BCS | Inside UNI

Nov 02, 2023

The Heartbeat of Community

Think of the fond places you frequent in your hometown. Maybe it’s the corner pizza shop, the downtown grocery store, or the bank next door. In many towns, these businesses are essential, employing community members and providing the only goods and services available for miles.

Photo of Russel and Laurie with giant check

Aug 29, 2023

University of Northern Iowa alum wins first place and $40,000 at entrepreneurial venture competition

Russel Karim, a 2015 graduate of the University of Northern Iowa (UNI), won first place and a $40,000 prize at the 18th annual John Pappajohn Iowa Entrepreneurial Venture Competition. Karim’s business, Dhakai, enables eCommerce and promotional apparel brands to move from idea to final delivered products ethically, sustainably and cost-effectively through a single technology platform.

UNI staff in the Build a Better Iowa podcast studio

Jun 14, 2023

Podcast tells the story about UNI’s Business and Community Services

The University of Northern Iowa's Business and Community Services (BCS) launched a podcast in March 2023 to showcase its programs and services. The podcast, called "Building a Better Iowa," features interviews with people from each of BCS's 12 outreach programs. The podcast has been a hit, with two seasons released so far. The team plans to continue the podcast and dive deeper into the different stories and clients BCS services.

Jan 12, 2023

University of Northern Iowa celebrates 50+-year partnership with John Deere

UNI President Mark Nook and members of the UNI leadership team visited the John Deere Waterloo Operations facility for an annual meeting.

Nov 09, 2022

Working at the intersection of purpose and profit, UNI alum helps entrepreneurs build impactful businesses

UNI alum Sam Parkkal's life has come full circle from his time being mentored at the JPEC to now becoming a mentor as the executive director of JoyCorps.

Nov 04, 2022

Distinguished Awards Celebration honors notable UNI alumni and friends

University of Northern Iowa President Mark A. Nook, the UNI Alumni Association and the UNI Foundation will honor alumni and friends of the university at the President’s Distinguished Awards Celebration, on Friday, November 4.

Feb 23, 2022

Student entrepreneur runs Pakistan-based business from UNI campus

UNI's John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center has enabled one international student to run an e-commerce store based in Pakistan from Cedar Falls, Iowa.

Jan 24, 2022

UNI alum closes major business deal with top PR agency

New York-based PR agency Vested recently announced they had purchased Red Lab Technologies, a Cedar Falls digital marketing firm started by UNI alum Greg Jass.

Jan 05, 2022

UNI center certifies 31st Iowa brewery for sustainability efforts

Worth Brewing in Northwood, Iowa just became the 11th brewery in Iowa to achieve the Gold Certification from the Iowa Green Brewery Certification Program (IGBC).

Dec 09, 2021

Molding Her Future in Metal Casting

A $4.27 million private fundraising campaign for the Industrial Technology
Center (ITC) modernization project will provide students in the Department
of Technology with access to technology-enhanced classrooms and lab
spaces, directly benefiting students like Maria Alverio.

BCS Stories & News