Professional Development Conference
Progress with Purpose, UNI's 2026 Professional Development Conference, is scheduled for May 21, 2026, at the Schindler Education Center. The theme reflects a moment of celebration for the university's sesquicentennial, honoring 150 years of impact while looking ahead to what's next.
Why Attend?
- Customize Your Experience. Choose from a range of practical sessions designed to meet you where you are and support where you’re headed.
- Expand Your Network. Connect with colleagues across campus and build relationships that strengthen collaboration university-wide.
- Walk Away With Actionable Tools. Gain strategies, frameworks and ideas you can immediately apply in your role - whether you manage others, collaborate across teams or contribute as an individual professional.
What to Expect:
The conference will provide inspiration, practical insight and renewed motivation through sessions designed to help us thrive together as colleagues and as a campus community. Review the rest of the page for more information on the schedule or visit the 2026 Conference Guide.
Questions? Email hrs-performance@uni.edu.
When: Thursday, May 21, 2026
Where: Schindler Education Center at UNI
Cost: This conference is free to attend! Space is limited.
You must register for each session that you would like to attend. Make sure to click on each Breakout Session tab and make your selection.
Build Your Own Schedule
There is no general conference registration for this event. Instead, participants must register individually for each session they wish to attend.
To build your conference experience, visit these pages and use the registration link listed for each session. Be sure to complete the sign-up process for every session you plan to attend, as space may be limited. We encourage you to register early to secure your preferred sessions.
Please only register for one presentation per breakout session.
There are a limited number of seats per presentation.
Keynote Speaker - Robert L. Smith, Jr. / 9:30-10:30am
Keynote: Earned, Not Given Presentation Registration →
"There are people who wait for doors to open. Others meticulously prepare so they can walk through the door when it opens. My life has been shaped by discipline that I first learned at home but honed on the field, in classrooms and life experience. Over time, I've come to understand that accountability matters, that guidance can lead you to destiny, and preparation can turn pressure into clarity. In short: What comes to you in life is what you earn. Success, greatness and leadership are characteristics that cannot be given; they are earned. In this presentation I will share some of the more salient experiences of my life, discuss how they prepared me to lead a life of purpose, and share some pointers on how the same preparation and understanding can earn success for anyone."
Robert L. Smith, Jr. serves as Executive Director of Educational Opportunity Programs and Special Community Services at the University of Northern Iowa and is a member of the president’s cabinet. He leads initiatives that expand educational access and support underserved and first-generation students across the Cedar Valley.
A respected leader, Smith is a former president of the Waterloo Community Schools Board of Education and former chair of the Black Hawk County Board of Supervisors.
He has held numerous nonprofit and civic leadership roles and has received honors including the Juneteenth Liberty Award, Waterloo Chamber of Commerce Public Citizen of the Year and the Association of Fundraising Professionals’ Outstanding Volunteer Fundraiser Award. In addition, Smith is a distinguished NCAA Division I football official who has officiated major bowl games and national championships, served as President of the Big Ten Football Officials Association and was part of the Big Ten’s first all-Black officiating crew in 2020.
Lunch / 11:30am-12:30pm
We’re planning an engaging lunchtime experience to complement the day’s sessions. While details are still being finalized, this will be an opportunity to connect, recharge and continue the conversation in a more informal setting. In order to have lunch covered, you must attend a minimum of three breakout sessions of the conference. Due to limited funding, this is reserved for registrants on a first come, first served basis. More information will be coming soon on this aspect of the conference!
Connections / 2:15-2:45pm
Connection is at the heart of this year’s conference. We are intentionally creating space for colleagues to build cross-campus relationships, spark new collaborations and strengthen our collective impact.
While we are still finalizing the format, this interactive connections activity will be open to all attendees - no registration required. Simply show up to the lobby in the Schindler Education Center ready to engage, share ideas and meet someone new.
More details will be announced soon, but plan to participate - this will be a focal point of the day.
Closing Remarks - President Mark Nook / 3:45-4:15pm
Mark Nook has served as the 11th president of the University of Northern Iowa since February 1, 2017. A native of Holstein, Iowa, President Nook brings Midwest values and a longstanding commitment to higher education, with a focus on ensuring every member of the university community reaches their educational, professional and personal goals.
Prior to his appointment at UNI, Nook served as chancellor of Montana State University Billings from 2014–2016. He previously held the role of senior vice president for Academic and Student Affairs for the University of Wisconsin System and served as provost and interim chancellor at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. Earlier in his career, he held multiple academic leadership roles at St. Cloud State University.
Conference Sponsor
Plan with confidence. TIAA understands that making financial decisions - especially about retirement - can feel complex and time-consuming. As part of your university retirement plan, you have access to TIAA financial consultants at no additional cost.
From investment planning to long-term retirement strategy, TIAA can help keep your goals and investments aligned. When meeting with a consultant, be sure to have your investment, retirement, and savings statements available. Learn more or schedule a meeting today.