Alumni Stories & News

De'Veon Harris

From athlete to mentor, UNI football alum De’Veon Harris helping Cedar Rapids students

A University of Northern Iowa alum and former football player, De'Veon Harris had hopes of playing all the way to the NFL, but injury struck and he had to change directions. Today Harris, a first-generation college graduate who came from a low-income background, is helping Cedar Rapids students reach their goals through his work with Educational Talent Search - a TRIO program that was recently expanded to the Cedar Rapids School District. 
Suzan Turner

UNI alum wins Iowa History Teacher of the Year award

The latest winner of Iowa History Teacher of the Year from the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History is 1993 UNI graduate Suzan Turner.
Roughly 40 years in the making, 79-year-old UNI student Marva Eck earns BLS degree

Roughly 40 years in the making, 79-year-old UNI student earns BLS degree

Roughly 40 years in the making, 79-year-old UNI student Marva Eck earns BLS degree
For 79-year-old Marva Eck, taking classes was more of a hobby — she never really thought that one day it could result in a degree — but that's exactly what happened this past summer as Eck took her last classes to complete a Bachelor of Liberal Studies degree.
 …
Andrew Morse

Andrew Morse to depart UNI for Central Washington University

Andrew Morse is departing the senior leadership team at the University of Northern Iowa, his alma mater, to serve as Chief of Staff at Central Washington University in Ellensburg, Wash. 
Aaron Wiese

Hy-Vee names UNI alum as new CEO

Hy-Vee Chairman and CEO Randy Edeker has named Aaron Wiese, who studied political science at UNI, as Hy-Vee’s next CEO, effective Oct. 1, 2022.
Nickole Dillard

UNI alum pays it forward to next generation with work as director of Educational Opportunity Center

Nickole DillardIf you ask Nickole Dillard why she is so passionate about the work TRIO programs at University of Northern Iowa Center for Urban Education (UNI-CUE) do, she’d tell you, “I am TRIO.”

Christine Deam (left) with oldest son Chase, youngest son Christian and husband Matt.

‘Never too late’: After 20 years of delay, 46-year-old UNI graduate earns long-desired degree

Christine Deam with oldest son Chase, youngest son Christian,and husband Matt. For 20 years, thoughts of returning to college and finishing her bachelor’s degree have lived in the back of Christine Deam’s brain, quietly reminding her of goals left unfinished.

UNI Kamerick Building

UNI Gallery of Art to feature day of music and artwork by female creators

UNI Kamerick Building

The University of Northern Iowa Gallery of Art is hosting a day of art and music from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on July 24, 2022.

Chris stark

Reaching for the stars: the UNI alum and astrophysicist behind James Webb Space Telescope launch

The farthest reaches of the final frontier are about to be photographed, thanks in part to a UNI physics alum.
Amy Nielsen

UNI professor who was a first-generation college student distinguishes herself as emerging leader

UNI Professor of Special Education Amy Nielsen will be one of 36 faculty members from across the country in this year's Emerging Leaders Program cohort.