Business and Community Services Stories & News

Photo of Russel and Laurie with giant check

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

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.
UNI and John Deere leadership

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.
Sam Parakkal presenting about JoyCorps

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.
UNI alum Greg Jass

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.
Green Brewery Logo

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).
Maria Alverio

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.
IWRC staff working with brewery

UNI's Iowa Waste Reduction Center receives EPA Pollution Prevention Award

The Iowa Waste Reduction Center at the University of Northern Iowa was recently selected to receive an EPA Region 7 2021 Pollution Prevention Award. The award will be formally presented on Oct. 26 during ceremonies at the Midwest Environmental Compliance Conference.

Iowa Waste Reduction Center awarded USDA grant to reduce community waste

The Iowa Waste Reduction Center (IWRC) at the University of Northern Iowa was recently awarded a grant for their Community Waste Diversion Project that will provide technical assistance, training and educational information by hosting an on-site, hands-on workshop.

UNI's STAR4D grows painter training program for U.S. Department of Defense

A nationally recognized painter training program at the University of Northern Iowa has been awarded a federal contract to provide training at 20 U.S. military sites across the country.