Upper Iowa University Awarded $720,000 Title III Grant to Advance Student Success and Workforce Readiness

Fayette, IA (10/21/2026) — Upper Iowa University (UIU) has been awarded a $720,000 grant through the U.S. Department of Education's Title III Strengthening Institutions Program (SIP) to support initiatives focused on student success, degree completion, technology innovation and workforce readiness.

The five-year federal grant will support UIU's AI-Enhanced Student Success, Completion, and Workforce Readiness Initiative, a comprehensive effort designed to strengthen the University's ability to serve students through innovative technology, proactive student support and expanded career and workforce preparation. The grant period begins October 1, 2026, and extends through September 30, 2031.

"This award represents an exciting investment in the future of Upper Iowa University and, most importantly, in the success of our students," said UIU President & CFO Kathy Franken. "As the needs of our students and the workforce continue to evolve, UIU is committed to evolving with them. This funding provides us with an opportunity to strengthen the support we provide students throughout their educational journey while investing in innovation that will benefit the University for years to come."

The initiative builds upon UIU's strategic priorities and is designed to address several areas critical to student and institutional success, including student persistence and degree completion, coordinated student support, artificial intelligence literacy, career readiness and workforce partnerships.

A significant focus of the project will be using technology and data to provide students with more proactive and personalized support. UIU's proposal includes development of an AI One Stop Student Success Ecosystem designed to integrate with existing University systems and provide students with more timely access to academic, financial and administrative information. Predictive analytics and enhanced advising tools are also intended to help UIU identify opportunities for earlier intervention and student support.

The project will also build upon ReEngage UIU, the University's initiative focused on helping former students who have earned college credits but have not completed their degrees return to UIU and develop a pathway toward completion. Through personalized outreach, completion planning and targeted student support, the initiative seeks to reduce barriers that can prevent students from finishing their degrees.

Another component of the initiative focuses on preparing students, faculty and staff for an increasingly AI-driven workplace. UIU proposed initiatives including faculty and student AI academies, AI literacy programming and opportunities to integrate responsible and practical applications of artificial intelligence throughout the educational experience.

"This grant gives UIU an opportunity to thoughtfully invest in areas that directly support our students-from the way they access services and receive assistance to how we prepare them for careers in a rapidly changing workforce," said Dr. Billie Cowley, Vice President for Academic Affairs. "Just as importantly, this work will bring people from across the University together around a shared goal of improving the student experience and helping more students successfully complete their education."

Implementation will occur in phases throughout the five-year grant period, with initial work focused on project infrastructure, technology planning and development. The original project plan calls for technology configuration and testing during 2027, followed by expanded implementation and evaluation in subsequent years.

"This award is especially meaningful because it supports the direction UIU has already established through Impact 2028," Franken said. "It allows us to accelerate important work around student experience, innovation, relationships and long-term institutional strength while remaining focused on what has always been at the heart of Upper Iowa University: creating opportunities for students to succeed."

The Title III Strengthening Institutions Program provides federal funding to eligible institutions of higher education to strengthen their academic quality, institutional management and fiscal stability and to enhance their capacity to serve students.

About Upper Iowa University

Founded in 1857, Upper Iowa University is a private, nonprofit university providing undergraduate and graduate educational opportunities through its residential campus in Fayette, Iowa, online programs and educational locations. UIU is committed to providing quality educational opportunities that are accessible through varied delivery methods to inspire success and empower lives.

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