Employees from across the University of Northern Iowa community came together on May 21 for the 2026 Professional Development Conference, a day centered on learning, connection and growth.

This year’s conference, themed “Progress with Purpose,” was intentionally designed to align with the UNI Sesquicentennial Celebration. As the university reflects on 150 years of impact, the conference encouraged employees to think not only about how far UNI has come, but also about the role each employee plays in shaping the university’s future for the next 150 years.

The conference continued to see significant growth and engagement across campus with 263 participants, a 54% increase from 2025.

Participation also grew across all employee groups:

• Professional & Scientific Staff: 173 attendees (66% of participants)
• Merit Staff: 51 attendees (19% of participants)
• Faculty: 39 attendees (15% of participants)

One attendee described keynote speaker Robert L. Smith Jr.’s presentation as “authentic and inspiring,” while another shared that the conference provided “new perspectives” and “actionable takeaways” that they were excited to bring back to their department.

The conference also featured 40 presenters and facilitators who shared their experiences, research, and practical insights throughout the day. The event featured 30 breakout presentations, focused on topics including leadership and management, health and wellness, human interactions, innovation and technology and professional resources.

Feedback from attendees reflects a strong appreciation for both the event’s content and the opportunity to connect with colleagues from across campus. Attendees praised presentations for offering valuable insights into leadership, workplace well-being, storytelling, student trends, mindfulness and the future of work. Others highlighted the opportunity to network and build relationships with colleagues they may not otherwise meet in their day-to-day roles.

The success of the conference was made possible through the collaboration of presenters, volunteers, sponsors and the conference planning committee:

• Danielle McGeough – Communication & Media
• Jenny Connolly – COE Academic Advising & Teacher Education Success
• Jesse Heath – Human Resource Services
• Jordan Cornwell – Human Resource Services
• Lauren Rein-Hamberg – International Engagement
• Maryann Hinman – Educational Opportunity Programs

As participation continues to grow, the conference shows UNI employees’ ongoing commitment to professional development, collaboration and innovation. More importantly, it highlights a campus community that is invested in building a stronger future together.