Wilson College of Business Stories & News

UNI helps develop new legislation to promote sustainable food practices, reduce food waste

New federal legislation introduced today would promote sustainable food practices and food waste reduction by partnering research centers like one at the University of Northern Iowa with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. UNI has been instrumental in working with Congress to develop legislation that will bring effective and sustainable solutions to reducing food waste.

Andrew Conrad

UNI director honored for statewide impact

As director of UNI’s Institute for Decision Making, Drew Conrad helps organizations and communities build better futures through informed decision making. His work was recently recognized when he received the Iowa Association of Business and Industry (ABI) Leadership for Iowa award, but making impactful change has been a lifelong passion for the UNI alum and Washburn native.
Working from Home

Working Remotely - A Year in Review

Since March 2020, many organizations have moved to a work-from-home model to limit as much person-to-person contact as possible. And it’s stuck longer than many expected at first. In fact, in June 2020, S&P Global found 67% of companies expected the shift to stick, at least in some capacity. 
Elon Musk

Bucking the 'MBA-ization of America'

Elon Musk, the popular founder of Tesla and SpaceX, sent shockwaves through the business world when he criticized the “MBA-ization of America.” His point: Too many business executives focus on financials and meetings—taught to them by various masters of business administration (MBA) programs—rather than the products and services themselves. 
Closed Sign

Good-bye, mom and pop restaurants and shops

Most of my readers are familiar with small towns in Iowa that have longstanding family-owned businesses, such as family eateries. Grandparents, parents, and children may own and work in these restaurants. They often have loyal employees that are “part of the family.” These owners may be unable to afford to pay their workers much more than $10 per hour, to say nothing of the proposed $15 per hour minimum wage.
Dictionary Billionaire

All hail the billionaire

After months of dreary experimentation in her basement, Dr. von Frankenstein, PhD, has concocted an effective antidote and vaccine for a deadly virus sweeping the United States. She files and receives a patent for her discovery.
Piggy Bank

New ways to milk customers

There’s a new way marketers are getting young people to fork over their money. The new tactic revolves around consumers making four payments of one-quarter the retail price of an item (Amanda Mull, “Jeans Now, Pay Later,” Atlantic, January/February 2021, 18-20). This is just the old come-on--“Buy now, pay later”—in a new guise.
ABP 2021

UNI Business class helps budget forecast for Iowa Arboretum

Ronnie Chen, assistant professor of finance, loves to bring practical experience into the classroom. When he saw an opportunity to the help the Iowa Arboretum, the Boone County nonprofit arboretum where he has volunteered for a couple of years, with its three-year budget, he seized it.
UNI campus

UNI to be Iowa host institution for worldwide climate change project

The University of Northern Iowa will be Iowa’s host institution for a worldwide project for educators and community members on what can be done in the state to address climate change over the next decade. 

Sharnae Lamar

Sharnae Lamar brings her talents overseas

Understanding personal finance is a luxury where Sharnae Lamar (Finance and Economics, ’16) grew up. On the east side of Des Moines, Lamar says there aren’t many people who know how to manage money, invest, grow income — so when she had the opportunity to go to college, business was of interest.