Future Vision

UNI’s Future Vision was developed in 2018-2019 by a broad representative workgroup from across campus, including student leadership and a community representative. The workgroup was charged with researching and learning about future trends impacting higher education, Iowa and the broader world, and recommending a set of vision elements for UNI in 2051 – our 175th anniversary. President Nook noted, “We need to be thinking and planning well into the future. The decisions we make today will impact UNI 30 years in the future.” He challenged the workgroup to also consider and prepare our ‘why we exist statement.’

The Foundation for our Future

Our Why

The University of Northern Iowa’s purpose is to enrich lives, communities, and the world through our students, faculty, staff, and alumni.

Through personalized attention, we create an environment in which every person is able to reach their academic, professional, and personal life goals.
By investing in the success of our students, faculty, and staff, we empower individuals to build strong senses of purpose, community, and responsibility.
By investing in individuals, we innovate ethical solutions to the problems of our time.

Our Vision for 2051

The University of Northern Iowa is focused on serving the greater good by providing support for our students, faculty, and staff. We value humility and embrace our responsibility to enrich lives, communities, and the broader world through our work, empowering our students to achieve beyond what they once thought possible. Students and employees from diverse backgrounds create a strong sense of community with a personal touch. We help students excel through rich intellectual development, and our graduates are known for their emotional intelligence. The learning experience is considered a valuable investment by students and their families. Overall, the University is adept and relevant in a constantly changing higher education landscape and innovation is recognized and rewarded.

Based on our foundation of educator preparation, undergraduate education and pre-professional preparation, UNI is known for these characteristics: The University of Northern Iowa…

Provides integrated and engaged learning opportunities for multiple phases of individuals’ lives to foster academic and professional success, elevate civic engagement and meet personal life goals.

UNI leads in the evolution of liberal arts education to integrate experiential learning as a critical component in the development of 21st century knowledge and skills.
UNI offers an intentional education that integrates intellectual, social-emotional, and civic capacities with an understanding of cultural competency and responsibility.
UNI challenges students to think broadly, ethically, and globally.

Widens the pipeline of educational opportunity and enhances quality of life by insuring access for individuals and the community to a supportive education and campus while retaining a sense of community and affinity for the University.

Remote learners are a part of the UNI community and receive counseling guidance, career services, and other forms of support that are the hallmark of the UNI experience.
UNI provides opportunities for learners to have a strong connection between the classroom and the broader community.
UNI remains connected to its alumni by providing lifelong learning opportunities.

Enhances the reach of human capital and is engaged in solving real world problems and meeting emerging societal needs.

Our students graduate prepared to lead positive change in their communities and workplaces and serve as outstanding brand ambassadors for UNI. Our graduates leave UNI with broad abilities and problem solving skills.
We have extensive relationships with valued partners, such as community organizations, businesses and associations, local, state, and national governments, and other educational entities for the purpose of advancing the university’s impact.
We continue to elevate direct interaction and assistance with businesses, communities, and nonprofit entities for the purpose of growing the economy, strengthening workforce participation and outcomes, and nurturing a rich quality of life.

Enhances living, learning, and working environments to achieve diversity, equity, inclusion, and a sense of community while responding to the changing demography of the population.

UNI is continually broadening and growing enrollment through the identification of highimpact practices that put UNI in a position to achieve a diverse student body.
UNI creates time, resources, and expectations for professional development in service to support the well-being of learners from all backgrounds.
UNI successfully addresses the cost of entry, retention, and completion for diverse and low income populations of students.

Integrates and ethically leads the application of emerging technologies and practices and provides an environment to ensure vitality through its academic programs and business operations.

UNI prepares learners to effectively incorporate automated tasks, jobs, and industries.
UNI integrates advanced technologies across academic programs and co-curricular learning opportunities at appropriate levels, much like mathematics, communications, critical thinking, multi-cultural competence and other core concepts that have been integrated into curricula.
UNI’s faculty, staff, and students conduct high quality, applied research to test and scale the integration of big data, AI, VR, and automation across fields and industries that align with the disciplinary landscape at UNI.

Efficiently and effectively utilizes campus spaces and resources to best support the university mission.

UNI provides high quality, safe, and accessible facilities for effective teaching, learning, student life, community outreach, and university events and activities.
UNI offers aesthetically appealing, modern, and adaptable facilities the university intentionally uses as a draw for students.
UNI intentionally links the university’s brand and the vibe of campus spaces.
UNI ensures campus spaces support the goal attainment of students and employees.
UNI uses facilities to create and enhance partnerships and bolster engagement with Iowa communities.
UNI insures robust and transparent planning processes.

Summary of key points for the future vision:

UNI in 2051:

Provides integrated and engaged learning opportunities for multiple phases of individuals’ lives to foster academic and professional success, elevate civic engagement, and meet personal life goals. (High quality and relevant education)

Widens the pipeline of educational opportunity and enhances quality of life by insuring access for individuals and the community to a supportive education and campus while retaining a sense of community and affinity for the University. (Access and support for all)

Enhances the reach of human capital and is engaged in solving real world problems and meeting emerging societal needs. (Real world engagement)

Enhances living, learning, and working environments to achieve diversity, equity, inclusion, and a sense of community while responding to the changing demography of the population. (Living diversity, equity, and inclusion)

Integrates and ethically leads the application of emerging technologies and practices and provides an environment to ensure vitality through its academic programs and business operations. (Digitally and educationally innovative)

Efficiently and effectively utilizes campus spaces and resources to best support the university mission. (Great steward of resources)