UNI Day of Service unites 2,200+ volunteers across Cedar Valley
UNI Day of Service unites 2,200+ volunteers across Cedar Valley
As part of its 150th anniversary celebration, the University of Northern Iowa, in partnership with the Volunteer Center of Cedar Valley, came together for a UNI Day of Service on Wednesday, April 8, engaging more than 2,000 students, faculty and staff in service projects across communities in the Cedar Falls and Waterloo area.
Projects are led by student organizations or integrated into coursework, each in partnership with local community organizations. Students could also sign up for opportunities individually.
“Today we are delivering on 77 projects and have more than 2,200 people giving back to the community that’s allowed UNI to thrive for 150 years,” said Julianne Gassman, director of Community Engagement. “I have two degrees from UNI and a nearly 30-year career… and I think this moment is my most proud moment of being at UNI.”
Gassman highlighted the impact of a number of projects during a kickoff event held in Maucker Union to start the day:
“150 people will sleep on a bed, whereas last night they slept on the couch or with their siblings. Adults from Goodwill get to participate in Special Olympics in four sports. Our community will have less debris and trash. Gardens will be prepped for planting season. Our nonprofits focused on tourism and livability will be more informed about what UNI students think will make this community more fun, thriving and vibrant. We will be more prepared for our next disaster. Meals will be packed for people around the world and the communities closest to us. Future lives will be saved through your giving blood. Apartments for seniors will be painted. Food pantries will be stocked. Public art will be cleaned… and I could go on and on.”
Lauren Finke, executive director of the Volunteer Center of Cedar Valley, helped put the effort into perspective. “That’s more than 4,500 hours of service that’s being poured back into our community in just a few hours. If one person worked around the clock, it would take more than 187 straight days to match what you are doing in just a few hours today. That’s incredible.”
The University of Northern Iowa is recognized nationally for its work in community engagement. UNI was one of the first universities to be recognized by the Carnegie Foundation as an engagement university, and has consistently held this distinction ever since, most recently recognized again in 2026.
“The purpose of the University of Northern Iowa is to enrich lives, communities and the world through the efforts of our students, our faculty, staff and alumni,” said UNI president Mark Nook.
“Not just putting together volunteer opportunities, but weaving those ideas of connecting to your community into coursework, student activities, and beyond.”
Students involved in Day of Service projects also reflected on the impact the experience has on their own growth and perspective.
“It’s really a fulfilling thing to do,” said senior UNI student Hillary Burken. “It’s really nice that our professors give us time to serve. It reinforces the mindset that UNI wants us, as students, to be able to give back to our community.”
Junior social work major Logan Houang spent his time with adult Special Olympics athletes at Family YMCA of Black Hawk County. “My favorite part about today is building personal relationships with each individual and spending meaningful time together,” he said.
The UNI Day of Service serves as a signature moment in months of campus-wide planning and coordination, anchoring the university’s “Spring Into Service: Cats Who Care” initiative as part of the UNI Sesquicentennial Celebration. The annual Pack the Dome event, held on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, kicked off the service period. UNI alumni are also taking part, encouraged to give back 150 minutes (or two and a half hours) of service in their own communities.
The UNI Day of Service is supported by a range of community and corporate partners to make volunteer opportunities possible, including R.J. McElroy Trust, Veridian Credit Union, St. Stephen the Witness Catholic Student Center, ThreeHouse Collaborative Campus Ministries, Spiritual Leaders Association, ServePro, Young Plumbing and Heating, Foster’s Mattress, Ashley Furniture and See What I Mean Consulting.
