UNI STRENGTHENING IOWA THROUGH SERVICE

Students, faculty and staff at the University of Northern Iowa believe community engagement is both a high impact learning method and a powerful tool to strengthen the community. UNI is connected and committed to always improving the Cedar Valley and Iowa with over 78 percent of the student body volunteering. This dedication was recently recognized by the President of the United States.

Each year, the President of the United States recognizes higher education institutions for their exemplary commitment to and achievement in community service. The National Community Service Honor Roll is the highest federal recognition of the contributions that colleges and their students make to local communities and the nation.

UNI has been named to the Honor Roll since the award's inception in 2008 and since then, UNI students have volunteered nearly 2.8 million hours. This year, UNI has been named the winner of the Economic Opportunity category for the 2015 President's Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll for three projects: "Economic Assistance for Low Income Waterloo Neighborhoods," "Service and Learning Throughout Entrepreneurship" and "Improving Access to Fruits and Vegetables for Families in Need in Black Hawk County."

"We are incredibly proud of the dedication of the UNI community, especially the staff and students who made our recognition in the President's Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll a reality," said UNI Interim President Jim Wohlpart.

UNI recently engaged in a strategic planning process to focus more resources toward community engagement, which is the largest initiative across campus. In fact, a Faculty Fellow was designated to specifically focus on coordinating and elevating community engagement into all aspects of UNI.

UNI's dedication to strengthening the community through highly impactful projects is a direct reflection of the ongoing mission and continuous efforts that have produced great outcomes.

The University of Northern Iowa looks forward to enhancing programming and supporting all involved in community engagement, from on-campus students to those within the greater community. Everyone deserves to feel the impact of service while working together across the community.