Inside Iowa State for faculty and staff

April 9, 2026

Inside news

Provost provides update to program vitality review

The outcomes include the recommended closure, merger or consolidation of 23 degree programs with low enrollments -- designated by the Iowa Board of Regents as fewer than 25 majors in an undergraduate program and fewer than 10 majors in a graduate program. Others received an exemption or a time extension for further study or action.


Cook listening tour makes a stop at council meeting

President David Cook brought his "listen, learn, lead" initiative to the P&S Council's April 2 meeting. Other council business included affirming the winners in last month's council election and reviewing a draft of the council's annual compensation and benefits review.


'A memory marker:' Artemis mission inspires possibilities

Iowa State has several alumni from the aerospace engineering department and NASA student interns who worked on the Artemis missions. Astronaut, alum and professor of practice Clayton Anderson called the mission "an incredibly important first step."


Anticipating viruses' next move for better vaccines

Assistant professor of chemical and biological engineering Ratul Chowdhury's research group uses simulations powered by artificial intelligence to learn from and then predict viral mutations to develop vaccines that protect animals from a range of potential variations. The depth of Iowa State's in-house data on livestock disease makes their simulation models more effective. This is the third installment of news services' spring series, Innovation at Work.


Training targets dearth of tax preparers with ag expertise

By offering free workshops to tax preparers on agricultural income tax issues, a new Iowa State program is intended to ensure more farmers have access to trusted tax guidance. The training is a collaboration of the Center for Agricultural Law and Taxation and the Ivy College of Business.

Announcements

The following announcements were added this week:

  • Newest Ames-area Alliance podcast features President David Cook
  • Host families sought for 4-week homestays for Japanese youth
  • Results of the 2026 'State of Manufacturing' survey to be shared in webinar
  • Iowa youth in grades 8-12 can attend 4-H conference on campus in June
  • You're invited: Undergraduate research symposium is April 16
  • Lawn Mower Service Days are April 10-11
  • Graduate student invites guests to her 'Please Touch the Art' exhibition 
  • Register now to exhibit at Center of ExCYtement in August
  • Youth culinary camps scheduled for June

Around campus

More ice cream and cheese, please

Assisted by a grant, the Iowa State University Creamery purchased a larger pasteurizer with which it can produce more ice cream and cheese with less manual labor. The creamery now can make 200 gallons of ice cream per week (versus 150 previously), and 113 pounds of cheese per run versus 68 pounds.


Hyland Avenue reconstruction resumes this month

On the west side of campus, the two sides of Hyland will be reconstructed in separate stages, each lasting an estimated six to seven weeks, weather permitting. Pammel Drive will be inaccessible from Hyland during the project.


The preferred type of narcissism

In an essay for The Conversation, Paul Sanchez-Ruiz, management and entrepreneurship assistant professor, analyzed 12 seasons of the TV show "Shark Tank." He found that entrepreneurs displaying narcissistic behavior are better able to convince investors to give them money when their grandiosity comes across as confidence rather than arrogance or defensiveness.


Just in time: New disaster readiness aid

ISU Extension and Outreach has launched a disaster readiness website, a one-stop hub for trusted information and resources to help Iowans prepare for, respond to and recover from disasters. It focuses on audience-based guidance and tools, from individuals and households to businesses and local government.


Using AI tools to support, not shortcut, research

The Library 1600 course, Introduction to College Research, is being revamped for fall with ties to the Association of College Research Libraries' AI Literacy Framework. 

Appointments

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

  • 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)


Upcoming

  • George Work, music and theatre, April 26 (4:30-6 p.m., lobby, Simon Estes Music Hall), following 3 p.m. concert by the Ames Piano Quartet

Events

Bookstore's appreciation event is Thursday

The ISU Book Store's Cyclone Appreciation Day is April 9 (3-6 p.m.). Local businesses and campus groups will staff tables throughout the store offering prizes, free samples, adoptable dogs and (all-day) deals on clothing, gifts and technology.


Percussion ensemble performs on Saturday

The ISU Percussion Ensemble will present a free concert on Saturday, April 11 (7:30 p.m., Tye Recital Hall, Simon Estes Music Hall). The concert will include a performance by members of the Percussion Techniques Class.


Stadium concert is Saturday night

In the first of two outdoor concerts this year, country music artist Luke Combs brings his "My Kinda Saturday Nights" tour to Jack Trice Stadium on Saturday, April 11 (first of four warm-up performances starts at 5:20 p.m.). Tickets, including resale, are still available. Stadium-area parking is sold out, except for the RV lot.

Learning opportunities

Center for Excellence in Learning and Teaching (CELT) programming

Register in advance.

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