UNI Office of International Engagement

06/02/2026

International education is built on more than programs, policies, and partnerships, it is built on people.

Recently, members of UNI's International Engagement team attended the 2026 NAFSA Conference in Orlando, Florida, where thousands of international education professionals gathered to exchange ideas, share best practices, and explore the future of global engagement. Throughout the conference, one theme stood out: the importance of human connection in creating meaningful international experiences.

From strengthening partnerships and discussing innovative approaches to student support, to learning about emerging trends in recruitment, mobility, and global collaboration, the conference provided valuable opportunities for professional growth and relationship building. These conversations reinforced the critical role that cross-cultural exchange, collaboration, and personal connections play in advancing international education.

We are grateful for the opportunity to learn from colleagues around the world and look forward to applying these insights as we continue supporting international students and expanding global opportunities at the University of Northern Iowa.

University of Northern Iowa UNI International Admissions NAFSA Region IV NAFSA Association of International Educators

05/21/2026

For the past two years, we have hosted JOI coordinator, Maoko Umeda on UNI’s campus. Like many of our students, Maoko has come to call Iowa home away from home. Learn more about her in a highlight article from Live the Valley!

Read More About Maoko here: https://livethevalley.com/2026/05/13/2337/

05/19/2026

Through a partnership with the State of Parana in Brazil and Griffe Education, UNI has hosted 90+ Brazilians on campus this last year in a speciality English, Agribusiness, and Entrepreneurship Course!

Read more about their time at UNI here: https://www.educacao.pr.gov.br/Noticia/Vivencia-nos-EUA-marca-memoria-de-alunos-do-Parana-no-Ganhando-o-Mundo-Agricola?fbclid=IwdGRzaAR0G1FjbGNrBHQZ4GV4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkDDM1MDY4NTUzMTcyOAABHpsg9v2_-vraxdqKU3wMZe5woyfoS-BX7XiGBcjt7LsbhsIyyP8cyY5DyOrg_aem_5QcdJF49LxDvrHf8Qd4pKg&sfnsn=wa

05/17/2026

Class of 2026 🎓💜💛

Congratulations to all the graduates of the University of Northern Iowa. Years of hard work, memories, challenges, and growth all led to this moment. Wishing you all success in the next chapter of life. Proud to witness and capture such a special day.

05/15/2026

Hosting nearly 100 students from Parana during the 2025-2026 academic year was truly a delightful experience for us. We truly enjoyed welcoming each of these talented students to the University of Northern Iowa. Thank you so much for your trust, Secretaria de Estado da Educação do Paraná. We look forward to continuing our support for the youth from Parana, helping them grow not only in their intercultural experiences but also in their knowledge of agribusiness and entrepreneurship through collaborations with the UNI Culture and Intensive English Program and the UNI John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center. We’re excited about the opportunities ahead and to see even more students thrive in the future!

Vivência nos EUA marca memória de alunos do Paraná no Ganhando o Mundo Agrícola

Saiba mais: https://www.educacao.pr.gov.br/Noticia/Vivencia-nos-EUA-marca-memoria-de-alunos-do-Parana-no-Ganhando-o-Mundo-Agricola

05/15/2026

Moving from Japan to Iowa meant stepping into an entirely new culture, language, and way of life for Maoko Umeda.

What she didn’t expect was how quickly the Cedar Valley would begin to feel like home. 🥰

As a Japanese Outreach Initiative Coordinator at the University of Northern Iowa, Maoko has spent the last two years sharing Japanese culture throughout the community while discovering the warmth, connection, and sense of belonging that make the Cedar Valley special.

“Life here feels comfortable, and I feel like I can be myself.”

➡️ Read Maoko’s full story now at LivetheValley.com.

05/15/2026

It has been a pleasure to host Maoko Okeda, JOI Coordinator from Japan, at the University of Northern Iowa.
Japan Foundation 国際交流基金

05/15/2026

🎓 Celebrating our newest Spring 2026 graduates! 🌟 Today we honor the hard work, resilience, leadership, and achievements of our students as they take the next step toward their dreams. From lifelong friendships to unforgettable experiences, these graduates have left their mark on our community and inspired us along the way.

READ MORE about some of our graduates HERE: https://internationalengagement.uni.edu/spring-26-meet-our-graduates

Congratulations to the Class of Spring 2026 — your future is bright, and we can’t wait to see all that you accomplish! 💜

05/13/2026

We were pleased to host Ms. Jennifer Chu, Director of the Education Division, and Ms. Hao Hsueh, Project Manager of the Education Division, from the Economic & Cultural Office (TECO) in Chicago at the University of Northern Iowa campus.

This visit presented a valuable opportunity to highlight UNI's academic strengths and global engagement initiatives. It fostered constructive discussions on how TECO can support the promotion of Iowa's Partner State opportunities in Taiwan's higher education sector. We explored potential partnerships with institutions for dual degree programs and examined avenues for enhancing faculty and student mobility, which will pave the way for expanded collaborations between UNI and Taiwan.

Additionally, we learned about scholarship and immersion opportunities available in Taiwan for faculty, staff, and students, focusing on research collaborations and enriching study abroad experiences. We look forward to building on these initiatives and creating meaningful global opportunities for the UNI community moving forward. For more information about these opportunities, feel free to contact the UNI Study Abroad Center for students and the OIE for faculty and staff.

05/08/2026

We were honored to welcome our partners from Universidad de Piura to campus this week! 🌎

Dr. Paul Corcuera, Dr. Remy Balarezo, and Dr. Ivette Nuñez met with University of Northern Iowa leadership and faculty to strengthen our partnership through joint degree opportunities, student and faculty mobility, and future research collaborations.

What stood out most was our shared vision: putting students first while developing ethical professionals who will strengthen communities and local workforces in both Iowa and Piura. We’re excited for what’s ahead together! 🤝