Success Stories Stories & News

Christina Johansen in dorm room

Nursing major from Nebraska finds a home at UNI

For Christina Johansen, coming to the University of Northern Iowa and taking advantage of Neighboring State Rate was the “best decision” she’s made.
Braylee Kimberley

A love of making things by hand led to a mechanical engineering degree

Braylee Kimberley's mechanical engineering technology degree from UNI and a hands-on internship are setting her up for a successful career.
Brock Trenkamp standing in gym

UNI PE major confidently embarks on student teaching

Following a packed experience as a University of Northern Iowa student who was involved in just about everything, Brock Trenkamp is ready for his next adventure: student teaching.
Nursing student Addison Miller working in the simulation labs.

A step ahead: UNI’s first nursing students enter final year with extensive clinical experience

Students in the first-ever cohort of the University of Northern Iowa’s nursing program are entering their final year with strengthened clinical skills and a strong path to their future as registered nurses.
Miah Phalen preparing banner in her classroom

First-year teacher Miah Phalen prepares to welcome students

For Miah Phalen, this back-to-school season is special. For the first time in many years, she’s not starting a new academic year as a student. This year, she’s the teacher, leading her own classroom at Weber Elementary School in Iowa City.
Ivana Ebersole in Georgetown

From UNI to the Smithsonian: Finding a place in the museum world

A summer internship at the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History is giving UNI history graduate Ivana Ebersole a behind-the-scenes look at one of the world's leading museums while helping her discover where she fits in the museum profession.
UNI students Breyer Ellison, Muhammad Khan Niazi and Reiter Patzner earned the gold national advertising award.

UNI students win Gold national advertising award

A group of UNI students came home with the competition’s highest honors at the National American Advertising Awards, the advertising industry’s largest competition, which attracts more than 25,000 entries each year from both industry professionals and students.
Anissa working on a fragment of Grant Woods' drawing

UNI student helps preserve hidden Grant Wood history for upcoming documentary

Not many college students get the chance to work with a historic piece of art created by an internationally-renowned artist – but for University of Northern Iowa student Anissa Droessler, that rare opportunity became a reality. Droessler, a UNI Art Education major, recently contributed to a documentary project centered on Grant Wood’s World War I memorial windows, located in the Cedar Rapids Veterans Memorial Building.
Spring 2026 grads

Meet the spring 2026 graduating class

Keep reading to meet a few members of spring 2026 graduation class and make sure you tell them “congrats!” if you see them in person!
Alexis Munsell

This UNI grad found a path at a major accounting firm immediately after graduation

Alexis Munsell loves living the life of an accountant. It was a dream she realized at the University of Northern Iowa.