Pedaling for Future Leaders

This summer, my son Clark and I will be riding one day of RAGBRAI 2026 to support the Cabby Dean's Fund, a Student Life fund that helps Upper Iowa University students access leadership development and professional growth opportunities.

The fund is named in honor of Dean Caballero, who served as Dean of Students from 1965 to 1995 and dedicated his career to supporting and developing students. His commitment to student success continues through this fund, which provides financial support for students to attend leadership conferences, participate in professional development experiences, and helps offset the cost of Student Life's annual Emerging Leaders Conference.

As Assistant Vice President for Student Life, I have the privilege of witnessing the impact these opportunities have on students. Time and again, I see students return from conferences and leadership programs with greater confidence, stronger skills, and a renewed sense of purpose. These experiences help students discover their potential, build meaningful connections, and prepare for success long after graduation.

This ride is especially meaningful because I'll be sharing it with my 8-year-old son, Clark. Together, we'll be riding not only to support today's student leaders but also to demonstrate the importance of investing in others, giving back to our community, and creating opportunities for future generations.

Our goal is to raise $1,000 for the Cabby Dean's Fund. Every donation, regardless of size, will help create opportunities for students to learn, lead, and grow through experiences that can shape the trajectory of their college journey and future careers.

Thank you for supporting our ride and, more importantly, for investing in the next generation of Peacock leaders.

See you on the road!

Danielle & Clark