Inside Iowa State for faculty and staff

April 2, 2026

Inside news

ISU police department adds first working dog

Belgian Shepard Zak is trained as an explosives detection dog also capable of tracking missing people or items. With his handler, ISU officer Solomon Farner, Zak will help secure venues prior to large events like concerts and athletic contests.


Providing a home for innovation

Learn more about the ISU Research Park's "meet them where they are" approach to helping campus researchers advance their young technology companies. Current faculty startups in the park market a range of products, including biomanufacturing tools, nanosensors and biopesticides. This is the second installment in news service's Innovation at Work series.


Congratulations, CYtation recipients

At a March 24 ceremony, 25 employees from across the university received the Professional and Scientific Council's CYtation Award for their outstanding work and contributions during calendar year 2025. New in the lineup this year is the Outstanding Supervisor CYtation Award.


Five questions with a CYtation Award winner

​​Student counseling services' Michelle Roling is nearing her 25th year at Iowa State, and the assistant director of outreach doesn't stop finding ways to connect students in need to the appropriate resources.


DeLisi is Iowa State's newest scientific fellow

The American Association for the Advancement of Science has named Matt DeLisi one of its fellows for his contributions to criminal justice. DeLisi, a Distinguished Professor in Liberal Arts and Sciences and coordinator of the criminal justice program, is the author of more than 30 books.
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Announcements

The following announcements were added this week:

  • Summer, fall instructors: Confirm teaching assignments, submit course materials
  • Register for conflict management training in June
  • ISU Extension and Outreach Week is April 6-11
  • Volunteers still needed for Cy's Finals Frenzy, May 3-8
  • Outstanding student employee supervisor, student employee honored
  • Annual Hertz lecture looks at Pioneer’s early role in shaping the seed industry 
  • Applications sought for term faculty learning community
  • Registration is open for two-day drone workshop in May
  • Student food pantry needs summer shift volunteers
  • Pohlman to retire from University Museums this summer
  • Mid-career retirement checkup is April 16
  • Program explores family recipes as living history 
  • Spring research innovation roundtable is set for May 18
  • Spring classes for retirees begin April 6
  • Visitation, memorial service set for former employee Marty Martinez
  • Work resumes on U.S. Highway 30 in southeast Ames
View all announcements
 

Around campus

Second phase of city road widening has begun

Construction resumed this week on the South 16th Street widening project in front of the Veterinary Medicine campus. Phase 1 of the two-summer project was done last year; phase 2 is scheduled for completion by Aug. 21.


Use the digital accessibility reporting portal

With the federal April 24 digital accessibility compliance deadline approaching, an ISU reporting portal lets employees and students flag any accessibility barriers they encounter in university digital content. All reports are reviewed by the digital accessibility team and followup is available when the submitter requests it.


New Bayer center will expand digital ag collaboration

The Crop Science division of Bayer has opened the Seed Production Innovation Center in the ISU Research Park to maximize seed quality, support farmers and provide opportunities for students preparing for careers in ag technology. The center's proximity to the Digital Ag Innovation Lab is expected to accelerate collaboration in precision agriculture, automation and data analytics.


Monarch overwintering numbers continue upward trend

For the second year in a row, monarch butterfly population numbers have increased. This year, monarchs occupied 7.24 acres at their overwintering sites in Mexico, a 64% increase from last year's 4.42 acres. The growth is important but the current population still falls well below the levels scientists say will sustain the insect.
 

Retirements

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

  • Lori Wildeman, Fir team, Finance Service Delivery, April 2 (no public event), post well wishes to Lori's Kudoboard
  • John Wageman, undergraduate student services, Ivy College of Business, April 2, no public event


Next week

  • Kelly Freel, APEX Accelerator Team, Center for Industrial Research and Service, April 10 (3-5 p.m., first floor, Economic Development Core Facility, ISU Research Park)
 

Events

Weather shifts weekend softball schedule

The likelihood of cooler temperatures and rain showers has delayed Iowa State softball's series against No. 14 Arizona by several days. The teams will play a doubleheader on Sunday beginning at 1 p.m., and the third game of the series will start at 1 p.m. on Monday, all at the Cyclone Sports Complex. Admission is free.


In case you missed it

"One Battle After Another," winner of American Academy, British Academy, Critic's Choice and Golden Globe 2026 Best Picture titles, is Cyclone Cinema's feature film this weekend. Showtime is 7 p.m. Thursday-Sunday in 101 Carver. Admission is free; concessions are available for $2-$3.


A burst of color at Reiman Gardens

April is a bright month at Reiman Gardens with vibrant blooms and extended evening hours. During the month, more than 45,000 tulips, 25,000 daffodils, hyacinths and more will be blooming, and the gardens will stay open until 8 p.m. every Tuesday and Thursday (the butterfly wing still closes at 4:30 p.m.). Regular gardens admission rates apply.
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Learning opportunities

Center for Excellence in Learning and Teaching (CELT) programming

Register in advance.
 

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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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