We hope you enjoyed a restful Thanksgiving break. As December begins, it’s a natural time to reflect on the progress we’ve made together this year and to look ahead to the opportunities that await in 2026. Guided by our mission of Building a Better Iowa, we remain committed to strengthening communities and supporting businesses across the state. Thank you for the dedication and energy you’ve brought to our work in 2025—we’re excited to carry this momentum forward.

Please also note the upcoming paid holidays, in addition to the Governor’s two floating days of holiday time off:

• Thursday, Dec. 25, 2025
• Friday, Dec. 26, 2025
• Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026
• Monday, Jan. 19, 2026

Go Cats 🐾

🎁 Support student entrepreneurs this holiday season

The community is invited to a festive afternoon of holiday shopping at the first UNI Student Small Business Holiday Market on Wednesday, Dec. 10, from 2 to 6 p.m. at the Gallagher Bluedorn Performing Arts Center. The event, presented by the UNI John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center and Northern Iowa Student Government, will feature 21 student-owned businesses.

This free, family-friendly event invites the Cedar Valley community to discover and shop a variety of student-made products like handcrafted goods, apparel, artwork and bakery items — just in time for the holiday season. Located in the Gallagher Bluedorn lobby among holiday trees, participants can expect live music and festive treats.

• December 4 — Retirement party for Randy Pilkington in BCS, 1-4 p.m., with a brief program at 3 p.m.
• December 10 — JPEC and NISG to host holiday market of student vendors in the Gallagher Bluedorn lobby, open to campus and community
• December 18 — 24/7BLAC (Building Legacy and Community) entrepreneurship accelerator graduation
• December 25-26 — Paid Holidays

• Jordan Henniges (IWRC), who was recently promoted to Waste Reduction Coordinator
• Karla Organist (IDM), who was elected to be president of the National Rural Economic Developers Association (NREDA)
• Liesl Seabert (IDM), who was elected to the board of the Professional Developers of Iowa
• Drew Conrad (BCS/IDM) and Christy Ryken (SMS), who have been selected to serve on the Wilson College Dean search committee
• Deb Giarusso (Advance Iowa), who retired at the end of November

• December 8 — Christy Ryken, Strategic Marketing Services

• December 10 — Ana Bender, Iowa Waste Reduction Center

• December 13 — Todd Hutcheson, Advance Iowa

• December 21 — Drew Miller, Iowa Waste Reduction Center

• 1988 — Jim Olson, Iowa Waste Reduction Center
• 2017 — Darcy Wiegmann-Dally, BCS/IDM
• 2024 — Drew Miller, Iowa Waste Reduction Center

Submit an item for the next monthly BCS Brief newsletter by emailing katie.kreis@uni.edu.