Promise and Progress: Building a stronger state together

Today and every day, it’s abundantly clear that the University of Iowa is a tremendous resource for the nation, the world, and especially the state of Iowa. Right now, UI-trained dentists are seeing patients in Dickinson County, and our own Iowa Flood Center gauges are monitoring stream conditions in Davenport.

Jean Robillard, M.D.

Here in Iowa City, an engineering student from Fayette County is headed to class and a family from Des Moines is seeing UI Children’s Hospital specialists. Meanwhile, high school seniors from all over Iowa are touring our campus and imagining their futures here.

A new website—outreach.uiowa.edu—from the Provost’s Office of Outreach and Engagement shows just how deeply our university is woven into Iowa’s social, economic, and cultural fabric. The site profiles partnerships with Iowa communities, offers county-by-county listings of community connections, and showcases upcoming events. Examples from all corners of the state demonstrate how UI expertise in education, arts, research, health care, business, and other programs has an impact on Iowans.

Additionally, more than 89,000 UI alumni live across Iowa, and today’s UI students come from every Iowa county. These current and future hometown Hawkeyes greatly enrich and enliven their communities.

The extent of these connections has drawn national attention, resulting in UI receiving a 2015 Community Engagement Classification from the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. This is the highest recognition of its kind in higher education.

Iowa communities seeking to solve problems, address needs, and shape their futures find a partner in the University of Iowa. Together, we’re building a stronger state and a strongly connected university.

Jean Robillard, M.D.
Interim President
Vice President for Medical Affairs