April OPPORTUNITIES AND UPDATES

Campus news and updates

University of Iowa Launches New Student Experience Survey
The inaugural Iowa Student Experience Survey will launch on April 7, 2025. The new survey aims to gather insights into student satisfaction, belonging, and financial concerns for all undergraduate students and graduate students in master’s and doctoral programs. This confidential survey, which takes just 10-15 minutes to complete, will remain open through May 16, 2025 and is designed to help the university better understand and improve the student experience. Students can find links to the survey on the Office of the Provost website. 

SDS accommodations in ICON Quizzes
Instructors who use ICON Classic Quizzes no longer need to manually adjust the time allowed on quizzes for students who elect to use Student Disability Services (SDS) extended time accommodations. A daily ICON system update automatically adjusts time allowed on ICON (Classic) Quizzes for students who have enabled extended time accommodations for their course.

Final exam duration options for Fall 2025
Instructors will be asked to choose an exam duration (60, 80, or 120 minutes) when scheduling final exams for the Fall 2025 semester, providing greater flexibility for instructors to align exam durations with course content, learning objectives, and assessment strategies. Previously, all final exams were scheduled for 120 minutes by default.

RECENT HONORS

Four UI faculty elected as AAAS Fellows
Four University of Iowa faculty members have been named 2024 fellows of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), the world’s largest general-scientific society and publisher of the journal Science.

2025 Iowa Mid-Career Faculty Scholars
Four University of Iowa faculty members have been selected as recipients of the Iowa Mid-Career Faculty Scholar Awards for 2025. The award, which is in its fourth year, provides funding and development opportunities for tenured mid-career faculty who have established national or international reputations in their disciplines and demonstrate exceptional teaching and mentorship.

Five UI faculty named Hubbard-Walder honorees
Five University of Iowa faculty members – Paula Amad, Justin Cosner, Julie Gros-Louis, Jennifer Sterling, and Lori Wallrath – were selected by the Council on Teaching to receive the 2025 Hubbard-Walder Award for Excellence in Teaching. The award is given to faculty who have demonstrated excellence in a variety of university teaching and have contributed to curriculum and/or program development.

Seven UI faculty selected for National Academy of Medicine Emerging Leaders Forum
Faculty from four UI colleges have been invited to attend the Emerging Leaders Forum on April 8-9 in Washington, D.C. The forum is an invitation-only event that gathers exceptional early- and mid-career professionals who show remarkable promise, achievement, and leadership in biomedical science, health care, health policy, and related fields. Participants will engage in interdisciplinary workshops and discussions designed to stimulate innovative solutions to some of the most pressing challenges in health and medicine.

Vecera receives Lola Lopes Award for undergraduate student advocacy
The 2025 Lola Lopes Award for Undergraduate Student Advocacy has been awarded to Shaun Vecera, director of the University of Iowa Honors Program and professor in the Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences. The award recognizes administrators, staff, or faculty outside of their teaching role who serve as strong and effective advocates for undergraduate students and the undergraduate experience. Recipients are selected by a committee of staff, faculty, and a student.

CAMPUS EVENTS

Celebration of Excellence and Achievement Among Women
Wednesday, April 2, 3:30 – 5 p.m., Levitt Center for University Advancement Fourth Floor Assembly Hall
All are invited to this awards ceremony and reception honoring the many outstanding contributions of women at the University of Iowa. Refreshments and social time will begin at 3:30 p.m., followed by the award celebration at 4 p.m.

Leaders in Discovery: Modeling Climate Science and Earth Systems with Lai-yung Ruby Leung
Monday, April 14, 3:30 – 5:30 p.m., Iowa Memorial Union International Ballroom
Faculty, staff, students, and members of the community are invited to the inaugural "Leaders in Discovery" lecture on Monday, April 14. Dr. L. Ruby Leung, an atmospheric scientist internationally recognized in Earth systems modeling and hydrologic processes, will discuss cutting-edge modeling techniques and her recent work on predictions of rainfall and atmospheric dynamics, including its implications for Iowa and the world.

Book Matters: University of Iowa Author Celebration
Tuesday, April 15, 4:30 – 6 p.m., Old Capitol Museum
This event will celebrate faculty and staff who have published books since spring 2023. Book Matters will include remarks from Executive Vice President and Provost Kevin Kregel, followed by short readings by two scholars who have recently authored books, Sarah E. Bond and Jill Wieber Lens. Register online to RSVP for the event. 

Iowa Mid-Career Faculty Scholar Symposium
Thursday, May 1, 3:30 p.m., Iowa Memorial Union Big Ten Theatre (348 IMU)
Join us for on May 1 for the second annual Iowa Mid-Career Faculty Scholar Symposium. Each scholar from the 2023-2026 Iowa Mid-Career Faculty Scholars cohort will provide a 15-minute presentation on their area of expertise. A public reception will follow.

University of Iowa Faculty and Staff Awards
Tuesday, May 6, 4 – 6:30 p.m., Hancher Auditorium
The second annual Faculty and Staff Awards will take place at 4 p.m. on May 6 at Hancher Auditorium. Units from across campus will come together to celebrate the fantastic work University of Iowa faculty and staff have accomplished throughout the year at this campuswide award ceremony. This event is open to all. 

FOR FACULTY

Summer 2025 Teaching in Higher Education Conference Award 
The Council on Teaching is seeking applications for the Summer 2025 Teaching in Higher Education Conference Award, which supports faculty and staff who plan to attend a conference related to teaching between June and August 2025. Applications are due April 16.

Scholarly Teaching Program
The Center for Teaching is now accepting applications for the Scholarly Teaching Program's Fall 2025 cohort. This interdisciplinary learning community helps teaching-focused faculty explore evidence-based teaching practices, engage in cross-disciplinary discussions, and attend a national teaching conference. Applications are due by April 21, 2025.

SoTL Scholars Program 
The SoTL Scholars Program supports faculty in conducting Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) projects to systematically explore and enhance student learning. Applications are due by April 21 for the second cohort of faculty who will receive funding and expert guidance to design, implement, and share their research while engaging with a faculty learning community and national SoTL experts.

Academic Deadlines for Instructors and Administrators

EVENTS

Writing Effective Teaching Narratives
Wednesday, April 2, noon – 1 p.m., via Zoom
This session, open to faculty in all tracks, is focused on helping faculty discuss their teaching practice and goals in promotion and review materials. 

Cultivating Success: International Teaching
Wednesday, April 2, 3 - 4:30 p.m., University Capitol Centre International Commons (1117)
This panel discussion, which was rescheduled from Feb. 12, features veteran faculty with successful teaching careers at the University of Iowa sharing different pedagogical approaches and discussing ways to enrich classroom environments based on transnational knowledge and wide-ranging experiences to enhance students’ learning outcomes.

EPSCoR Lunch and Learn: Department of Energy
Wednesday, April 16, noon – 1 p.m., UCC
EPSCoR enhances science and technology in states with fewer federal R&D funds. This lunch and learn session includes Department of Energy-specific opportunities, panel insights, and a Q&A. Lunch is provided.

NSF CAREER Recent Awardee Panel Session
Friday, April 18, 11 a.m. – noon, virtual
This panel session will provide attendees an opportunity to hear from recently accomplished CAREER Award recipients regarding their experience with the application process, need-to-know information, plus much more.

Developing a Summer Writing Plan
Friday, April 18, 9:30 – 10:30 a.m. 
With summer comes the opportunity to focus on that writing project you’ve been putting off all academic year. Whether that project is an article, book, grant proposal, or other creative endeavor, all faculty are invited to join us for an interactive session with Carol Severino, director of the Writing Center, who will share her secrets of successful scholarly writing.

NSF Broader Impacts Fair
Wednesday, April 23, Noon – 2 p.m., UCC
The OVPR’s Research Development Office is hosting a Broader Impacts Fair on April 23, Noon-2pm in UCC. The goal of the fair is to provide a unique opportunity to connect researchers with campus resources and foster partnerships that are essential for developing and delivering impactful NSF Broader Impacts activities. 

Connecting K-12 and Higher Education Conference
April 25-26, Kirkwood Regional Center at the University of Iowa
This free conference brings together stakeholders from the K-12 and the higher education levels to share ideas, questions, challenges, initiatives, research, and suggestions about effective learning and teaching practices. Faculty, administrators, staff, graduate students, and others whose roles relate to teaching are invited to indicate their interest in the conference. 

Wide Lens: Listening
Thursday, May 8, 5:30 p.m., Voxman Music Building Herald Stark Opera Studio
This Wide Lens event brings together researchers from science, social sciences, the humanities, and the arts to investigate what it means to listen deeply and thoughtfully. The event is free and open to all.

Course Design Institute: May 19 -23
The Center for Teaching’s Course Design Institute provides instructors with dedicated time, structure, and collaboration opportunities that enable them to take a fresh approach to course design. Applications for this in-person, multi-day workshop are due by April 4. 

FOR FACULTY AND STAFF

Register today: Discover Your University sets spring dates, activities
Discover Your University's spring lineup has something for everyone whether you want to spend time outdoors or visit a department on campus that you'd like to learn more about. Faculty and staff are encouraged to participate and explore the places and programs that make Iowa unique. Register now to reserve your spot during the three dates: April 23, May 20, and June 18.

BinGO HAWKS healthy habits program
BinGO HAWKS is a five-week program running through April 27 that encourages faculty and staff to practice healthy habits. The program also offers lunchtime activities, offering brief opportunities to explore various health-related topics.

UI Employee Assistance Program
The UI Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is available for employees and their family members. EAP provides confidential and short-term counseling. It also offers consultations for supervisors, and referral information to community resources.

UI Support and Crisis Line
The UI Support and Crisis Line is available to faculty, staff, postdocs, and students to provide free and confidential support to individuals in distress. The phone line can also provide crisis resources, connect individuals to an in-person response, and initiate transportation as needed. The 24-hour mental health line can be reached via phone or text at 844-461-5420 or online chat.

 

FOR STUDENTS

Hawkeye Experience Grants
Applications are now open for Hawkeye Experience Grants for 2025. These grants help undergraduate students fund summer applied learning experiences, such as internships, research or creative scholarship, community engagement, or short-term field work. The deadline to apply is April 4.

Targeted study plans for exams
Learning at Iowa offers “exam wrappers” to help students reflect on their study strategies and performance on an exam, allowing them to plan how to best prepare for their next exam. 

Commencement RSVPs close on April 13
The RSVP for spring 2025 commencement ceremonies closes on April 13. Only students who RSVP as "I plan to participate" and attend their ceremony will have their names read and displayed during the ceremony broadcast. The RSVP portal is located in MyUI within the Degrees/Graduation tile by clicking on commencement attendance. 

Events

Technology and Innovation Career Trek: Madison
April 3 - 4
Undergraduate students interested in technology and innovation careers are invited to join the Pomerantz Career Center’s Technology and Innovation Trek to Madison, Wisconsin. More information and registration is available on Handshake. 

Fulbright Week
April 7 - 11
UI undergraduate and graduate students are invited to participate in a week of virtual workshops and information sessions to kick off the 2026-2027 Fulbright U.S. Student Program competition. The 12th Annual Fulbright Week will take place April 7 - 11, 2025. Each session will provide different information and have a Q&A period. Sessions will be held via Zoom and pre-registration is required. 

Industry Insights: Environment & Sustainability
Tuesday, April 29, 2 – 3 p.m., via Zoom
This webinar is open to faculty, staff, and students who want to hear from a panel of professionals in environment and sustainability related careers.

For Graduate and Professional Students

Graduate Student Writing Group Session and Social
Tuesday, April 8, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m., 111 Church Street
This writing group session facilitated by two grad ambassadors will offer community and accountability to Iowa's graduate and professional students working on any kind of academic writing project (academic articles/essays, fellowship or grant applications, dissertations, book projects, etc.). Register online.

Writing for The Conversation: Informational Lunch
Friday, April 11, noon – 1:30 p.m., 111 Church Street
Join the Office of the Vice President for Research, the Obermann Center for Advanced Studies, and the Graduate College for lunch and an introduction to pitching your research to The Conversation US with Kristy Nabhan-Warren, Associate Vice President for Research. The Conversation is an independent news organization dedicated to unlocking the knowledge of academic experts for the public good. RSVP online.

Virtual Career Fair: Rural Health in Iowa
Wednesday, April 16, 1 – 4 p.m.
The Rural Health in Iowa virtual career fair is for professional health students seeking full time positions. 

2025-26 Graduate Teaching Fellows
The Graduate Teaching Fellows program is a year-long paid opportunity that allows participants to develop their teaching skills in a cross-disciplinary learning community led by Center for Teaching staff. In collaboration with the Graduate College, the Center for Teaching will offer six fellowship positions for the 2025-26 academic year. Applications for the 2025-2026 cohort are due by Monday, April 21, 2025. 

NTAO Graduate Student Facilitators
The Center for Teaching is hiring graduate students with at least two semesters of UI teaching experience to facilitate workshop sessions at New TA Orientation (NTAO) on Aug. 21, 2025. Applications are due Monday, May 12.

Grant and Fellowship Writing Seminar 
The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, the Graduate College, and International Programs are sponsoring a Grant and Fellowship Writing Seminar for PhD, MFA, and DMA students in the humanities, arts, and the social sciences May 21 - June 3, 2025. PhD students in the natural and mathematical sciences who are pursuing the Fulbright or grants for humanistic research also are invited to apply. The seminar will meet for two hours most afternoons, and participants can expect to spend time outside the seminar working on grant materials.