Professional Academic Advisors
As advisors, we want to ensure your next steps in your academic career are what’s best for you and your future. Our goal is to equip you with the information you’ll need to achieve your dreams. Answering questions about your four year plan, choosing a new major/minor, determining your study abroad options, making a schedule that juggles work and school, or just a little advice on what classes to pick next - our job is to help.
James Prier
Academic Advisor
Office for Professional Distinction / CBB 5
319-273-2144
james.prier@uni.edu
James completed his undergraduate degree in Interactive Digital Studies at UNI. He went on to receive his Master of Science in Education with an emphasis in Higher Education Administration at the University of Kansas. James monitors students' academic progress, as well as coordinates, plans, implements, and administers recruitment and retention efforts. Before joining Wilson Business, he supported students at the School of Engineering at the University of Kansas and was an Admissions Counselor for UNI. Outside of work, you will find him watching and playing soccer or walking his two golden-doodle puppies with his wife.
Jen Rust
Academic Advisor
Office for Professional Distinction / CBB 5
319-273-2144
jen.rust@uni.edu
Jen completed her undergraduate degree in Management: Business Administration at UNI. She studied abroad in Florence, Italy where she studied Sports and Event Management. Jen is currently in her second year of the Master of Art Postsecondary Education: Student Affairs program at UNI. As an advisor in the Office for Professional Distinction, she provides academic guidance to Wilson College of Business students and advises students interested in studying abroad. Her interest in higher education stems from an advisor she had in the Wilson College of Business during her undergraduate studies at UNI. Outside of work, Jen enjoys spending time with friends and family, following her brother's racing program, attending country concerts, traveling as much as she can, and spoiling her golden retriever, Lyla.
Amy Tagtow
Academic Advisor
Office for Professional Distinction / CBB 5
319-273-7705
amy.tagtow@uni.edu
As an academic advisor in the Office for Professional Distinction, Amy provides academic guidance to Wilson College of Business students and advises students who are active in the online business programs. Before joining Wilson Business, she served as an athletics academic advisor for student-athletes at UNI. Amy began her career on campus as a member of the alumni relations team where she advised the CATS (Connecting Alumni to Students) student organization and provided support for the department. Outside of work, Amy enjoys spending time with family and friends, traveling as much as she can, and enjoying life with her husband, Alex, and their three children: Jameson and twin girls Avery & Kendall. Amy completed her undergraduate degree in Leisure, Youth & Human Services with an emphasis in Tourism, before completing her Master of Arts in Postsecondary Education: Student Affairs, both at UNI.
Kimberly Schipper
Academic Advisor
Office for Professional Distinction / CBB 5
319-273-2144
kimberly.schipper@uni.edu
Kimberly completed her Bachelor of Arts degree in English-Teaching from the University of Northern Iowa. She went on to teach English/Language Arts at the middle school and high school level for a few years before starting her Master of Arts degree in Postsecondary Education: Student Affairs at UNI. She plans to graduate in December 2024 and looks forward to continuing her advising work in the OPD at the Wilson College of Business. In her free time, Kimberly enjoys spending time with her husband, their son, and their two dogs, Aria and Archie. She enjoys traveling, camping, spending time with family and friends, and reading a good book.
Yi Cheng
Professional International Advisor & SDJU Liaison
Office for Professional Distinction / CBB 5
319-273-2144
yi.cheng@uni.edu
Yi provides academic guidance to Shanghai Dianji University (SDJU) students, international students, and other students in each of the major areas of business studies. She acts as a liaison between administrators at SDJU and UNI and supports the internationalization strategy of Wilson Business. Yi also supports the recruitment of international business students from partner institutions and develops programs of study for incoming international students in Wilson Business.
Yi Cheng works with all students from China.
