There’s no substitute for hands-on learn in the real world. UNI’s College of Business takes that seriously, and the MBA program is no exception. Students are encouraged to finish their master’s degree with a capstone project working with real Iowa businesses, one of just a handful of programs across the U.S. that involves students as consultants for existing businesses as a condition of their graduation.
I have long wondered if businesses could somehow promote epiphanies among their employees—those sudden, seemingly unbidden flashes of insight that allow us see an issue from a different perspective or to solve a previously recalcitrant problem. That may seem like an unlikely preoccupation for a college professor, who is thought to gain knowledge through accretion—hard work, study, and persistence. Although we all hope for those “light bulb” moments, when we finally “get it” (and they do occur, albeit m
Fall semester, 2021. First day of teaching. Three classes. Eighty-eight students. Seven masks. And one of them is mine. I am officially an “old guy,” more susceptible to the COVID virus than my decades-younger students. I have been vaccinated. I wear a mask when around other people. I have a one-year-old grandson who I am desperate to see as often as I can, even though he lives in North Carolina.
After a year break due to Covid-19, the Obokoji Entrepreneurial Institute (OEI) was back for the week-long event. Bringing together over 30 students from five institutes - University of Northern Iowa, University of Iowa, Iowa State University, Iowa Lakes Community College, and Buena Vista University, participants were immersed into an intense entrepreneurship program that is unmatched by any other in the state.
The Summer 2021 Early Founder’s Program wrapped up their third summer cohort. Consisting of eight student teams, the program ran through the months of June and July in a virtual setting. The EFP was led by former JPEC tenant and program assistant, Maddie Palmersheim,“The Early Founder’s Program is an opportunity for student ventures to take a deep dive into their business. Whether they are validating a concept, testing their model, or growing their venture, the program connects them to a variety of…
The University of Northern Iowa College of Business has a long tradition of exceptional preparation of sales professionals, and the newly established UNI Center for Professional Sales Excellence extends that impact on current students and offers comparable value to businesses across Iowa. Featuring a dedicated space for sales development activities, student internship opportunities, and recruiting events, the UNI Sales Center will allow students to build skills, earn badges and certificates that showcase…
Hospitals, long-term care facilities, nursing homes, and other health care organizations have been thrust into the spotlight this past year. Since March 2020, the industry has dealt with a shortage of supplies, staffing issues, budgeting problems and more—making the need for well-trained business leadership all the more important.
The University of Northern Iowa holds a special place in the hearts’ of Rod and Heidi Foster. Rod started his long career in accounting because of his education at the College of Business. UNI is also where he met his wife, Heidi, a graduate of the chemistry program. They now have two grown sons—one of which is also a UNI graduate. Because of their UNI experience, Rod and Heidi both feel the need to give back to the university and repay it for giving them the tools and experiences to be successful in…
