CEDAR FALLS, Iowa – The University of Northern Iowa is pleased to announce that Stewart Carter will serve as UNI’s chief applied engineering administrator, bringing a wealth of experience and leadership to the newly-established Department of Applied Engineering at UNI.

“I am very excited about the creation of Applied Engineering at UNI and being selected to lead this effort,” Carter said. “The field of engineering has continued to grow over the last decade and is expected to grow at an even faster pace in the future. With the addition of the Applied Engineering department, UNI is now well positioned to be a part of this growth.”

Carter will oversee the development of the Department of Applied Engineering at UNI, foster industry partnerships to establish robust career pathways for students and drive enrollment growth in UNI’s engineering and technical programs. Engineering careers are in high demand in Iowa, with the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimating a large need for engineers and engineering-related professionals due to job growth and replacing those who retire from the workforce.

UNI offers a variety of engineering-focused degrees, including automation, electrical, manufacturing, mechanical and more. Engineering at the University of Northern Iowa is housed in UNI’s newly-renovated Applied Engineering Building, which will soon be home to the most modern metal casting foundry in the United States. These upgrades are made possible thanks to more than $40 million in state funding and more than $4 million of additional donor support. Gifts continue to be accepted by the UNI Foundation. In addition to the Applied Engineering Building, students at the Foundry 4.0 Center at the TechWorks Campus in Waterloo explore new technologies and their feasibility in the foundry industry. 

“My vision is to leverage the success the program has had in the past, while charting a future that ensures the majors offered at UNI are relevant with industry requirements, both today and in the future,” said Carter. “I want prospective students to see UNI as an engineering university that offers a variety of engineering and technology majors. In addition, we will showcase UNI's Applied Engineering program as a student-friendly learning environment consisting of hands-on application, smaller class sizes, state of the art labs and world class instructors."

Carter, an alumnus of the University of Northern Iowa’s MBA program, holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Southern University A&M and began his academic journey at Iowa State University. He has dedicated 34 years to John Deere in various leadership roles across engineering, manufacturing, operations, supply chain and logistics. In addition, Carter has been a committed advocate for education and community development, serving on advisory boards for the Wilson College of Business, Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Mississippi Valley and the National Society of Black Engineers.

“We extend a heartfelt welcome to Stewart Carter as he joins the UNI community,” said University of Northern Iowa President Mark Nook. “Applied engineering is another example of how UNI is evolving to provide the academic programs our students will need today and in the future. Stewart’s professional experience at John Deere, combined with the investment in UNI’s applied engineering by the state of Iowa and the business community demonstrates the continued collaborative spirit of helping UNI meet the ongoing workforce needs in our state.”

“I’m excited about the future of UNI’s new department of applied engineering under Stewart Carter’s leadership,” said Dave Takes, president and CEO of Doerfer Companies. “With over 25 years of experience in the private sector, Stewart has a proven track record of driving innovation and excellence. His experience and industry insights will undoubtedly shape the next generation of graduates in applied engineering.”

With Carter’s leadership and UNI’s state-of-the-art facilities, the University of Northern Iowa is poised to meet Iowa's engineering workforce needs. Engineering at UNI allows students to build, engineer and design to solve the problems of the future through comprehensive engineering programs and technology degrees.

Students interested in pursuing engineering degrees or enrolling in engineering courses can explore opportunities by visiting UNI’s website.

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