The mission of the UNI-CUE is to provide a positive environment for lifetime learning.  UNI-CUE staff collaborates with other campus departments and community programs to match the center’s resources with community needs.  UNI-CUE fully embraces the concept of continuing and part-time education.  The UNI-CUE supports a number of programs to assist area residents and university students in pursuing and continuing their educational goals and prepare for careers, each with its own specific mission and targeted population:  Educational Opportunity Center (EOC); Educational Talent Search (ETS); Classic Upward Bound (CUB); and the Iowa Math & Science Academy (IMSA).

EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY CENTER (EOC) 

The Educational Opportunity Center is an academic counseling program, which promotes post-secondary education in communities with large populations of low-income, first-generation adults who are often unaware of educational and career opportunities.  Professional career and education counselors assist eligible adults with selecting a post-secondary institution or training program suited to their interests.  Counselors assist clients with the completion of admissions and financial aid applications, scholarship searches, and defaulted student loans, as well as provide academic development workshops (study skills, test taking, college writing, and basic reading and math skills) and academic advising.  All services are free to eligible participants who are age 19 or older and do not have a 4-year degree.

EDUCATIONAL TALENT SEARCH PROGRAM (ETS)

The Educational Talent Search Program (ETS) is designed to assist Waterloo/Cedar Falls area students to continue in and graduate from high school and enroll in an educational program beyond high school.  It also assists high school and college dropouts to return to an educational program.  Assistance is provided through counseling regarding the variety of opportunities for further schooling, information regarding admission and financial aid application processes, advice on career choices and appropriate post-secondary institutions, college tutors, workshops, and tutoring.

CLASSIC UPWARD BOUND PROGRAM (CUB) 

The Classic Upward Bound Program (CUB) is a college preparatory program designed to empower program participants with the academic skills and motivation necessary for success in high school and ultimately college.  CUB serves students from low-income first-generation families who demonstrate potential for college as measured by standardized tests, high school grades, and written recommendations from a school administrator, counselor, or teacher. 

During the academic year, CUB focuses around the after-school Supplemental Instructional/Tutorials program.  It also includes academic advising and counseling, career exploration, college tours, study skill development workshops, leadership conferences, leadership conferences, and other activities.

During the summer, CUB students spend six weeks living in UNI dorms, and attend enrichment courses in mathematics (algebra, pre-calculus), English (literature and composition), science (biology, physics), foreign language (Spanish, French), economics, and computer science.  In addition, students participate in cultural enrichment activities.  Students earn credits, which are transferable to the college or university that the student will attend in the fall.

IOWA MATH & SCIENCE ACADEMY (IMSA)

The Iowa Math & Science Academy is a program designed to strengthen and support Iowa high school students’ interest in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM).  The program is funded to serve a total of 40 students from Black Hawk, Bremer, Buchanan, Butler, and Grundy counties.  Program participants must be either low-income or potential first-generation college students.  Program services generate the skills and motivation necessary for students to succeed in completing high school and enrolling into and graduating from a postsecondary institution.

During the academic year, participants are required to meet monthly with the Project Director.  An Individual Education Plan is developed for all participants based on their scores on the Iowa Test of Basic Skills and/or Iowa Test of Educa-tional Development, and academic progress in their current high school courses.  Students choose to complete either an individual research project or 40 hours of volunteer experiences in a STEM-related business or organization.

During the summer residential component of the program, students experience college life while still in high school.  Participants live on the UNI campus for six weeks (excluding weekends) while enrolled in summer courses taught by UNI faculty.  In addition to course work, students experience daily recreational and enrichment activities.  Students are eligible to receive college credit after successful completion of three summers in the IMSA program.

UNI'S ON-CAMPUS TRiO PROGRAMS

Two TRiO programs are housed on campus in UNI's Innovative Teaching and Technology Center:  the McNair Scholars Program; and Student Support Services.

McNAIR SCHOLARS PROGRAM

The Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement Program, also known as the McNair Program, is housed on-campus in the Innovative Teaching and Technology Center.  As a part of UNI's Graduate College, the goal of the McNair Scholars Program is to increase the number of low-income and first-generation undergraduate minority students who compete for advanced degrees through effective preparation for doctoral study.  The program prepares students through academic enrichment, graduate admission preparation workshops, a student research symposium, and attendance at conferences and professional meetings.

STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES (SSS)

UNI’ Student Support Services (SSS) program provides academic support services for UNI students who have demonstrated academic need.  Because Student Support Services is a federally-funded program, students must meet the U.S. Department of Education eligibility guidelines to participate in the program.  The staff is devoted to helping students achieve their academic potential through academic advising, counseling, and learning assistance.

Student Support Services is responsible for providing a variety of continuous services that support the retention of program participants through graduation.  Specifically, the following services are offered:

• Academic advising and assistance with course selection

• Personal, financial, and career advising

• Free tutorial services

• Individual and group study skills workshops

• Monitoring of academic progress

• Educational long-range planning

• Cultural and enrichment activities

• Student Development