College of Business
Message from the Dean
“In a crowded market for business education, what sets the UNI Wilson College of Business apart is our total commitment to student success — and the innovative, ambitious ways we deliver on that commitment.
Our more than 2,000 motivated students come from communities across Iowa, the region and the world. Their achievements at UNI and beyond are nothing short of remarkable — in credentialing exams and case competitions, in community service and consulting, in job placement and career success.
Today, the world needs their skills as never before — taking on the complex challenges of a globalized economy in diverse and dynamic work environments across the full range of industries and careers. Their path to leadership begins at UNI, and depends on our support. It’s time to invest in the next generation of student success.”
LESLIE K. WILSON
DEAN, WILSON COLLEGE OF BUSINESS
Campaign Priorities
- Keeping the College of Business affordable for the next generation of Panthers.
- Growing UNI-ted Business Scholarships for students from underrepresented backgrounds, as well as first- generation students.
- Increasing merit-based scholarships to help us attract students who raise the bar for achievement and strengthen the collaboration and dialogue for students in every program.
- Elevating our nationally recognized Professional Readiness Program® so every students graduates with credentials that sets them apart.
- Growing International Experience Scholarships to increase the number of graduates with international experience.
- Increasing Undergraduate Research Support to allow students to take on independent research projects.
- Creating new Professional Distinction Awards to reduce the costs for students to gain essential professional credentials and apply their business knowledge in academic competitions and conferences.
- Expanding student entrepreneur initiatives like the Early Founders Program, which supports student developed businesses.
- Endowing faculty positions that serve to recruit and retain exceptional faculty and elevate key programs, such as real estate, accounting, marketing and entrepreneurship, economics, finance, management information systems, business analytics and supply chain management.
- Growing the Data & Technology for Business Intelligence Fund so that faculty can engage students with industry-standard analytics tools, datasets, software and business technologies.
- Keeping the College of Business affordable for the next generation of Panthers.
- Growing UNI-ted Business Scholarships for students from underrepresented backgrounds, as well as first- generation students.
- Increasing merit-based scholarships to help us attract students who raise the bar for achievement and strengthen the collaboration and dialogue for students in every program.
- Elevating our nationally recognized Professional Readiness Program® so every students graduates with credentials that sets them apart.
- Growing International Experience Scholarships to increase the number of graduates with international experience.
- Increasing Undergraduate Research Support to allow students to take on independent research projects.
- Creating new Professional Distinction Awards to reduce the costs for students to gain essential professional credentials and apply their business knowledge in academic competitions and conferences.
- Expanding student entrepreneur initiatives like the Early Founders Program, which supports student developed businesses.
- Endowing faculty positions that serve to recruit and retain exceptional faculty and elevate key programs, such as real estate, accounting, marketing and entrepreneurship, economics, finance, management information systems, business analytics and supply chain management.
- Growing the Data & Technology for Business Intelligence Fund so that faculty can engage students with industry-standard analytics tools, datasets, software and business technologies.
Dean’s Fund for Excellence
- Providing agile support for emerging opportunities and immediate needs across the college.
- Supporting students in studying abroad, earning professional credentials and engaging in high-impact learning experiences.
- Giving our faculty access to databases, information resources and professional development activities.
- Connecting with alumni through events.
- Building relationships with international and community partners.
Hear from UNI faculty and students
LEARNING LIFELONG SKILLS
“Undergraduate research was one of the most important things that contributed to my success and my time at UNI. It taught me how to be a better writer. It taught me how to utilize library resources and web resources and so many things like that. But it also taught me really important presentation skills. It taught me networking skills, and it taught me to be more inquisitive and ask questions about the world.”
TRISTEN PROUSE ’23
ECONOMICS MAJOR
“SCHOLARSHIPS PLAYED A BIG ROLE IN WHAT I DO.”
“The hands-on experience is where you get down to realizing what the work is like. I’ve had a couple internships, and they really showed me how things in the classroom can be translated into work. Scholarships at UNI have definitely played a big role in my ability to be here and study what I do. They invest in somebody like me who they think is going to succeed in the future.”
JENTRY STAACK ’25
ACCOUNTING MASTERS
Learn more about Jentry's time at the Wilson College of Business
THE HEARTBEAT OF THE WILSON COLLEGE OF BUSINESS
“The Office for Professional Distinction is the heartbeat of the Wilson College of Business and our main purpose is serving students. We want to help with career preparations so that when they leave our doors they understand when they start their first job, what employer expectations are, so they have those soft skills.”
ELIZABETH SOLIZ
DIRECTOR, OFFICE FOR PROFESSIONAL DISTINCTION
BUILDING GLOBAL CONNECTIONS
“Through my Global Marketing major, I completed an internship with the Organization of Women in International Trade — but due to the pandemic, all of my work with them was virtual. When they announced their annual conference, I knew I wanted to find a way to attend in person. My faculty advisor, Dr. Christine Schrage, helped me apply for funding that allowed me to attend, meet all the executives I had been working with and build my network for the future.”
MARIANA CALDERON QUIROZ ’22
GLOBAL MARKETING MAJOR
TRANSAMERICA PROFESSIONAL DISTINCTION ACCESS FUND AWARD RECIPIENT
