Business Stories & News

Photo of Business and Community Services

UNI Small Business Development Center helps area small businesses thrive

The University of Northern Iowa’s Small Business Development Center (SBDC) is here to help those growing or starting a business in the nine-county area around Waterloo and Cedar Falls. The center, which is housed in the John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center on campus, provides no-cost, confidential business counseling customized to each client’s needs.
UNI students practice metal casting

UNI’s Business and Community Services Center to attend the 2022 Foundry Industry 4.0 Conference in Illinois

UNI students practice metal castingCedar Falls, Iowa – The University of Northern Iowa Business and Community Services Center will be attending the 2022 Foundry Industry 4.0 Conference where metal casters can explore practical ways to implement Industry 4.0 technologies in their foundries. 

Russel Karim on Times Square jumbotron

From the JPEC to the Times Square jumbotron: one UNI alum’s journey to success in entrepreneurship

UNI graduate and former John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center resident Russel Karim has made it big time — on the Times Square jumbotron in New York City.
UNI Phi Beta Lambda members

UNI Phi Beta Lambda members win big at state leadership conference

UNI College of Business students in Iowa Phi Beta Lambda, a state organization dedicated to future business leaders, had a big showing at the state leadership conference in Coralville on April 1 and 2. Seven students, competing against schools around the state, either won or placed across 10 categories ranging from Accounting Principles to Future Business Education.  
Ribbon cutting at the new UNI JPEC space

UNI JPEC reorganization provides more space for student entrepreneurs to build businesses

The UNI JPEC is fueling entrepreneurship with more gusto than ever before thanks to a recent reorganization in the BCS building.
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.
A child stepping on giant books

What if…We Educated Citizens Rather Than Consumers?

Many years ago, when I was teaching at Augustana College in Rock Island, Illinois, I attended a talk given by Benjamin Barber, an American political theorist.  I remember the talk well, because he posed what seemed to me a profound question—did American colleges and universities educate their students to be citizens or consumers?  You might imagine that a political theorist would think we should strive to educate and develop good citizens first, perhaps even at the expense of educating them to be good consumers.  And you would be correct, at least in Barber’s case—that was his…
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.”
Students presenting

Business students learn creative problem-solving in managerial course

Being a creative but logical manager is an asset in today’s business world. That’s why Sarah Rosol, Instructor of Management, has centered her managerial problem-solving course around a “whole-brain approach,” mixing the analytical skills on the right side of the brain with the creative left side.
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.