Sioux City, IA – Morningside University is proud to announce that Haley Copenhaver of Sioux City, Iowa, has been selected for the 2026–2027 Iowa Corn Collegiate Advisory Team (CAT). The program helps college students deepen their understanding of the corn industry, build their professional networks, and grow as leaders in agriculture.
Copenhaver is the only Morningside student named to this year’s team. She joins a group of students from colleges and universities across Iowa who will spend the year learning directly from farmers, industry leaders, and policymakers. Over the one-year program, students will visit the Capitol, tour farms run by industry leaders, and expand their knowledge well beyond the classroom.

Her selection reflects the kind of active, experiential learning at the heart of the Morningside experience. Morningside encourages students to explore their interests, gain real-world skills, and take on leadership roles in their communities. Through opportunities like the Collegiate Advisory Team, students put classroom learning into practice and connect with the professionals shaping the industries they hope to join.

“Iowa Corn is dedicated to growing the next generation of ag leaders and farmers to best serve Iowa’s agriculture industry,” said Iowa Corn Promotion Board President Paul Gieselman, a farmer from Morning Sun, Iowa. “Getting engaged in agriculture and networking with fellow students, in addition to Iowa corn farmers, is invaluable. Through the Collegiate Advisory Team, students build essential leadership skills while exploring the wide variety of career opportunities across corn and agriculture, giving them the hands-on experience needed to excel in their future careers.”

The Collegiate Advisory Team will meet three times during the 2026–2027 school year. Iowa Corn will provide experience and training in leadership, effective communication, policy, and industry relations. These skills align closely with Morningside’s commitment to ethical leadership and civic responsibility. Students will learn how agricultural policy takes shape, how to advocate for their industry, and how to lead with integrity in their future careers.

For Morningside students interested in agriculture, the program builds on the hands-on education available on campus. That includes courses offered through the Department of Applied Agriculture and Food Studies. Copenhaver’s experience will give her a firsthand look at the many career paths available in one of Iowa’s most important industries.