Lt. Gov. Chris Cournoyer visited the University of Northern Iowa and UNI’s TechWorks Campus as part of a tour focused on workforce development, advanced manufacturing and regional economic growth.

The visit began at the Foundry 4.0 Center at the UNI TechWorks Campus in Waterloo, where the lieutenant governor received an overview of UNI’s work to support Iowa manufacturers through industry-aligned training, automation integration and hands-on innovation.

Cournoyer then traveled to the UNI campus in Cedar Falls for a tour of the Applied Engineering Building, where she learned about UNI’s engineering and construction management programs, student project spaces, and UNI’s investment in meeting Iowa’s growing demand for skilled engineers and technical professionals.

Her final stop was the Business & Community Services building, where she learned about statewide small business support and outreach programs that impact every county in Iowa. She also met with UNI students and graduates who are developing their own businesses through the John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center. 

“We’ve got tremendous resources here at the University of Northern Iowa, and it’s wonderful to see the collaborations with both state and federal resources and also with our private business industry and all the collaboration that’s going on here,” said Lt. Gov. Cournoyer. “It’s a real economic engine here, and it’s inspiring to see the next generation with these ideas coming to fruition.”

During the visit, university officials discussed UNI’s commitment to expanding access and affordability for students across the Midwest, including through its new neighboring state tuition rate.

“When you can come to Iowa from out of state, get in-state tuition which is very affordable and manageable, and get a great education here, you not only get the great education at UNI, you get the resources you need to succeed beyond graduation, and grow a business and stay here in the state where we have really great employers and job opportunities,” said Cournoyer. “So once you come to Iowa you’ll fall in love with it, and our quality of life and cost of living here and enjoy planting your roots here in Iowa.”

The lieutenant governor’s tour underscored UNI’s role as a key partner in strengthening Iowa’s talent pipeline and supporting economic vitality across the state.