“Somewhere between my first day of college and my first coffee run downtown, the Cedar Valley became home.”
Hi, my name is Haley Hamm, and this is why I Live the Valley.
I came to the University of Northern Iowa in 2022 with a plan: earn my degree and see where life took me next. What I didn’t expect was that the Cedar Valley would quietly become home, and that staying would feel less like a decision and more like a calling.
From the very beginning, there was something about this place that felt steady and welcoming. The Cedar Valley has a way of making you feel known. People take the time to connect, encourage, and cheer you on, no matter who you are or where you’re headed. That sense of community is what first drew me in, and it’s the reason I’ve chosen to build my life here.
My story in the Cedar Valley is deeply tied to the John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center. I first learned about the JPEC while I was still in high school, and on my very first day at UNI, I began working there as a Marketing Assistant. After graduating, I was offered the opportunity to continue my professional journey as the Marketing and Events Coordinator.
Today, I get to work with student entrepreneurs and create spaces where their ideas, talents, and hard work can shine. Marketing and events are about creating experiences that bring people together, and there is something incredibly special about doing that work in a place that genuinely values connection.
I came to college with a heart for event planning, and through the JPEC, that passion became clearer and more purposeful. I began to see weddings not just as events, but as stories and moments that deserve care, creativity, and intention. During college, I started coordinating weddings as a side business. Throughout the process, I learned how to balance creativity with strategy and passion with professionalism, all within a community that truly supports small businesses and big dreams.
Outside of work, it’s the everyday moments that make the Cedar Valley feel like home. If you know me, you know I almost always have a coffee in hand. Sidecar, Sarah’s Crafted Coffee & Cocktails, and The Savvy Bean are some of my favorites. Each space is different, yet equally welcoming, and I think that’s what makes the Cedar Valley so unique. I could spend hours in a downtown coffee shop window seat working, reading, or doing a Bible study with friends.
I also love staying active, whether that’s a pop-up workout in the downtown green space on a Saturday morning, a class at FIT, or simply going for a walk with friends. Movement feels safe and refreshing here, and there are so many opportunities to stay active.
My weekends often include wandering downtown Main Street, shopping local boutiques, visiting the farmers market in the summer for fresh eggs and banana bread, or grabbing dinner at George’s Local or Urban Pie. I love a patio, no matter how hot or how cold it is.
In the summer, you’ll almost always find me at the Prairie Lakes Trail, from walking the path, to sitting and watching others fish, or lying out a blanket and journaling on the hill. Some of my favorite memories and conversations have happened there. I also enjoy playing pickleball, and I will never say no to an ice cream cone from Four Queens.
Live music is another favorite, and one of the things I love most about the Cedar Valley is how easily accessible it is, from festivals and outdoor events to local restaurants hosting bands. The community continually creates opportunities to gather, celebrate, and connect.
The Cedar Valley isn’t flashy, and that’s part of its beauty. It’s warm, steady, and full of people who care deeply about where they live and the people around them. It’s a place where I’ve grown into myself, personally, professionally, and creatively.
I didn’t just land here. I chose to stay.
And every day, the Cedar Valley reminds me why.
– Haley Hamm, Marketing and Events Coordinator | John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center (JPEC)
