Greater Dubuque Development Corporation Spearheads College Student Welcome Efforts

Dubuque, IA – Today, Greater Dubuque Development Corporation, in partnership with Clarke University, Emmaus University, Loras College, Northeast Iowa Community College, the University of Dubuque, and Wartburg Theological Seminary, delivered emails to more than 4,200 college students as part of the 2025 Welcome Students campaign. The email featured a video message from Dubuque Mayor Brad Cavanagh, produced in collaboration with the City of Dubuque’s Media Services staff. The video can be viewed at: https://youtu.be/QJzrE-kVxqM

Alongside the mayor’s message, the email outreach provided helpful information about life in Dubuque, including:

• The Jule: free bus fare for local college students within the city of Dubuque, with links to routes and locations.
• YOU can be great here Community of Colleges event series: two career fairs and social outings — including a hockey night, bowling night, and movie night — scheduled during the 2025–2026 academic year.
• AccessDubuqueJobs.com: a resource for students seeking employment opportunities in the region.

The email campaign builds on earlier outreach this summer, when more than 1,400 welcome letters were mailed to first-year and transfer students. Those letters also featured a message from Mayor Cavanagh and included resources highlighting transportation, employment, and special events for students.

“Our colleges and universities have already brought talented students to our region. It’s our responsibility, alongside partners in the public and private sectors, to welcome them into the community and demonstrate how YOU can be great here. By doing so, we strengthen their connection to Dubuque and increase the likelihood they will stay to help our region grow and prosper,” said Rick Dickinson, President & CEO of Greater Dubuque Development Corporation.

The Welcome Students campaign is a collaboration between Greater Dubuque Development and Loras College, Emmaus University, the University of Dubuque, Clarke University, Wartburg Theological Seminary, and Northeast Iowa Community College as well as Divine Word College, Capri College, and the University of Wisconsin-Platteville. It coincided with the Dubuque College Visit Week (July 28–August 1, 2025) and was reinforced by a Community of Colleges proclamation signed by Mayor Cavanagh on July 21, 2025 at a Dubuque City Council meeting.

The Welcome Students campaign is part of Greater Dubuque Development’s broader YOU can be great here initiative, which is focused on growing the regional population and retaining top talent.

For more information about the Welcome Students campaign, contact Nic Hockenberry, Director of Workforce Programming, at nicolash@greaterdubuque.org or 563-557-9049.