The University of Northern Iowa has partnered with the Iowa Department of Education to become the new statewide hub for the Iowa Migratory Education Program — a federally funded, state-administered initiative that supports the education of nearly 4,000 children of migratory agricultural workers across Iowa.

The program provides essential services to eligible students who have recently moved across school district lines due to seasonal or temporary agricultural work. With a growing population of migratory children — which has doubled over the past decade — these students are among the most vulnerable in the state. Frequent moves and high levels of poverty often create significant barriers to education for migratory families.

A coordinating team at UNI — comprised of Jim O’Loughlin, Carolina Coronado-Park and Benjamin Forsyth — has worked closely with the Iowa Department of Education over recent months to establish the program within UNI’s Department of Languages & Literatures.

“It has been exciting to work on an initiative that brings new jobs to Iowa and expands UNI’s impact on education in the state,” said O’Loughlin. “We are all looking forward to the work of the year to come.”

The approved annual budget of approximately $1.3 million, secured through federal funds, enables the Migratory Education Program to maintain a team of remote workers who support school districts, migratory families, and education stakeholders at both the state and national levels.

In June, the team welcomed Marina Durinova as the new MEP program manager. A UNI alum with an MA in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL), Durinova brings experience in both language instruction and educational program development.

“UNI, as the leading producer of educators in Iowa, offers a unique opportunity to connect MEP services with educator preparation and professional development programs,” said Durinova. “Its proximity to major migratory populations — particularly farmworkers in northern Iowa — strengthens its role as a strategic home for the program.”

The university also benefits from existing partnerships with local districts. Waterloo Community School District, a key local operating agency, already offers summer programming for migratory students on UNI’s campus and provides year-round services to families.

“By anchoring the Migratory Education Program at UNI, the Iowa Department of Education is positioning the state to deliver more coordinated, effective support to migratory students and their families," said Iowa Department of Education Division Administrator Tina Wahlert. “We are excited to work in partnership with UNI’s Department of Languages & Literatures to best support the unique needs and academic success of Iowa’s migratory children and their families.”