university and, as a Midwest business woman, I want to get a degree from a university with a great reputation,” she said. “I also regret that I was so close to graduating but didn’t have the opportunity to finish. This program will allow me to work full-time and be a wife and mother while obtaining a degree.” During her talk at DePaul, Goertz said she will encourage college students to stay in school because it pays off in the long run, and to pursue careers they are passionate about.

Susanne Dumbleton, dean of SNL, said Goertz exemplifies the type of student for which SNL’s online degree program was designed. “SNL’s Center for Distance Education offers working adults such as Tana a convenient option that allows them to balance work and family obligations while earning a college degree, without having to attend classes on a set schedule.”

DePaul established SNL 35 years ago to meet the specific needs of adult learners. The school enrolled 778 students in more than 4,082 credit hours of online courses during the last academic year. Distance education course instructors present the same content online that is taught in the classroom. Distance learners log into the course portals on the Internet to participate in classes, tap into research materials and share ideas with instructors and classmates. Students study at their own pace, managing their time to meet deadlines without having to be in class on a fixed day and time. For more information about SNL’s distance learning program, visit www.snlonline.net or call 312/362-8821.

For more information about Goertz’s talk at DePaul, call the management department at 312/362-6780.

Goertz also will read from her children’s book, “I’m Bigger Than This,” at Barnes & Noble at DePaul Center, 1 E. Jackson Blvd., at noon Sept. 19. The event is free. For more information about the reading, call Barnes & Noble at 312/362-8795.