Immigration lawyer Heliodoro “Helio” Moreno, Jr. — the first in his family to graduate high school and college — credits two of his UNI political science professors with playing key roles in his law-school entry and legal career.
His legal expertise has been especially crucial as the federal government has sought to restrict immigration.
Growing up in Logan, Utah, UNI alum Kalyani Kannan struggled to see her LGBTQ identity reflected in her peers and mentors. As a graduate student at UNI, she found a supportive community and now, in her new role as LGBTQ student services coordinator, she's able to be the role model she needed when she was young.
Growing up in Khartoum, the capital city of Sudan, Alladin Dafalla was constantly reminded of the gap between the wealth of the city and poverty of the southern towns in the grip of war. Witnessing these disparities inspired him to undertake a career in public service and became the basis for an essay that recently won a national award.
When his family moved to the Midwest in 2013 in pursuit of better educational opportunities for Dafalla, now a senior at the University of Northern Iowa, and his older sister, he was surprised to see similar issues in the United States.
Working as a CNA at Mercy One Medical Center in Cedar Falls, junior pre-med biology and global health major Mikaela Elenz risked her health protecting COVID patients, some of whom died. Now, she, and other Panthers, are among the first in the state to get vaccinated, providing a welcome ray of hope after a difficult year of illness and uncertainty.
Every four years, thousands of athletes from across the globe gather for the Olympics and Paralympics. This year, the games are slated to be held in Tokyo and UNI Track and Field athlete Jessica Heims is on pace to compete as a member of the US Paralympic Team. With the help of local donor Dan Deery, her family won't miss the opportunity to watch her compete.
UNI NEWS SERVICES – The University of Northern Iowa welcomes the community to the 2nd Annual Cedar Valley Women’s March. Due to Covid-19 precautions, the march will shift its format to a virtual discussion and explore the intersections of feminism in the United States and Cedar Valley.
UNI NEWS SERVICES - A new University of Northern Iowa program launching today aims to spark community conversation about racial injustice and systemic change.
The program, Cultivating Justice: A Quest Toward Racial Equity, is sponsored by the Office of the Provost and starts Jan. 25. Through an emailed weekly newsletter, it will expose participants to new issues and ideas, as well as local resources. Participants can register online.
Systemic racism can take many forms, including in housing, medical care and the criminal justice system, but it can also occur in everyday technology - even automatic soap dispensers.
Not many students can say they have performed at the College Football National Championship, but 12 members of the UNI Panther Marching Band now have that honor.
UNI NEWS SERVICES – The University of Northern Iowa Community Music School will offer an in-person, music-making experience for children this spring. The University of Northern Iowa Children’s Choir (UNICC) is a choral ensemble for students in grades 3 through 7.
Spring rehearsals start Feb. 2 at 6:30 p.m., on the UNI campus.
