UNI to showcase statewide impact at UNI Day at the Capitol
The University of Northern Iowa will host UNI Day at the Capitol from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 14 at the Iowa Capitol in Des Moines. This annual event showcases UNI’s impact on the entire state of Iowa through its programs, services, students and alumni. Faculty, staff and students will be present to share their love for UNI.
“It is always a privilege to share how UNI is making a very tangible difference throughout the state of Iowa,” said President Mark A. Nook. “We are equipping college students with the professional skills employers need the most, so they are ready to contribute in Iowa’s most high-need areas immediately after graduation.”
Ninety-one percent of UNI’s 2022 graduates earned degrees that align with Iowa’s most high-demand occupations including education, business, finance, community services and health care. Because four of the top 10 jobs in the state are teaching positions, recruiting and maintaining quality teachers remains a top priority. As the state’s top producer of teachers in terms of both size and quality, UNI is up for the challenge. UNI is requesting an additional $4 million in state funding to invest in students who will become our future teachers.
Keeping the cost of a UNI education affordable is crucial to keeping UNI competitive and increasing its enrollment. This is why UNI is requesting an additional $4 million in state funding to keep tuition and fees as close to flat as possible. When tuition is more affordable, students don’t have to take on as much debt. UNI students already graduate with less debt than the average college student.
In the last year, UNI has made getting a four-year degree more accessible than ever before for adult and place-bound learners through the UNI at Iowa Community College (UNI@IACC) partnership. This partnership allows more individuals to meet critical workforce needs by getting a four-year degree without having to leave their hometowns. UNI is requesting $2 million to expand the initiative and make even more Iowans future ready.