Inside Iowa State for faculty and staff
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Campus prepares for accreditation review, site visit
In preparation for a March site visit as part of Iowa State's reaccreditation from the Higher Learning Commission, a mock site visit is scheduled for Monday, Dec. 1. Faculty and staff are invited to participate in three open sessions that day.
Welcome
Kevin Saunders is the new executive director of institutional research, joining the team on Nov. 18. He returns to Iowa State after 15 years of service at Drake University.
Repaired violins help introduce more youth to music
By breathing new life into old fiddles and donating them to Stephens Auditorium's instrument drive, retired sociology professor Paul Lasley makes music instruction accessible for area elementary students.
Library provides AI best practices guide
The guide provides basic and intricate information about artificial intelligence use. Instruction librarians compiled data from numerous organizations, tapped experts on campus and incorporated several videos and charts to add interactive elements. References are provided for learners who want to dig deeper.
The next COACHE faculty survey is in 2026
The faculty satisfaction survey has been administered about every four years since 2005-06 and is designed to collect information about their experience at the institution. The next survey will be sent to all faculty from February through April.
Regents learn more about three-year degree options
Over last five years, the top ISU degree programs with early completers have been agricultural business, psychology, agricultural studies, event management, and human development and family studies. Not all programs are a good fit for an accelerated plan.
Alumni association members approve change
A change in governance was a key final step in combining Iowa State's alumni association and foundation, which largely was completed at the end of September. The combination is among several consultant recommendations being implemented to move toward "one university."
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The following announcements were added this week:
- Reminder: Benefits enrollment closes at 5 p.m. Friday
- No Inside email next week
- Annual holiday art mart is Dec. 2-5 in the Memorial Union
- Find unique gifts and treats at entrepreneurs' holiday market Dec. 5
- Commodity director will present Deal leadership lecture
- Purchase Reiman Gardens' Winter Wonderscape tickets in advance
- CeCe Winans concert tickets go on sale Nov. 20
- Forestry club's tree and wreath sale runs for three weekends
- Nominations open for Student Employee, Student Employee Supervisor of the Year
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Engineers look to build semiconductor workforce
A team of Iowa State researchers is establishing a year-long program to recruit and train students for the semiconductor industry. It's all about giving students a head start on their careers and building a U.S. chip workforce.
Study of soil carbon decomposition impacts climate models
A new study led by Iowa State ecologists found the base rate of organic carbon decomposition in soil across the U.S. can vary as much as tenfold. Updating models with an improved understanding of the decomposability of organic carbon in soil could improve the accuracy of estimates in models, leading to more refined climate projections.
A spiral for $100,000?
First-year veterinary medicine student Creed King is one of three finalists in the Dr. Pepper Tuition Challenge at the Dec. 6 SEC Football Championship game in Atlanta. The day before, she'll compete against two other finalists, and the top two advance to the finals during halftime, where the winner receives $100,000, the runner-up $25,000 and the third finalist $2,500.
| | - Kipp Van Dyke, associate dean of students and director of student assistance, to Interim associate vice president for student affairs and dean of students, effective Jan. 3, 2026
| | Retirements and farewells | | |
Employees, their colleagues or supervisors are invited to use our online form to submit retirements, departures and receptions. Inside doesn't receive this information from a central source.
Upcoming
- Retirement, Lori Bushore, student services, College of Engineering, Dec. 1 (no public event)
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Retirement, Steve Mickelson, agricultural and biosystems engineering, Dec. 2 (2-4 p.m., remarks at 2:15 p.m., atrium, Sukup Hall), post well wishes to his Kudoboard
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Retirement, President Wendy Wintersteen and Robert Waggoner, Dec. 4 (3-6:30 p.m., program at 3:30 p.m., MU Great Hall)
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Retirement, Brenda Emery, food science and human nutrition, Dec. 10 (3-5 p.m., program at 3:30 p.m., Culinary Discovery Lab, 2379 Food Sciences Building)
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Farewell, Sharron Evans, dean of students office, Dec. 12 (3-5 p.m., program at 3:30 p.m., MU South Ballroom)
- Retirement, Fran Sobotka, kinesiology and health, Dec. 17 (2-4 p.m., 0213 Forker), retiring Jan. 2, 2026
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Accreditation mock site visit
In preparation for a March site visit as part of Iowa State's reaccreditation from the Higher Learning Commission, a mock site visit will be held Monday, Dec. 1. Faculty and staff are invited to participate in these open sessions in the Memorial Union Campanile Room:
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Criteria 1 and 2 (Mission and Integrity: Ethical and Responsible Conduct), 9:55-10:40 a.m., register
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Criterion 3 (Teaching and Learning for Student Success), 11-11:45 a.m., register
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Criterion 4 (Sustainability: Institutional Effectiveness, Resources and Planning), 1-1:45 p.m., register
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Support student artists
The final day of the fall College of Design Art Club (CODAC) sale, featuring work by club members and integrated studio arts and integrated visual arts students, is Thursday, Nov. 20 (10 a.m.-4 p.m., foyer inside the College of Design main entrance). A majority of proceeds go to the artists and the rest help fund club activities.
Holiday houseguests? Treat them to Cyclone volleyball
The Cyclone volleyball team closes out its regular season during the fall break, hosting Kansas on Wednesday, Nov. 26 (6:30 p.m.) and Kansas State on Saturday, Nov. 29 (2 p.m.) at Hilton Coliseum. Tickets are $5 plus fees.
Cirque holiday show comes to Stephens next week
The "Cirque Musica Holiday Wonderland" national tour stops at Stephens Auditorium for a 7 p.m. performance on Wednesday, Nov. 26. Enjoy circus artistry and acrobatics, soaring aerial performances and holiday music in an all-new production for this year. Tickets start at $38 and can be purchased via Ticketmaster.
Cyclone wrestlers' duel with the Hawkeyes
General admission tickets remain for the Iowa State-Iowa wrestling dual meet on Sunday, Nov. 30 (noon, Hilton Coliseum). This is the sixth event in the annual Cy-Hawk Series, which Iowa State leads 9-2. Wear cardinal, Cyclone fans.
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About us
Inside Update, the companion email to Inside Iowa State, is sent Thursday mornings during the academic year by University Marketing and Communications. Questions may be directed to 515-294-7065.
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