Summer 2026 Newsletter
Table of Contents
- Welcome New Hires
- Know Your Benefits: Walk, Talk & Connect
- 2026 P&S Council Election Results
- Upcoming Events
- Wellness and Recreation Services
- Ideas for Staying Active
- Campus Curiosities
- Meet Our Members
- Campus Photo Challenge
- P&S Council Meeting Recaps
- P&S Council Representatives
P&S New Hires
A huge welcome to all our new P&S Panthers!
We are excited to have you join us and look forward to helping you as you grow in your new position. My door is always open and I hope you stop by to ask questions or just say hello.
Nathan Arndt
P&S Council President (2024-2026)
March 2026
- Hallie Kratzer, Web Strategist, University Relations
- Emma Schwartz, Student Financials Counselor, Business Operations
April 2026
- Ashley Stoppel, Marketing Specialist, Online Ed & Individual Studies
- Kyle Green, Head Coach, Men’s Basketball
- Brian Pearson, Director of Operations, Men’s Basketball
- Clint Carlson, Assistant Coach, Men’s Basketball
- Abraham Woldeslassie, Assistant Coach, Men’s Basketball
May 2026
- Justin Peine, Assistant Strength & Conditioning Coach, Kinesiology & Athletic Training
- Kelsey Kramer, Assistant Strength & Conditioning Coach, Kinesiology & Athletic Training
- Maddie Tobler, Assistant Strength & Conditioning Coach, Kinesiology & Athletic Training
- Boone Tomlinson, Associate Athletic Trainer, Kinesiology & Athletic Training
- Taryn Freer, Athletic Ticketing Director, Event Operations
June 2026
- Tami Johannsen, Accountant, University Advancement
- Erica Peters, Aquatics & Youth Program Coordinator, Recreation Services
- Brandon Schmidt, HPC System Support Specialist, College of Humanities, Arts & Sciences
- Douglas Lovejoy, Construction Project Manager, Design & Construction
2026 Election Results
Thank you to everyone who ran in this year’s P&S Council elections! The following individuals won election to the Council, with their three-year terms starting on July 1st, 2026:
Academic Affairs
- Emma Clinton
- Kimberly Schipper
- Ari Sullivan
- Ashley Thomazin
President's Office
- Shanda Davis
- Matt Gordon
Student Life
- Megan Cahalan
At-Large
- Kristi Wagner
Upcoming Meetings
Meetings take place in the Maucker Union President’s Room, with a Zoom option available for remote access.
- June 29 from 2:00-3:00pm
- July 9 from 1:30-2:30pm
- August 13 from 1:30-2:30pm
Join us in person to connect face-to-face, build stronger relationships, and have more meaningful conversations. Your ideas, perspectives, and presence help shape the work of the P&S Council and strengthen our campus community.
Upcoming Events
Sturgis Falls, June 26-28
Originating from the city’s 1976 Bicentennial Celebration, Sturgis Falls, was named after William Sturgis, the town’s first settler. This annual event has evolved into a vibrant tradition bringing together community members and visitors alike. Events will include the annual parade, arts and crafts fair, conference and connect, and the popular Sturgis Falls on Main. Learn more at https://www.sturgisfallscf.com/.
Cedar Falls Farmers Market, Saturdays, 8:30 a.m. to 12 noon
The Cedar Falls Farmers Market provides our community with locally grown and produced products. This includes a wide variety of fresh vegetables, fruits, herbs, baked goods, eggs, meat, mushrooms, honey, coffee, jams and jellies, nuts, fresh-cut flower bouquets, potted plants and starts for your own gardens, houseplants, metal and wood worked items, natural health & beauty products, jewelry, pottery - plus a variety of food trucks & vendors with hot and ready-to-eat prepared foods - and more! Keep up with the market on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/CedarFallsFarmersMarket/
Star Parties, July 18, 9 p.m.
Join the Grout Museum and the Black Hawk Astronomy Club at Prairie Grove Park in Waterloo the 3rd Saturday May-September. Observe the night sky through provided telescopes and learn about the wonders of our universe. This is a FREE program for all attendees! Learn more at https://www.groutmuseumdistrict.org/calendar
Walk, Talk & Connect
Weekly campus walks have extended to include Tuesdays & Fridays this summer from Noon-12:30. Meet at the Campanile and see where the conversation - and the walk - take you next.
Strides of Summer Challenge
If you participate in 10 or more campus walks between June 9 - August 21, you can submit your attendance to be entered into a drawing for a gift from Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield.
Lace up your shoes, invite a coworker and start striding toward a healthier summer. Be on the lookout for future Well-being Challenges.
Wellness and
Recreation Services
Summer Passes (May - August)
UNI Family Memberships $75; Individual Membership $50
Summer Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00am to 6:30pm
Youth Programs
Programs are still open for registration. Explore options, costs and details online. WRC Membership is not required.
Get Outside This Summer: Active, Affordable Fun for UNI Employees
Summer in the Cedar Valley is the perfect time to recharge, explore, and stay active - and UNI employees have access to some great perks that make it easier (and cheaper) to enjoy the season.
GEAR UP with the WRC
Planning a camping weekend, a paddling trip or just a backyard game night? The Wellness & Recreation Center offers affordable equipment rentals for community members and at a discounted rate for UNI employees. It’s a low‑cost way to try something new or get outside without buying gear; options include tents, kayaks, canoes, hammocks, yard games and more.
Explore rental options through the WRC Equipment Rentals Webpage
Save on Iowa Adventures with ALUMNI Perks
The UNI Alumni Association has curated a fantastic list of summer discounts for UNI employees and alumni - including deals at Lost Island, Adventureland, museums, zoos, sporting events and more across the state. Whether you’re planning a family day trip or a weekend outing, these savings stretch your summer budget.
Browse the Summer 2026 Alumni & Employee Discount List
Free Community Events Across the Cedar Valley
Looking for no‑cost ways to stay active and connected? The Cedar Valley is packed with free outdoor concerts, festivals and neighborhood events all summer long. Start with our very own Gallagher Bluedorn’s Block Party Series which brings live music from local artists to local neighborhoods. Explore the Friday Loo concert series at Lincoln Park and find events in all areas of interest through the Live The Valley Events calendar.
Join the Cedar Valley Corporate Games
UNI is now participating in the Cedar Valley Corporate Games, a summer‑long series of activities, competitions and wellness challenges that encourage employees to get active and build community in the process. Events range from cycling and running to trivia, pickleball and more. Learn more and register on the CV Corporate Games website.
UNI’s Campus and the greater Cedar Valley offer a wide range of ways to engage and interact all year long. Invite a friend, try something new and make the most of the events and resources surrounding you.
Campus Curiosities
Did you know that you can see a mastodon tusk without even having to leave campus?
Originally discovered in Hampton, Iowa, in 1933, this unique piece of history can now be found on the lower level of the Rod Library. Studies have dated this piece to likely come from either the Aftonian or Yarmouth ages, which span from 200,000 - 120,000 B.C.E. More information about this piece can be found here: https://scholarworks.uni.edu/mastodon/
Meet Our Members / Jesse Heath
Jesse Heath
Employee Relations Coordinator
Human Resource Services
What are you good at doing?
I want to be humble but I feel I'm good at organizing and leading projects that bring people together and help them grow. Through initiatives like the Professional Development Conference and other educational events, I enjoy managing the planning process, coordinating details, and creating experiences that help people feel connected, supported, and inspired. I also value the people-focused side of my role, particularly assisting with conflict resolution and performance management, where I can help individuals and teams navigate challenges and move forward successfully.
Do you have a favorite podcast? Favorite music?
My favorite podcast right now is probably a tie between The Dr. John Delony Show and The Leader's Cut with Preston Morrison. When it comes to music, I mostly listen to Christian rock and Christian alternative music, and lately I’ve really enjoyed discovering smaller and emerging bands within those genres.
What was the last thing you read?
The best book I've read in 2026 is John Grisham's The Whistler. It's a legal thriller that follows a corrupt judge entangled in a lucrative scheme involving bribery and organized crime, with an investigator trying to expose the operation. Grisham builds steady tension through parallel storylines, gradually revealing how deeply the system can be manipulated. While not his most character-driven novel, it delivers a fast-paced, plot-focused read with a strong sense of moral conflict. My goal for 2026 is to read 50 books. Feel free to add me on Goodreads!
What is your favorite UNI memory or tradition?
My most favorite recent UNI memory was definitely organizing and being a part of TEDx University of Northern Iowa from October 2025. It captured what I value most about this campus: creating spaces where ideas and people connect in meaningful ways. Being part of an environment where speakers shared bold, personal, and thought-provoking ideas - and seeing those ideas land with students, staff, and community members - was incredibly energizing. It reflected the kind of work I care about most: building experiences that help people feel connected to something larger than themselves.
Campus Photo Challenge
Summer 2026 Challenge
Do you think you know where on-campus this photo was taken?
Email your guesses to jc.last@uni.edu. Everyone who guesses correctly will get their name listed in the Summer edition of the P&S Council newsletter, alongside a description of where the image shown above can be found.
Spring 2026 Challenge
The photo challenge in last semester’s newsletter was this one:
This unique sculpture can be found in the courtyard between the Communications Arts Center and the Kamerick Art Building. Congratulations to the following individuals for correctly guessing the location of the photo:
- Katy McGlaughlin
- Kristin Johnson
Meeting Minutes
Meeting minutes provide a clear and consistent record of the discussions, decisions, and actions of the Professional & Scientific Council. They serve as an important tool for transparency, ensuring that P&S employees can stay informed about issues that impact their work and the broader university community.
By reviewing meeting minutes, P&S employees can gain insight into the Council’s ongoing efforts to advocate for their interests, support institutional priorities, and strengthen communication across campus. We encourage all P&S employees to explore recent meeting minutes to stay engaged and informed. Whether you attend meetings regularly or are looking to learn more about Council activities, these records help connect you to the important work being done on behalf of the P&S community.
P&S Council Representatives
Academic Affairs
- Nathan Arndt, President
- Sam Hospodarsky
- Katie Kreis-Voigt
- Keith Sayles
- Ashley Thomazin
- (Vacant Seat)
President's Division
