Inside Iowa State for faculty and staff

Feb. 5, 2026

Inside news

Review focuses on vitality of low-enrollment programs

As directed by the Iowa Board of Regents, a campus review is looking at underenrolled academic programs, defined as undergraduate programs with fewer than 25 majors and graduate programs with fewer than 10 majors. An information-gathering phase has begun.


Innovation's expansion on campus is evident in pitch off

A campus commitment to innovation and entrepreneurship is bolstered by faculty who see its value and bring it into their classroom. Students from all seven colleges bring the ideas and the energy.


Collecting information on child care needs

An estimated 1,620 faculty and staff have been asked about their child care needs -- current or future -- in a survey from university human resources that closes Feb. 19. It seeks information about child care use, access, satisfaction, affordability, waitlist experiences, anticipated needs and challenges.


Application window is open for fall leadership academy

The 10-month Emerging Leaders Academy supports the development of term and tenured faculty and P&S staff who work in leadership roles or aspire to them. The 2026-27 cohort will be selected this spring.


Dean reappointment review is underway

As a required part of the academic reappointment process, the office of the senior vice president and provost is conducting a five-year review of College of Health and Human Sciences dean Laura Jolly.

Announcements

The following announcements were added this week:

  • You're invited: Campus conference on ethics in AI and technology
  • Congratulations, 2026 Advancing One Community Award recipients
  • Workspace host Valentine's pop-up shop Feb. 9-13
  • AI micro-credential courses launch this week
  • Nominate your supplier for procurement awards
  • Registration closes soon for Feb. 26 P&S conference
  • Cyclone Support Resource Fair is Feb. 17
  • Iowa Water Conference organizers seek session proposals
  • Federal 1095-C forms are in Workday
  • Lots to learn, great prizes awarded during Lab Safety Week
  • Pre-sale begins Feb. 6 for Post Malone/Jelly Roll stadium concert in July
  • Hort Club is pre-selling Valentine's Day bouquets
  • Computer science office moves to Durham Center
  • Nominate an exemplary faculty mentor
  • Tearoom's spring lunch season starts Feb. 3
  • Faculty, staff invited to try 'Scholars Who Write' sessions

Around campus

'Love Data' observance at the library is Feb. 9-13

International Love Data Week, based at the University of Michigan, has a campus presence next week at Parks Library. Events include two free workshops on data visualization and a noon lecture by artist Norwood Viviano, who currently has an exhibition in the Brunnier Art Museum and incorporates GIS data into his sculptures.


Community leaders have new way to explore public data

The Community Insights website, developed by Extension and Outreach's Community and Economic Development data team, gives local officials, planners and nonprofit leaders one place to explore trusted data and better understand trends for informed, place-based decision-making. 


Ninth-graders introduced to a university lab

Silvina Arias, adjunct assistant professor in plant pathology, entomology and microbiology, recently hosted 15 ninth-grade students in the Seed Science Center lab to explore the roles fungi play in the world. The partnership with Science Bound is designed to spark interest among youth in STEM fields.


On rotation with a vet med student

Among its many demands, the fourth year of veterinary school includes a series of two-week clinical rotations. Equine dentistry, anyone?


A clear look at plant growth 

Students of agronomy assistant teaching professor Elnaz Ebrahimi are studying plant growth aided by smart rhizoboxes. The transparent containers are equipped with soil sensors and high-resolution cameras that provide insight on the root and shoot function, spurring students' understanding of nutrient uptake and overall plant physiology.  

Retirements and receptions

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.


This week


Next week

  • Retirement, Kim Wyatt,Thielen Student Health Center, Feb. 10 (2-4 p.m., Patterson Library, Thielen Student Health Center)
  • Retirement, Brenda Martin, Center for Industrial Research and Service, Feb. 12 (no public event)


Upcoming

  • Retirement, Rosalyn Branaman, Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, correction: March 2 (no public event)

Events

Student modern dance show returns

Orchesis 1 Dance Company, a student organization, will present its modern dance tradition, Barjché, this weekend, Friday and Saturday (7:30 p.m. nightly, Fisher Theater). Tickets are $12 (students $10) via Ticketmaster or at the Stephens box office.


Men's hockey club hosts Midland

Nebraska's Midland University Warriors come to town Friday for a game with the Cyclone men's hockey club (7:30 p.m., Ames/ISU Ice Arena). Tickets are $5 at the door.


America@250 lecture series continues

Asma Khalid, co-host of the BBC News podcast "The Global Story" and former National Public Radio White House correspondent, will give the 2026 Mary Louise Smith lecture, "Our American Experiment: 250 Years On," on Tuesday, Feb. 10 (7 p.m., MU Great Hall). Admission is free. 

Learning opportunities

Center for Excellence in Learning and Teaching (CELT) programming

Register in advance.


Center for Industrial Research and Service (CIRAS) programming

  • Webinar, SBA Essentials: How to Start, Grow and Strengthen Your Small Business, Feb. 10 (10-11 a.m., virtual)

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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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