Marketing & Entrepreneurship Stories & News

Nathan Crooker

Elevator Pitch Competition provides three UNI student entrepreneurs with a cash prize to fund their ventures

With 90 seconds on the clock, 16 students from the University of Northern Iowa set out to prove they have what it takes to sustain a successful business.
Theodore Catnap served as the Mayor of vIowa

UNI documents its history in the metaverse

With all the buzz, you might think the Metaverse is a brand-new concept – the cutting edge of technology where all ideas are new and innovation is celebrated.  Meanwhile, University Archivist, Jaycie Vos is working to acquire more than a decades’ worth of historical and virtual documents related to UNI instruction, research, and creative activity in the metaverse. 
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.
OEI Competition

Students take home awards, experience from Okoboji Entrepreneurial Institute

A group of entrepreneurship students from the University of Northern Iowa John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center (JPEC) were selected to attend the Okoboji Entrepreneurial Institute (OEI) this summer, gaining valuable skills and taking home some hardware.
Madison Krarmer

UNI student Madison Kraemer elected national president of FBLA

Madison Kraemer (Marketing and Organizational Leadership, ’23) spent the last year serving on the national board of directors for Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA), a student organization dedicated to future business leaders in middle school, high school and college. Her goal quickly became to become president and help advocate for the organization.
A professor lecturing.

Marketing, entrepreneurship fellowship funded in honor of longtime marketing professor

The first named faculty fellowship in the Department of Marketing & Entrepreneurship was fully funded and will serve as a lasting reminder of one of the most celebrated professors and mentors at UNI’s College of Business.
BLK & Bold Coffee

Alumni's coffee business lands deal with NBA

Pernell Cezar, Jr. (Marketing and Financial Management, ’10) doesn’t allow himself too much time for pinch-me moments. The co-founder and CEO of BLK & Bold Specialty Coffee, Cezar prefers to look ahead — “keep my eye on the ball,” Cezar says. “I can get easily overwhelmed if I pause and acknowledge those moments.”
Members holding the trophy

UNI advertising team takes top honors

On Friday, April 22, 2022, a team of advertising students from UNI took home the top prize at the AAF District 9 National Student Advertising Competition (NSAC) in Kansas City, Missouri for their winning campaign for Meta to promote the Quest 2 VR headset.  
Pernell Cezar

Northern Iowa alum selected as influential leader

A UNI finance and marketing alum who co-founded the first Black-owned coffee business with national distribution has been named a 2022 Influential Leader by the world’s largest business education alliance. 
UNI Sales Center

University of Northern Iowa announces Center for Professional Sales Excellence

The University of Northern Iowa College of Business has a long tradition of exceptional preparation of sales professionals, and the newly established UNI Center for Professional Sales Excellence extends that impact on current students and offers comparable value to businesses across Iowa.  Featuring a dedicated space for sales development activities, student internship opportunities, and recruiting events, the UNI Sales Center will allow students to build skills, earn badges and certificates that showcase their professional sales capabilities, and build relationships with potential…