Inside Iowa State for faculty and staff

Feb. 19, 2026

Inside news

Tuition decision is on new spring timeline

State appropriations for next year are unknown until legislation passes this spring, but next week, the Iowa Board of Regents will do a first read of Iowa State's proposed tuition increases for fall: 3% for resident undergraduates and all graduate students and 4.5% for nonresident undergraduates. A final decision will come at the board's April meeting.


Search begins for university librarian

Hilary Seo's successor will serve as the Colonel Gary G. Swenson University Librarian, a senior professional and scientific staff role to provide academic leadership around student success, research excellence and technology integration.


Quick change doesn't slow down Hilton crews

Long hours and tight deadlines were the name of the game last weekend for the crews that transition Hilton Coliseum from one sport to another. Sunday saw a women's basketball game in the afternoon before the wrestling team took to the mat in the evening. As wrestling fans departed, the switch back to basketball had begun for the men's game Monday evening.


Dean of students search is underway

The search opened last week for the next associate vice president for student affairs and dean of students. The intent is to conduct on-campus interviews with finalists in April, with the successful candidate starting in the post this summer.


Planetarium shines again: Friday shows return to Physics Hall

The popular family-friendly events are resuming on the final Friday of each month, beginning Feb. 27. There will be three 25-minute shows -- 6, 6:30 and 7 p.m. -- in the 27-seat room. Free tickets are available online.


Employees can get advice, guidance from TIAA

ISU employees, including IPRS participants, can talk with knowledgeable professionals at TIAA who can help build strategies for and confidence in their financial future -- in a phone, virtual or in-person setting. To meet all levels of questions, TIAA offers four kinds of help, all of which are free to use.

Announcements

The following announcements were added this week:

  • Swan Lake ballet tickets go on sale Feb. 20
  • Presidents present funding requests to legislators on Feb. 23
  • Presentation opportunity in April for grad, undergrad students
  • ISU KIN Kids' spring session has openings 
  • Support the Cap and Gown Legacy Project for first-generation students
  • Learn basic financial management skills in workshops
  • Reminder: Survey on child care needs closes Thursday 
  • Ivy Sales Innovation Summit is April 7
  • Add research/creative positions for undergrads to CyHire by March 2
  • Kick-off meeting for fall Cyclone Family Weekend is March 3
  • Peter Pan ballet tickets are on sale
  • Spring courses preview for lifelong learners is March 4

Around campus

Faculty conference looks to strengthen work environment 

The 2026 Faculty Senate Conference on March 25 will focus on collegiality and working well together. Faculty can attend as much of the conference as their schedule allows but are asked to register by March 13.


New knee model gives students a leg up

Iowa State professors collaborated to design and fabricate a new 3D-printed dynamic knee anatomy model that helps athletic training students better visualize and understand a knee's motion and inner workings.


State tourneys provide a real-world lab for Greenlee School interns

Starting with the inaugural broadcast on Iowa PBS of the Iowa Girls State Wrestling Tournament Feb. 5-6, and continuing through mid-March with boys wrestling, girls basketball and boys basketball state championships, students from the Greenlee School of Journalism and Communication are getting integral production roles with the live broadcasts.

Appointments

  • Scott Smalley, professor of agricultural education and studies, to department chair, effective April 1

Retirements, farewells 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.



Next week

  • Retirement, Pete Lelonek, Molecular Biology Building research administrator, vice president for research, Feb. 24 (3:30-4:30 p.m., atrium, Molecular Biology Building), post well wishes to his Kudoboard
  • Opening reception, Connections, juried student art exhibition, Feb. 25 (6-7:30 p.m., award winners announced at 6:15 p.m., Art Gallery, first floor Memorial Union)
  • Farewell, Kelsey Hummer, Redwood team, Finance Service Delivery, Feb. 27 (no public event)


Upcoming

  • Retirement, Rosalyn Branaman, Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, March 2 (no public event)
  • Welcome reception, President David Cook and Katie Cook, March 2 (3-5 p.m., come and go, ground floor, Beardshear Hall)

Events

Rock climber shares his story Monday evening

Aron Ralston, elite mountaineer and the subject of a book, "Between a Rock and a Hard Place," and the Oscar‑nominated 2010 film "127 Hours," will give a public lecture on Monday, Feb. 23 (7 p.m., MU Great Hall). Admission is free. In 2003 in a remote Utah canyon, Ralston was trapped by a boulder and eventually freed himself by amputating his own arm.


Jazz performance features Monk music

The student ensembles jazzONE and ISU Jazz Combos will dedicate a concert to the music of jazz pianist and composer Thelonious Monk on Wednesday, Feb. 25 (7:30 p.m., Tye Recital Hall, Simon Estes Music Hall). Tickets are $10 at the door. The concert also will be livestreamed.


Women's basketball home finale is Feb. 25

The Cyclone women's basketball team plays its final home game of the regular season against Oklahoma State on Wednesday, Feb. 25 (6:30 p.m., Hilton Coliseum). Fans are encouraged to wear their gold gear. Tickets are available online.

Learning opportunities

Center for Excellence in Learning and Teaching (CELT) programming

Register in advance.


Extension and Outreach programming

Register in advance.

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