Inside Iowa State for faculty and staff

March 5, 2026

Inside news

An introductory Q&A with the Cooks

President David Cook and his spouse, Katie Cook, took time for a short Q&A with Inside about the start of his presidency and how they hope to meet lots of Iowa Staters. Enjoy images from the first few days of the Cook presidency.


Welcome

Alumna Krysta Steckelberg joins the staff in the president's office as executive assistant to President David Cook, responsible for maintaining the president's calendar, fielding appearance requests and scheduling travel.


Pitch-off winners share a focus on personal safety

Twenty-seven students or student teams pitched in this year's finale, in either the new business or existing business category. The winners designed a welding cap for people with long hair and a device to help firefighters more easily move in buildings.


Do and teach: Instructors bring careers to the classroom

Their titles may vary, but Iowa State's professors of practice use their workforce experience to provide unique opportunities in the classroom, where students get real examples of what's to come after graduation.


Former faculty member will lead process to enhance online programs

The provost's office has tapped Jennifer Blackhurst, former professor of supply chain management, to develop a strategic framework for online programming and build on the strong momentum Iowa State Online has generated since its inception in 2023.


A wrap-up from last week's regents meeting

Increases to tuition, parking permit and student housing and dining rates received first reviews from the Iowa Board of Regents. The regents also requested a preliminary list next month of low-enrollment degree programs that will be shuttered.
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Announcements

The following announcements were added this week:

  • P&S Council election is March 10-14
  • Volunteers needed for Cy's Finals Frenzy, May 3-8
  • Register now for March 25 Digital Scholarship Symposium
  • Register for a pre-premiere screening of 4-H documentary
  • Enjoy the Anderson Sculpture Garden before art is covered
  • Workshop for aspiring business owners is March 28
  • Daylight saving time returns Sunday morning
  • Reminder: Register for the Faculty Senate Conference by March 13
  • Volunteers needed for Science Olympiad tournament on April 11
  • $20 tickets available for Stephens show on March 6
  • Tax form 1095-C is available now in Workday
  • AI and tech ethics: Campus conference is March 12
View all announcements
 

Around campus

ISU: $6B economic engine for the state

Iowa State's $6 billion economic impact supports one out of every 36 jobs in Iowa, according to an analysis conducted for the Iowa Board of Regents. That impact includes $2.1 billion in economic development and added income from ISU startups and Iowa-based businesses assisted by CIRAS and the Small Business Development Center.


Athletics department will eliminate gymnastics program

On March 3, Endowed Cyclone Director of Athletics Jamie Pollard announced that the women's gymnastics program will be discontinued and replaced with another (as yet, undetermined) sport for women. Women's gymnastics became an ISU sport in 1973-74. The team won four conference championships, the most recent of which was in 2006.


Prairie strips prove important to pollinators, too

An ISU research team found even a small patch of prairie embedded in vast farmland could have a positive impact for pollinators. When pesticides were detected in prairie strips, exposure levels were generally low and not different from what pollinators experience in other crop-adjacent habitats.


Sleep deprivation's impact within the legal system

Psychology professor Zlatan Krizan led a research team that looked at the impact of sleep loss on the reliability of statements and confessions in the legal system. The team argues that sleep disruption needs to be documented, managed and weighed in legal decisions.
 

Events

Four women take on the French Revolution

ISU Theatre will present the comedy "The Revolutionists" March 5-7 (7:30 p.m.) and March 8 ( 2 p.m.) at Fisher Theater. The plot follows four fierce women -- playwright Olympe de Gouges, assassin Charlotte Corday, former queen Marie Antoinette and Haitian rebel Marianne Angelle -- as they navigate the French Revolution's Reign of Terror and try to beat back extremist insanity in 1793 Paris. All tickets are general admission ($20 for adults, free for youth and ISU students), and can be purchased at the door, the Stephens box office or Ticketmaster.


Cyclones close out regular season at home

The sixth-ranked men's basketball team plays its final home game of the season, against Arizona State, on Saturday, March 7 (1 p.m., Hilton Coliseum). Tickets are available through Ticketmaster.


Singers' spring concert is Sunday afternoon

The Iowa State Singers will present their spring concert on Sunday, March 8 (1:30 p.m., Tye Recital Hall, Simon Estes Music Hall). Their program features classic and contemporary music. Admission is $10 at the door.
View events calendar
 

Learning opportunities

Center for Excellence in Learning and Teaching (CELT) programming

Register in advance.


Extension and Outreach programming

Register in advance.

  • Webinar, Performance Management, part of the Twelve Essential Skills for Managers and Supervisors series, March 23 (2-3 p.m., via Zoom)


University human resources programming

  • Leadership Skills Certificate series, register in Workday Learning
  • Webinar, Communicating in Challenging Situations, March 10 (10-11 a.m., via Teams)
  • Webinar, Leading with Your Best Self, April 2 (10-11 a.m., via Teams)
  • Seminar, Managing Conflict, April 8 (10 a.m.-noon, room 1060, Digital Ag Innovation Lab, 3800 University Blvd.)
  • Seminar, Effective Leadership and Communication, April 15 (1-3 p.m., room 1060, Digital Ag Innovation Lab, 3800 University Blvd.)
 

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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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