Immigration

Welcoming New Iowans - the Need for Immigration Reform

Mark Grey, professor, anthropology, director of Iowa Center of Immigrant Leadership and Integration Reform

The Iowa Center for Immigrant Leadership and Integration (ICILI) guides and prepares Iowa communities and businesses as they accommodate immigrant and refugee newcomers living and working in Iowa. Training services are available to immigrants and refugees, businesses and organizations. All ICILI programming incorporates a strong appreciation for the critical role newcomers play in ensuring the long-term social and economic vitality of Iowa's businesses and communities. Mark Grey, director of ICILI, takes a critical look at comprehensive immigration reform that focuses on the new global economic order: the workers, the companies and the consumers.

Crisis Communications

Crisis Management and Communication -- A How-To Approach

James O'Connor, assistant vice president, University Marketing & Public Relations

When a crisis hits, it's too late to figure out what to do. Your business or organization's reputation and future hinges on your response. You need to be ready. This high-energy presentation takes a practical, real-world approach to developing and implementing a crisis-communication plan that works. James O'Connor, is a seasoned marketing and public relations veteran with more than two decades of experience in military, corporate, non-profit and higher-education marketing communications and crisis management.

Math and Science Education

Math and Science Education in Iowa: Earning our Quarter

Jeff Weld, associate professor of UNI biology and director of the Iowa Mathematics and Science Education Partnership

Iowa’s historical leadership in math and science education is eroding at the very time our economy is demanding a math and science literate workforce. Iowa students, once global leaders, have slid to merely average among U.S. students. Only half of Iowa college bound students are ready for college algebra according to the ACT. Mastery of math at this level is widely considered to be a “gateway” to majors in Science, Technology Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields. To address these challenges, the state legislature funded the Board of Regents Iowa Mathematics and Science Education Partnership (IMSEP). The Initiative has three goals: 1) To improve mathematics and science performance of Iowa students; 2) To prepare more high quality mathematics and science teachers for Iowa’s schools; and 3) Promote statewide collaboration and cooperation.

Political Science

Presidential/Congressional elections, Congress

Donna Hoffman, associate professor, political science

The election in November will be a pivotal point for the United States. What does new leadership mean for our country and how does this affect the power of presidential-congressional relations? Donna Hoffman, associate professor of political science, explores the nature of presidential power in the modern era, the Iowa caucuses (past, present and future), historical American electoral patterns. Hoffman has co-authored a book on how the State of the Union address works as a tool of presidential communication. The book's title is "Addressing the State of the Union: The Evolution and the Impact of the President's Big Speech."

Environment

Presentation Title: "Sustainable Living in Today's World"

Kamyar Enshayan, director of the Center for Energy & Environmental Education

He shares his expertise in creating sustainable living arrangements for our communities. His presentation topics include:

1) Local foods as an important community economic development tool;

2) Conservation and renewable energy;

3) Environmental health -- ecological alternatives to lawn chemicals;

4) Future of energy, or "The Emperor's New Energy"

Center for Energy and Environmental Education at the University of Northern Iowa is committed to helping Iowans create sustainable living arrangements through community-based programs in energy conservation and efficiency, renewable energy, local foods and environmental health. The staff work with organizations, businesses, schools, utilities, churches, and local and state government agencies.

Economy

Ten Things You Need to Know About the Economy

David Surdam, assistant professor, economics

The world is experiencing economic challenges that will affect every citizen today and in future years. What is happening to the income tax, social security, government programs, health care and more? David Surdam, assistant professor, economics, specializes in applied microeconomics, especially historical topics. His publications include various economic issues of the Civil War including a 2008 book, "The Postwar Yankees: Baseball's Golden Age Revisited."