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Caucuses cause chaos, opportunities for UNI professors

Three weeks remained before Iowa’s first-in-the-nation caucuses, but rounds of media interviews and education events had left UNI political science professor Donna Hoffman’s voice scratchy and fading. So when a French news outlet reached out to Hoffman — one of several UNI experts on Iowa’s idiosyncratic method for selecting presidential candidates — her voice couldn’t quite manage another phone or video interview.

UNI students kick-off Black History Month.

UNI student organization celebrates Black History Month

The Black Student Union at the University of Northern Iowa launched a celebration Monday of Black History Month with a kick-off ceremony at the Maucker Union, featuring chants, poetry and interpretive dances.

UNI students kick-off Black History Month.

Celebrate Black History Month at UNI

In celebration of Black History Month, the Black Student Union of the University of Northern Iowa will host a month-long series of events to showcase African American culture and provide the campus and community with a glimpse into the unique challenges minority students experience in higher education.

With a theme of “remembering the past while shaping our future,”  the February events will feature a mix of performances, exhibits and panels, including several new events, designed to be both entertaining and educational.

Retiring UNI professor Gloria Kirkland-Holmes.

Retiring UNI professor leaves legacy of literacy and leadership

Gloria Kirkland-Holmes overcame discrimination and self-doubt to become a valued member of the UNI community, launching a number of on-campus initiatives to promote diversity in her 41-year career at the university.
UNI associate professor of school psychology Nicole Skaar.

New UNI program addresses urgent need for school psychologists

A new program from the University of Northern Iowa and Green Hills Area Education Agency will help increase student access to mental health services in high-need, rural areas of western Iowa currently struggling to hire school psychologists. 
Prairie on a farm

UNI prairie project aims to improve water quality

A recent $200,000 grant will support the UNI Tallgrass Prairie Center’s mission to restore prairies, improve agriculture and increase the quality of life on farmland and beyond.
The team of UNI alumnus Russell Karim's new business, Dhakai.

UNI empowers entrepreneur’s impactful startup

UNI alumnus and entrepreneur Russell Karim's newest venture seeks to boost profitability and workers' salaries in apparel companies in his home country of Bangladesh.
UNI student Caleb Christine works in the Industrial Technology Center.

It's never too late to pursue a dream

These days, Caleb Christine has a lot of time to think. Mostly because he spends a lot of time in his car.

He has time to look back and peer ahead, to reflect on his time as a soldier, a police officer, a truck driver and a college drop-out. It’s his time to take stock of the many decisions that led him, at 38 years old with a wife and three kids, to enroll at the University of Northern Iowa and pursue a new career as an industrial technology teacher.

The Iowa capitol building in Des Moines.

UNI requests state funding to keep tuition affordable

UNI is again requesting an additional $4 million in state appropriations in an effort to maintain a competitive tuition for the 2020-21 academic year.
UNI graduate student Athena-Sade Whiteside sings at commencement.

Music shines light on UNI student’s life

After running away from an abusive home environment in high school and ending up in a youth homeless shelter, this student found solace in music at UNI.