Steve Yerkes

Steve Yerkes is passionate about helping students develop the knowledge, skills, and professional confidence needed to succeed in the financial planning profession. As an Associate Professor of Practice in Finance, he combines academic instruction with industry experience to create an engaging, practical, and student-centered learning environment.

Since joining UNI in 2015, Steve has played a key role in developing and leading the university's CFP® education program. He teaches upper-division financial planning courses that prepare students for careers in wealth management, financial planning, retirement planning, and related areas of financial services. His classes emphasize practical application, critical thinking, communication skills, and the client-centered approach necessary for success in the profession.

Steve helped develop UNI's personal finance curriculum, including a popular introductory course that is also offered through more than 90 Iowa high schools, providing thousands of students with the opportunity to build financial literacy skills while earning college credit.

Steve is particularly passionate about helping students launch successful careers. He works closely with industry professionals and employers to connect students with internships, networking opportunities, and full-time positions, while providing mentorship and career guidance throughout their time at UNI.

In addition to his academic role, Steve remains actively involved in the financial planning profession as a Partner with Lakeview Wealth Partners, a Private Client Group of Northwestern Mutual. He specializes in retirement planning, investment management, and charitable planning strategies. His continued work with clients helps ensure students gain exposure to current industry trends, real-world planning scenarios, and practical applications of classroom concepts.

Outside the classroom, Steve enjoys spending time with his wife, Jen, and their four children. He enjoys camping, gardening, cooking, reading, tackling new projects, and serving through his local church.

Hobbies & Interests:
In his free time, Yerkes enjoys cooking and spending time with his wife and kids. They are active in their local church and you might spot them all biking on the local trails when the weather is nice. They also enjoy attending Panther sporting events.