2024-2025 Year in Review | What We Accomplished

Read below to learn about some of our initiatives, events, and accomplishments throughout this last year! 

As the 2024–2025 academic year comes to a close, the University of Northern Iowa’s Office of International Engagement (OIE) reflects on a dynamic year filled with cultural exchange, celebration, and deepening global connection. With events that spanned continents in spirit and brought together students, faculty, and the broader community, this year highlighted the vibrant diversity of the Global Panther Family—and the power of shared experience. The journey began in Fall 2024 with a warm welcome to over 70 new international students and more than 200 returning students. Our Fall Orientation Week was packed with informational sessions, cultural introductions, and opportunities for students to connect as they settled into life at UNI. This momentum continued with our Welcome Picnic, where students, staff, and faculty gathered for food, fun, and community bonding to kick off the semester.

In celebration of the Mid-Autumn Festival, OIE partnered with the Hearst Center for the Arts for an evening filled with traditional mooncakes, lantern decorating, and storytelling, inviting both students and local families to enjoy this cherished holiday together. Later in the semester, international students had the chance to explore rural Iowa with Professor Chris Schrage, enjoying an afternoon of kayaking, volleyball, homemade ice cream, and even tractor driving—a true taste of the Midwest.

This fall also saw strong international participation in UNI Homecoming Week, where students took part in the Traditionals Amazing Race, racing around campus while learning about UNI’s most beloved customs. The energy continued into the Homecoming Parade, where international students proudly showcased their cultures in partnership with the International Student Promoters.Cultural celebrations flourished with the return of AfroBeats Night, a high-energy event hosted with the African Student Union and Campus Activities Board (CAB), featuring a local DJ specializing in AfroBeats. The OIE office also played a key role in International Education Week, presenting a rich lineup that included a Taste of Culture, a Japanese Tea Ceremony, a scholar lecture by Luthando Molefe, and an International Movie Hour organized by student leader Arta Berisha. A unique highlight of the fall was the collaboration with Prolific Magazine, a student-run publication that worked with international students to feature their cultural clothing and personal stories in a powerful photo spread and accompanying articles. Additionally, OIE collaborated with Staci Toma and her West African and Brazilian drum ensembles, offering rhythmic performances at multiple events including AfroBeats Night and the Taste of Culture.

Academically, OIE was honored to host 26 Korean students as part of the KIAT STEM Exchange Program, a collaboration with the Institute of International Education (IIE) and the Korea Institute for Advancement of Technology. This initiative provided Korean students with immersive experiences in American education and industry while encouraging cross-cultural collaboration in STEM fields.The fall semester concluded with a heartfelt December Graduation Ceremony, celebrating not only our graduates but also U-Grad students who spent a semester at UNI through exchange programs. It’s always a privilege to witness the full circle of their journeys—from first arrival to final farewell.

As we moved into Spring 2025, the energy and engagement continued. OIE kicked off the semester with another Spring Orientation for new arrivals, laying the groundwork for a rich and inclusive experience. We also welcomed students from Mérida, Mexico as part of the Marista Immersion Program, hosted through UNI’s Cultural and Intensive English Program (CIEP). These students immersed themselves in American academics and culture while forming meaningful friendships across campus.

In partnership with the International Club of Business Students (ICBS), we hosted a joyous Eid celebration to mark the end of Ramadan, filled with delicious food, henna, and community spirit. That spirit continued into our lively Holi Festival, co-hosted once again with the Hearst Center for the Arts. Students and community members celebrated this Hindu festival of colors with tie-dye, traditional snacks, chai, rangoli, and block printing—culminating in a colorful powder battle just before a surprise Iowa thunderstorm rolled in!

In collaboration with GBPAC, international students also participated in Japan-focused events leading up to a live performance by Yamato: The Drummers of Japan, and had the chance to explore cultural practices through Japan Workshops held throughout the spring semester. Other celebrations included a festive Lunar New Year gathering, bringing together students from across Asia and the larger UNI community to ring in the new year with traditional foods and customs. A highlight of the spring was a regional trip to Chicago, offering students the opportunity to experience one of America’s most iconic cities while bonding with fellow Panthers and exploring urban culture beyond campus.

As we look back on this extraordinary year, we are filled with pride and gratitude—for the students who shared their cultures and stories, the faculty who supported them, and the community partners who made it all possible. Through each event and initiative, the OIE reaffirmed its commitment to building a truly global campus—one where every student feels seen, heard, and celebrated.

Here’s to continuing the journey in the coming year—with open minds, open hearts, and an ever-expanding circle of connection.