UIU ExcEL

Excellence in Experiential Learning Program

What is the Excellence in Experiential Learning Program (UIU ExcEL)?

Starting Fall 2025, UIU ExcEL Scholars will combine their Fayette campus academic studies with experiential learning and community engagement. Program features include:

100% Tuition-Free: Minimize financial stress and focus on your educational journey.
Career-Boosting Experiences: Gain real-world skills through on and off-campus employment and career-focused seminars.
Professional Mentorship & Community: Connect with a dedicated director, faculty and staff mentors, and a cohort of motivated peers.

Meet the Director

Miriam Skrade brings dynamic strengths and passion to the UIU ExcEL program and its participants. Cultivating engaging and supportive environments for college students has been her life’s work.

Connect and explore her range and depth of experiences on LinkedIn. Email the director at [email protected]

UIU ExcEL Program Information

A UIU ExcEL Scholar will: Two people walking in front of Andres education building

Be awarded an ExcEL Scholarship to eliminate the tuition portion of your college costs
Average 15 hours/week doing a variety of on/off campus jobs to contribute to the campus community and gain knowledge and transferrable skills
Attend Upper Iowa University-Fayette, in-person campus
Engage in 200 service hours over 4 years, seeing your personal impact on the community
Deliver poster and oral presentations to cultivate communication confidence as well as share knowledge and experiences with fellow classmates, professors, employers, and donors
Complete a First Year Seminar (FYS) course as part of an ExcEL cohort with the program director to advance the transition to higher education
Experience courses and seminars designed to elevate your career-related self-awareness and confidence and bridge your academic and work experiences
Cultivate professional mentorship from faculty, work supervisors, and a dedicated program director
Collaborate with a team of driven ExcEL Scholars as you learn, grow, work, network, and attend events
Receive networking opportunities to graduate more confident, informed, and connected

Jaidyn Duvel

UIU ExcEL Scholar

I am a career driven person and wasn’t sure what was out there. Once I found out about the ExcEL program I immediately scheduled a visit. I am thrilled to be selected for the ExcEL program! I’m excited to meet and network with new people, learn new skills, have support from Miriam, and make like-minded friends in the program!

Application process for becoming a UIU ExcEL Scholar!

UIU ExcEL Application Process

Apply to Upper Iowa University
Have your high school counselor submit your transcript to [email protected]
Complete the FAFSA
Email Miriam at [email protected] a resume that includes experiences from the past 4 years.
Write and email Miriam at [email protected] a response to the following prompt:
- What do you hope your resume of experiences and your academic transcript will say about you at the end of your college years?
  Important:
  - While AI has some great uses, it is not beneficial to use in this context. We are interested in hearing your true thoughts and feelings on this question. Simply write it like you are telling us, a mentor, or a family member.
  - Aim for approximately 300 words and recognize that a resume can include work, internships, volunteering, activities, clubs, research, travel, skills, languages, and so on.
Schedule and complete an interview with Miriam

Become a UIU ExcEL Scholar!

Submit our UIU ExcEL interest form and the program director will reach out to you!

Refer a UIU ExcEL Scholar

Do you know a student who might be a great fit for UIU ExcEL? Share with us their information and we’ll follow-up with more information.

Light grey background with 3 swooping lines

Support ExcEL Scholars!

Support UIU’s new tuition-free program that pairs academic excellence with experiential learning!

Donate to UIU ExcEL