UNI President Mark Nook is featured on a new episode of Iowa Public Television’s “Iowa Press.” The conversation tackled a variety of topics from DEI to Iowa’s workforce shortage. 

When asked about recent changes to diversity, equity and inclusion policies, Nook relayed that while the way UNI goes about serving students has had to change in the last year, the central mission of supporting every student has not wavered.

“What we are really committed to as an institution is making sure that every student can be successful, every faculty member, staff member, every community member that engages with our university can be successful in reaching their goals,” he said.

Part of the discussion focused on UNI’s legislative appropriations request for $3 million for workforce recruitment to provide students from Iowa’s bordering states with in-state tuition. UNI graduates overwhelmingly remain in Iowa after completing their studies. Even 40 to 50% of students from out of state tend to remain in Iowa after graduating. Getting more students from out of state to UNI for college will boost the economy and bring more lasting talent to Iowa’s employers.

“This is not about building UNI’s enrollment,” said Nook. “This is about solving an economic problem in the state.”

UNI is also asking the state for $1 million to launch its Center for Civic Education. The center will enhance civic education among university students, pre-K-12 students and teachers, and the broader public by developing and implementing effective civic learning strategies, encouraging respectful dialogue across differences, and offering educational resources on free speech and civic knowledge. 

“We’re uniquely positioned to create a center around not just civic education, but what it means to be a civil servant and to really give back to your community through political service or service in your community,” Nook explained.