Hi everyone!

I’m Madison, the BCS Marketing Intern, and I’ll be taking over the BCS Brief while Katie is on maternity leave. For those who don’t know me, I’m a senior from Earlham, Iowa, studying Real Estate and Marketing with a minor in Entrepreneurship. I’m also the Director of Marketing for UNI Dance Marathon, a student-led organization on campus that raises funds and awareness for the University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital. When I’m not working or in class, you can usually find me reading a book, spending time with friends and family, or catching up on the newest reality TV show! 

I’m excited to be putting together the newsletter and keeping everyone updated on all things BCS! 

Check out this month’s updates below. 

Madison Ballard ‘27

Marketing Intern

BCS

• September 7 — Labor Day Holiday, no classes

• September 11 — Friday Seminar hosted in BCS30

• September 21 — BCS Potluck in BCS30

• September 25-27 — UNI Family Weekend

• September 26 — Family Weekend Wilson College Brunch, 9-11 a.m.

• October 1 — IA-CEO’s Employee Ownership Annual Conference

• October 1 — Family Business Center webinar on family business branding

• October 9 — Homecoming Bash, 5-9 p.m.

• October 10 — Homecoming Parade

This Homecoming, BCS is taking a look into the future! We’re putting a fortune teller-inspired spin on this year’s “The Future is Purple” theme during the parade on Saturday, October 10. Come see what the future has in store and celebrate the many paths that lead to UNI!

ALL ARE WELCOME. RSVP and find details here >>

Iowa communities and businesses face no shortage of challenges. They need data to make decisions, plans for future growth, strategies to strengthen local economies and trusted partners to help navigate it all.

Many of them turn to the University of Northern Iowa for help.

Through its 12 outreach organizations, UNI's Business and Community Services (BCS) connects communities, businesses, nonprofits and public agencies with in-house industry leaders who help tackle complex problems. 

And the impact is vast. BCS reaches all 99 Iowa counties and beyond every year, helping clients make informed decisions. Last year, the organization reached 235,000 Iowans and 4,662 unique businesses.

"At the end of the day, our focus is on how we're helping meet that community's need, that entrepreneur's need or that business's need," said Drew Conrad, executive director of BCS and director of the Institute for Decision Making (IDM). 

Click here to keep reading >>

Did you know that we offer webinars to help small businesses navigate taxes? These free Iowa business tax webinars are presented in partnership with the Iowa Department of Revenue and the University of Northern Iowa’s John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center.

September 9 — Utility Replacement Tax Allocation Basics

October 14 — Tax Professionals Basics

November 4 — Individual Income Tax Update

December 9 — Electronic Submission of W-es and 1099s

See the full calendar of upcoming and past webinars here >>

Kiptia Lima Akhter, who welcomed baby Ashor Ashraf Rayash Bhuiya on August 14. Congratulations, Kiptia! 

Katie Kreis-Voigt, who welcomed baby Emma Marie Kreis-Voigt on August 17. Congratulations, Katie! 

• September 1 — Medicare 101: What You Need to Know Before You Enroll 

• September 1  — Walk, Talk & Connect

• September 2 — EFR: Find Your Focus

• September 2 — SHIIP: Welcome to Medicare Seminar

• September 3 — Meet with TIAA Consultant

• September 4 — Walk, Talk & Connect

• September 8 — Walk, Talk & Connect

• September 9 — New Hire Orientation

• September 9 — TIAA: How Can I Afford College for My Kids and Grandkids? 

• September 11 — Retiring Before 65? Here’s How to Stay Covered Until Medicare

• September 11 — Walk, Talk & Connect

• September 15 — Walk, Talk & Connect

• September 16 — Social Security: What You Need to Know

• September 17 — Meet with a TIAA Consultant

• September 18 — Walk, Talk  & Connect

• September 22 — Retire from UNI

• September 22 — Everything Starts with Ownership

• September 22 — Walk, Talk & Connect

• September 25 — Confidential Biometric Screening

• September 25 — Walk, Talk & Connect

• September 29 — Walk, Talk & Connect

  Find all HRS events here.

• September 22 — Drew Conrad, Business and Community Services/Institute for Decision Making

• September 24 — Mark Harrington, Iowa Waste Reduction Center

• September 29 — Patrick Luensmann, John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center

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