In 1998 Todd earned his bachelor of arts degree in business with teaching and coaching certificates. He enjoyed his Fayette Campus experience and is a proud football alumnus. In 2011, he earned his master’s degree from Graceland University.

A dedicated member of Riverdale High School in Muscoda, WI, Todd has been with the school for 13 years. He serves as the Business Ed Teacher and Dean of Students, as well as coaching track and seventh-grade girls’ basketball. Prior, he was located in Reedsburg, WI, for 12 years and in Cashton, WI, for three years serving as assistant football coach and head girls’ softball coach. He is also the advisor for the Seniors Class, which led to an incredible program and partnership with UIU.

For 10 years, Todd has worked closely with the UIU Admissions team and spearheaded an annual visit day for Riverdale High School juniors. Students thoroughly enjoy the 186-mile bus trip from Muscoda to Fayette to spend the day on campus for a complete, real-life Peacock experience. Their day consists of a campus tour, informative sessions with the Admissions team and faculty members, lunch in the servery, and a special visit with the UIU President. Upper Iowa is among three different college visits Todd organizes as part of his curriculum. Todd says: “For most of these students, it is their first exposure to any college or university, I feel UIU is such a unique university that they need to see it.”

During his time at UIU, McKay praises his professors and coaches for reaching out whenever he struggled and provided non-stop encouragement which enabled him to learn from mistakes and stay focused on his journey. Those genuine interactions taught him to always go above and beyond to make sure his students now know how much he cares about them and wants them to succeed in class and in life.

Todd and his wife, Rachel, reside in Muscoda, WI, and have two daughters, Macy and Ella.

In 2021, Jessica earned a bachelor of science degree in psychology at Upper Iowa. She is the founder and CEO of Seva Health: Center for Wellbeing, located in rural Northeast Iowa.
From personal experience, Jessica recognized that mental health resources were non-existent in her small town. She set out to make an important enhancement in her community, and with that, she started her own nonprofit organization, Seva Health. Its mission is to provide an integrative approach to supporting brain (mental) health.

Equipped as a National Board-Certified Health Coach, Jessica has established a bridge between traditional therapy and whole-person and family health. Her work focuses on a wide variety of resources such as brain (mental) health coaching, mind-body coaching, support for youth with learning challenges, and youth support groups for at-risk teens and young adults.
Seva Health has been the recipient of grants throughout Northeast Iowa and hosts fundraising events to fund the much-needed services and resources they provide. In the spring of 2023, Seva Health partnered with Clayton County Foundation for the Future and formed the Clayton County Brain (mental) Health Coalition, which explores barriers to brain/mental health services and opportunities and partnerships for solutions.

In addition to being the founder of Seva Health, Jessica is also a motivational and transformational speaker with over 10 years of experience. She speaks to groups of all ages, sharing her personal journey through postpartum depression, burnout, and finding purpose in life. Jessica was a high school dropout. When she turned 18, she earned her GED, completed her Medical Assistant Diploma, and began her full-time job in healthcare, in which she worked for 21 years in a variety of settings, including women’s health, leadership development, and community education. In 2020, Jessica hit a roadblock in her career and found the need to advance her education, so she enrolled in UIU’s self-paced program. Her perseverance and passion for helping others with their struggles will continue to grow Seva Health for those who need it most.

Jessica and her husband, Mike, reside in Monona, Iowa. They have two children, Noah and Hunter Goltz, who is a UIU 2024 graduate.

Zeke earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration in 1976. Throughout his 30-year career in Real Estate, he has been passionate about assisting those underserved with housing needs and improving the vibrancy of the Chicago area, where he has been a lifelong resident.

He owned and operated Realty Executives Residential, a real estate franchise on the south side of Chicago from 1990-1998 and worked with home sellers and buyers all while establishing his new niche of collaborating with developers in building affordable housing. Zeke joined Keller Williams Realty in south Chicago in 2000, as Team Leader and quickly became the Operating Principal, culminating in his election as president of the Chicago Association of REALTORS® and being awarded REALTOR® of the year, both in 2013. The Association awards a Zeke Morris Scholarship each year, supporting the education efforts of those who have shown a commitment to the stabilization and economic development of Southside Chicago communities.

From 2013-2015, Zeke was a Century 21 real estate broker where he was invited to become a franchise owner. He turned down that offer to move to EXIT Strategy Realty / EMA Management in Chicago, his current firm, where he serves as Designated Managing Broker / Owner. Zeke has served multiple terms on the Illinois Realtors Board of Directors and became the state association’s first African American president in 2022. He currently travels across the country to speak about the importance of home ownership and fair housing practices in underserved communities.

In addition, Zeke serves on the National Association of REALTORS® Board of Directors, where he is actively engaged in fair housing, diversity, federal housing policy, advocacy, and provides leadership to several advisory boards and councils. Illinois REALTORS® awarded Zeke the 2023 REALTOR® of the Year award, specifically recognizing his tremendous efforts as a spokesperson for the Everyone Deserves the American Dream of Homeownership campaign.

Profession aside, Zeke is a terrific community volunteer. He is highly engaged with the Ada S. McKinley Community Services, Inc., a Chicago human services organization that offers educational programs, child development, senior services, vocational training, mental health, and residential services to those in need. He has served as Board of Directors Chair since 2019 and continues to look at innovative ways to provide and promote mental health services to the underserved communities of Chicago.

Zeke’s most cherished journey is that he is husband to Adrena for 33 years, has three children: Alexandria, Emmanuel, and Andra who have all achieved the American Dream of Homeownership, and three grandchildren: Mckenzie, Zoe, and Michael.

Heather earned a bachelor of science degree from Upper Iowa in 1999 in athletic training and fitness. She has a servant’s heart and gives back to the communities through her time, treasure, and talents. While she is involved in numerous volunteer opportunities, two especially stand out.

This year, she completed her eleventh Ride to Cure Diabetes, an annual 100-mile bike ride from La Crosse, WI, to Lansing, IA, which raises awareness of and funds for Type 1 diabetes (T1D) research. This chronic illness affects both her husband and youngest daughter. Heather has also organized a team for the Breakthrough T1D Walk (formerly JDRF) in Cedar Rapids, IA, has been instrumental in supporting the JDRF Annual Gala, and orchestrated countless additional family fundraisers to benefit this important cause. For over a decade, Heather has raised over $210,000 for the local JDRF Chapter and has selflessly offered too many volunteer hours to calculate. In 2011, Heather was honored to be the recipient of the JDRF Volunteer of the Year award. As a mother and wife of someone living with T1D, Heather has been an invaluable resource, friend, and support system, to many families in the area that have been recently struck with the tragedy of a diabetes diagnosis in their family.

For the past two years, Heather has also begun volunteering with the Mount Mercy University Jump Start Program in Cedar Rapids, IA. The program’s mission is to inspire children, grades 2-8, to reach their educational potential by teaching vital lessons in leadership and academics. Heather heard about the program and immediately wanted to help. She serves as a mentor and role model by coordinating free sports programming in a fun and safe environment. To date, she has provided three meals, including pork loin, chicken, and chips, each feeding over 80 kids.

Heather does all and so much more with a husband who currently requires special assistance due to a leg amputation as a result of T1D and a full-time position as a Grants Specialist for Ellucian. Her attitude toward giving back is that there is always someone who can use a helping hand and that she is blessed with the opportunity to give back.

Heather and her husband, Mike Schrock ’99, 21, reside in Urbana, Iowa, with their two children, Dylanne and Micheala.

Anderson was a member of Upper Iowa University’s Army ROTC program. He was active with Acacia Fraternity and played on the UIU men’s basketball team. In 1980, he earned his bachelor of arts degree in history. He furthered his education with an MBA at Webster University and an MA in Political Science at the University of Iowa.

Colonel Anderson’s military career spanned 30 years with the U.S. Army. He gained expert knowledge of defense policy, security cooperation, foreign military sales, foreign military financing, intelligence analysis, and African and Middle Eastern affairs. He’s an accomplished Veteran with experience ranging from tactical to operational, diplomatic to combat, and stability operations, with tours in Ethiopia, Tunisia, Morocco, Togo, Mauritania, Belgium, South Korea, the Persian Gulf War, and several deployments worldwide.

Brad received numerous prestigious military awards, including Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal (3 Oak Leaf Clusters), Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal (for Combat Operations), Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Joint Service Achievement Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal (1 bronze star), Southwest Asia Service Medal (2 bronze stars), Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, among many others.

Brad remains working about five months out of the year in Togo, West Africa. He and his wife, Ann-Christin, a retired European Union Diplomat (originally from Sweden), live part of the year in Sweden, a few weeks in Canada, and winter in Florida. Their two daughters live in Toronto, Canada, with their partners, and they have a one-year-old granddaughter.