Earlier this month, members of the Cedar Valley Young Professionals (CVYP) had the opportunity to serve as panelists for UNI’s Wilson in the Valley: Business, Community & Purpose Career Crawl. The experience offered a powerful reminder of why connecting education and industry matters—because the next generation of leaders is already here, eager to learn, grow, and make an impact.
Donald Patnode, Vice Chair of the Advisory Council, reflected, “One of the things I love most about our community is seeing the incredible talent UNI brings to the Cedar Valley year after year. The energy, ideas, and potential that these students carry remind me how bright our future is. While we might not be a ‘big city’ like Chicago or Kansas City, the Cedar Valley offers nearly everything those places do, but with the warmth and connection of a small-town community. You can get involved, make a difference, and see the results of your work in a very real way.”
Monica Dhumne, Chair of the Fundraising Committee, shared a similar perspective: “It was an honor to represent the CVYP Board at the UNI Career Crawl. I always enjoy connecting with UNI students and hearing what their dreams and goals are, coming out of college. To many, myself included, deciding what we want our career to look like long-term can be an overwhelming decision. If there was one thing I knew upon graduating from UNI, it was that the deep connections and networks I had built here in the Cedar Valley weren’t worth leaving. Learning early that success is more dependent on who you surround yourself with rather than where you live has shaped my career in lasting ways.”
For Zach Hansen, Chair of the Marketing Committee, the event underscored the unique opportunities that come from launching a career in a community that values both contribution and growth. “As part of the Cedar Valley Young Professionals, I had the opportunity to present to UNI students about the unique advantages of launching a career in the Cedar Valley. We explored how young professionals can go far, fast by getting involved and embracing a mindset of giving more than they get. It was a meaningful conversation about growth, leadership, and the power of investing in where you live.”
Together, the panelists highlighted a common theme: the Cedar Valley is a place where young professionals can build meaningful connections, accelerate their growth, and make a lasting difference. By continuing to invest in our students and emerging leaders, we invest in the very future of our region.
For more information on Cedar Valley Young Professionals (CVYP), please click HERE.