Hosted by the University of Iowa College of Education
The Mental Wellness Symposium, a joint initiative of the First Responder Center for Excellence and the University of IOWA is bringing together leading experts, fire service professionals, and mental health specialists to discuss mental wellness.
REGISTRATION
$350 until December 31, 2025 $400 beginning January 1, 2026
Registration includes one (1) conference ticket and special event tickets (see Receptions & Special Events below for details on what’s included).
Cedar Rapids Airport (CID) is just a 15–20 minute drive from the venue.
Recommended hotels are located within a 10-minute walk of the venue.
All major airlines serve Cedar Rapids, but flights are limited—book early for best availability.
Check back often for the latest travel updates.
MEALS
Breakfast and lunch will be provided at Catlett Market Place, located on the 2nd floor of Catlett Residence Hall (east side of campus), just a 4-minute walk from the venue.
Catlett offers a buffet-style dining experience with nine different stations featuring a fresh variety of foods, including made-to-order items such as pizza, salads, and burgers. Breakfast is served all day.
Please note: Catlett Market Place is cashless.
Meal tickets will be included in your registration packet - you must provide a meal ticket for EACH meal.
RECEPTIONS & SPECIAL EVENTS
Sunday, May 31Opening Reception Kinnick Stadium (North End Zone) | 5:00 pm – 6:30 pm followed by a 30 minute tour
Join us at the iconic Kinnick Stadium, home of the Iowa Hawkeyes, for our Opening Reception to celebrate the start of the Mental Wellness Symposium. Enjoy an evening of camaraderie, refreshments, and stunning views from the North End Zone Club Level.
INCLUDES: Appetizers and 1 drink ticket
DRESS: Casual
JOIN US FOR A GROUP PHOTO IN THE END ZONE AT 6:15PM
Join us for a relaxing evening at Walker Homestead Winery, a beautiful vineyard just minutes from campus, as we gather to celebrate the second night of the Mental Wellness Symposium.
INCLUDES: Round-trip shuttle, appetizers and 1 drink ticket
DRESS: Business Casual/Casual
Tuesday, June 2 Vendor Happy Hour
Vendor Exhibit Area | 5:30 pm – 6:30 pm
Join us in the Vendor Exhibit Area for a relaxed happy hour with our symposium vendors.
The vendor raffle winner will be announced during this event.
Dinner on Your Own: We recommendBig Grove Brewery
Wrap up a full day of sessions with good food, local flavor, and relaxed company at Big Grove Brewery — one of Iowa City’s most popular gathering spots.
1225 S. Gilbert St, Iowa City, IA 52240 | (319) 354-2687 | 10-minute walk from hotels
Wednesday, June 3 Optional Tour Field of Dreams | 2:30 pm - 4:00pm
Make your Iowa visit unforgettable—join us for the Field of Dreams Site tour. Explore the famous diamond and meet one of the ghost players who keeps the dream alive. DON'T FORGET YOUR GLOVE to have a catch on the FIELD OF DREAMS!
Daniel L. Clay is currently psychology professor and Dean of the University of Iowa College of Education. He has worked as a police officer, and he co-authored the book Stress Management for Law Enforcement Officers.
Dean Clay is a nationally recognized scholar and fellow of the American Psychological Association and also the American Educational Research Association. He was recognized in 2014 as a Leader of Change by The Network for Change and Continuous Innovation: Higher Education’s Network for Change Leadership. He founded the Scanlan Center for School Mental health and raised $40 million to support mental health initiatives in youth.
Dean Clay earned a Bachelor of Arts in psychology from the College of St. Scholastica in Duluth, Minnesota; a Master of Arts in educational and counseling psychology from the University of Missouri; and a Ph.D. in counseling psychology from the University of Missouri. He also received a higher education administration certificate through the Management Development Program at Harvard University and an MBA from the University of Missouri Trulaske College of Business.
Frank Leeb served as Deputy Assistant Chief in the Fire Department of New York for more than 31 years. During his career, he held several senior staff positions, including the Chief of the Fire Academy, Chief of Training, and the Chief of Safety. Frank has also been a member of the East Farmingdale Fire Department since 1983 (Long Island NY). He is the Managing Director of the First Responder Center for Excellence. Frank was also the keynote speaker for Firehouse Expo in 2022 and was a presenter at the 2022 and 2023 U.S. Fire Administrator Summit on Fire Prevention and Control. He is also the author of the best-selling book “Cornerstones of Leadership - On And Off The fireground”.
Dena Ali is a Battalion Chief with the Raleigh (NC) Fire Department where she has worked her way up the ranks. She previously served as a police officer for five years. Ali has a degree from North Carolina State University and an MPA from the University of North Carolina—Pembroke, where her research focused on firefighter suicide. As a graduate student, she was awarded the 2018 MPA student of the year. She has also received several awards throughout her career. One that she is most proud of is the NC Office of State Fire Marshal Honor, Courage, and Valor award that she earned for her steadfast effort to bring awareness to firefighter mental health through her vulnerability. Dena has also served as a subject matter expert at the National Fire Academy where she assisted in curriculum review for their health and wellness curriculum. Dena is the founder and director of North Carolina Peer Support where she helped to develop their statewide curriculum. She is also the author of the soon to be released book "Hope out of Darkness a Guide to First Responder Mental Wellness" which will be published by Fire Engineering.
