Inside Iowa State for faculty and staff

April 16, 2026

Inside news

Provost's office funds 24 transformative initiatives

Nearly $2.4 million across two years will support 24 competitive proposals that strengthen academic programs, bolster student success and career readiness, and build additional capacity in artificial intelligence.


Senators to vote on proposed term faculty changes in handbook

The proposed changes are intended to add clarity to the advancement process for term faculty and bring it closer to the tenure-track faculty process as ISU works toward policies that apply to all faculty.


Faculty promotions, low-enrolled programs are on regents' agenda

Promotion and tenure requests for 46 Iowa State faculty and a final review of tuition rates for 2026-27 are scheduled when the Iowa Board of Regents meets April 22-23 at the ISU Alumni Center. The board also will elect a president and president pro-tem to serve two-year terms that begin May 1.


One week to go: Prioritize actions as accessibility mandate arrives

Not all ISU digital materials will be accessible on April 24. Chief information security officer Rich Tener's advice is to not panic, but fix the highest priority items first and keep moving down your list.


Bringing new solutions to market

At ISU's Startup Factory, researchers and inventors learn how to convert breakthrough ideas to real-world impacts. Read three current examples in this fourth installment of news services' spring series, "Innovation at Work."


Long-serving employees honored at annual banquet

During the 91st banquet this week of Iowa State's 25 Year Club, 139 faculty and staff were honored for 25, 35, 45 or 50 years of consecutive employment during calendar year 2025.

Announcements

The following announcements were added this week:

  • Nominations are open for youth program awards
  • Workday inbox hard to read? Update your browser
  • Four finalists identified in dean of students search
  • Peak tulip season begins at Reiman Gardens
  • Documentary about 4-H origins now viewable on YouTube
  • April 27 workshop provides info about Fulbright Scholar Program
  • Faculty explore storytelling in teaching and research
  • Reminder: Complete procurement services' customer satisfaction survey
  • LAS administrator Arne Hallum to retire June 30
  • Annual 5K scamper for dogs and their humans is May 2
  • Additional research roundtable announced for May 4

Around campus

First Amendment Days are April 21-23

The Greenlee School's annual celebration of freedoms -- religion, speech, press, assembly and petition -- includes its "Feast on the First" on central campus next Thursday and a Tuesday keynote by journalist A.J. Jacobs, author of the 2024 best-selling book, "The Year of Living Constitutionally" (6 p.m., MU Sun Room).


End of an era: Mainframe computer will be turned off soon

A roughly 50-year computing era at Iowa State will wind down on June 1 when the high-performance mainframe system is turned off, the drives destroyed and the IBM cabinets removed from the data center in the Durham Center basement.


Pollinators are key to diverse landscapes

Brian Wilsey, professor of ecology, evolution and organismal biology, led a recent study that showed pollinators help maintain plant biodiversity and suggested that significant decreases in pollinators could cause a "plant-pollinator extinction vortex."


A campus message about weather preparedness

Campus leaders emailed all university employees and students this week with a reminder to be alert to severe spring/summer weather, including tornadoes, thunderstorms and excessive heat.

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.



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
  • Anne Krapfl, Inside Iowa State, university marketing and communications, May 1, no public event

Events

Science with Cyclones is tonight

ISU science communication students will present about 20 displays that help youth explore topics from Spiderman and scabs to badgers and biomimicry during this science fair-like event for 8- to-11-year-olds on Thursday, April 16 (5:30-7 p.m., Reiman Gardens). Admission is free, and Cy is attending.


Theatre's season finale is this weekend

ISU Theatre's last production of the academic year starts tonight. Performances of "Peter and the Starcatcher" begin at 7:30 p.m. April 16-18 and at 2 p.m. on April 19, all in Fisher Theater. The Tony Award-winning production is a prequel to Peter Pan. General admission tickets are $20; youth and ISU students are free but need a ticket.


Animal Learning Day is Saturday

The Block and Bridle Club will hold its annual Animal Learning Day on Saturday, April 18 (9 a.m.-1 p.m., Hansen Agriculture Student Learning Center). The free event is an opportunity for the public to learn about animals in agriculture, take part in activities suitable for all ages and enjoy a free lunch (while supplies last).


Student-run fashion show is Saturday evening

Admire more than 100 design entries at The Fashion Show on Saturday, April 18 (7 p.m., Stephens Auditorium), produced entirely by ISU students working in more than a dozen committees. Tickets are $16-$32.


Earth Day campus celebration is April 22

The Live Green initiative is hosting an Earth Day celebration on Wednesday, April 22 (10 a.m.-2 p.m., Parks Library south lawn). Participate in activities to "create sustainably," win prizes, receive a free bike tune-up from the ISU Adventure Program and network with campus and community organizations whose missions focus on environmental, social and economic sustainability. Enjoy free refreshments and tunes from KURE 88.5 Radio.

Learning opportunities

Center for Excellence in Learning and Teaching (CELT) programming

Register in advance.


Extension and Outreach programming

Register in advance.

  • Webinar, 12 Essential Skills for Managers and Supervisors series, Performance Problems, April 27 (2-3 p.m., via Zoom)
  • Workshop, Facilitator Bootcamp, May 5-7 (8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. daily, 1020 Extension 4-H Building)

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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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