Campus & Community

Annette and Bob Morden

George Floyd fund established to educate UNI community

From their home in Punta Gorda, Florida, Annette and Bob Morden watched the memorial service for George Floyd, whose May death at the hands of Minneapolis police officers sparked a national protest movement that drew millions into the streets. 
UNI students study with masks on in Rod Library.

Changes seen across campus as students return

When students begin classes at the University of Northern Iowa next week they’ll notice not only a new culture of wearing masks but also physical spaces that have been changed since COVID-19 emerged last spring. 
UNI's Industrial Technology Center

$40 million ITC project wins state approval

There was good news for the University of Northern Iowa in the budget adopted by the Legislature and signed into law by Gov. Kim Reynolds. UNI's request for a major renovation and expansion of the Industrial Technology Center was fully funded over the next four years.
UNI campus

Federal policy reversal a relief for UNI international students

International students and campus administrators at the University of Northern Iowa breathed a sigh of relief after the federal government rescinded a policy decision Tuesday that could have forced thousands of international students across the country to return home amidst a global pandemic.
Waterloo mayor and UNI alum Quentin Hart.

Waterloo mayor, a UNI alum, is building bridges

Elected five years ago as the first African-American mayor in Waterloo’s 147-year history, UNI graduate Quentin Hart has focused ever since on building bridges.
UNI AmeriCorps members install a residential garden.

New UNI program to install residential gardens, remove food barriers

A new University of Northern Iowa project will provide services to install vegetable and pollinator gardens free of charge to residents in the Cedar Valley as part of an ongoing effort to address issues of food insecurity. The Backyard Steward Initiative is a new program from UNI’s Green Iowa AmeriCorps, based at the Center for Energy & Environmental Education, that kicked off with a training session on garden installation last week. 
A UNI student puts up a diversity mural in Waterloo.

UNI mural project highlights Cedar Valley's diversity

During this time of national discussion of racial inequality, UNI is uplifting underrepresented voices. The Diversity Is Our Strength project aims to challenge racism and stereotypes about the Cedar Valley in a visible way with a downtown Waterloo mural and accompanying website.
Gabby Rivera, Marvel’s first LGBTQ Latinx writer

‘I want to kick that door wide open’ An interview with Gabby Rivera

Marvel’s first Latinx writer is on a mission to spread joy and acceptance through her work. A campus visit this spring was rescheduled due to COVID-19, but in this interview with Inside UNI — shared now in honor of Pride Month — she shares her inspiring message and updates on her latest projects.