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Colin Gordon named 2026 UI Distinguished Chair

Wednesday, March 4, 2026

The University of Iowa has named Colin Gordon the recipient of the 2026 UI Distinguished Chair, honoring his remarkable scholarship, teaching, and service. Gordon, a leading historian of American public policy and political economy, joins a select group of UI faculty who have made a significant impact in their fields and at the university.

Paths cutting through the Pentacrest, leading to the Old Capitol building on a spring day. The sky is a vibrant blue with puffy, fair weather clouds.

4 faculty receive Iowa Mid-Career Faculty Scholar Awards

Wednesday, March 4, 2026

Office of Strategic Communication

Four Iowa faculty members — Casey DeRoo, Donika Kelly, Greg LeFevre, and Mary Weber — have been selected as recipients of the Iowa Mid-Career Faculty Scholar Awards for 2026. The award provides funding to tenured associate professors who have a national or international reputation in their disciplines and are exceptional teachers.

Fatima Toor, a woman with short black hair in a bob style, black glasses, a red shirt and a UI jacket. She's standing against a mirrored building and you can see her reflection behind her.

Fatima Toor named Senior Member of National Academy of Inventors

Wednesday, March 4, 2026

College of Engineering

Fatima Toor, professor of electrical and computer engineering and Lowell G. Battershell Chair in Laser Engineering, has been named a 2026 Senior Member of the National Academy of Inventors. The honor highlights emerging academic inventors who have demonstrated success in patents, licensing, commercialization, and research that positively impacts society.

A yellow and white hand with three yellow circles hovering above it. One circle contains a dollar sign, one has a plus sign (cross), and the third has a drawing of a tooth.

New benefit: Voluntary short-term disability insurance now available

Wednesday, March 4, 2026

Human Resources

Enrollment is open through March 13 for benefits-eligible employees to opt into MetLife short-term disability insurance, which can help replace part of your income if illness or injury prevents you from working. Coverage begins April 1. Learn more about the new, voluntary benefit and how to enroll.

A white water tower that has IOWA painted on the top. The sky is a bright blue and trees frame the tower in the foreground.

UI, ENGIE bringing new water tower into service

Wednesday, March 4, 2026

Facilities Management

The University of Iowa and ENGIE, Iowa’s utility operator, are bringing a new, larger water tower into service now through March 13. The tower provides a significant increase in water storage capacity for campus and improves reliability. Here’s what you need to know about the transition.

Students walking through downtown Iowa City

New report affirms UI’s strong economic impact on state

Friday, February 27, 2026

Office of Strategic Communication

The University of Iowa continues to be a major economic driver for the state, supporting jobs, generating business activity, and contributing to Iowa’s long-term growth.

6 low-enrollment undergrad majors recommended for closure

Wednesday, February 25, 2026

Office of Strategic Communication

UI also proposing the closure of two departments within the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

A photo of the UI seal on a manhole cover on the Pentacrest

Investing in faculty success

Wednesday, February 25, 2026

Office of the Provost

The University of Iowa’s commitment to supporting faculty at every stage of their careers continues to strengthen retention across campus. In FY2025, the university's faculty retention rate remained at 96.3%.

A upward looking view of the Old Capitol building under a bright blue winter sky with snow-covered tree branches framing the left side of the picture.

4 faculty members recognized with UI’s highest teaching honor

Wednesday, February 25, 2026

Office of Strategic Communication

Four University of Iowa faculty members will receive the 2026 President and Provost Award for Teaching Excellence, recognizing exceptional, sustained contributions to student learning and success. This year’s recipients are Colleen Bringman, Alison K. Guernsey, Ted Neal, and Chad Tracy.

A stylized yellow easel with poster showing a white bar graph with the bars getting taller left to right.

Strategic plan update highlights reSPARC progress, campus impact

Wednesday, February 25, 2026

The spring strategic plan update shares how reSPARC teams are working to help the university use resources wisely and work more efficiently. It also highlights projects across campus that are making a difference for students, researchers, and communities.

4 faculty receive Iowa Mid-Career Faculty Scholar Awards

Wednesday, March 4, 2026

Office of Strategic Communication

Fatima Toor named Senior Member of National Academy of Inventors

Wednesday, March 4, 2026

College of Engineering

New benefit: Voluntary short-term disability insurance now available

Wednesday, March 4, 2026

Human Resources

UI, ENGIE bringing new water tower into service

Wednesday, March 4, 2026

Facilities Management

New report affirms UI’s strong economic impact on state

Friday, February 27, 2026

Office of Strategic Communication

6 low-enrollment undergrad majors recommended for closure

Wednesday, February 25, 2026

Office of Strategic Communication

Investing in faculty success

Wednesday, February 25, 2026

Office of the Provost

4 faculty members recognized with UI’s highest teaching honor

Wednesday, February 25, 2026

Office of Strategic Communication

Strategic plan update highlights reSPARC progress, campus impact

Wednesday, February 25, 2026

A stylized yellow car with two windows, representing a rental car

Fleet Services to transition vehicle rental service to Hertz

Wednesday, February 25, 2026

Parking and Transportation

More Featured Headlines

Events

An Evening with Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit

Wednesday, March 4, 2026 7:30pm

Hancher Auditorium

One of our most movingly powerful storytellers returns to Hancher to share his truths.

1stGen at Iowa Awards and Recognition Ceremony

Thursday, March 5, 2026 3:00pm to 5:00pm

Iowa Memorial Union (IMU)

All University of Iowa students, faculty, and staff are invited to join us for the 2025-26 1stGen@Iowa Awards and Recognition Ceremony on Thursday, March 5.

Iowa Mid-Career Faculty Scholar Symposium

Thursday, March 5, 2026 3:30pm to 6:00pm

Iowa Memorial Union (IMU)

Join us for the Iowa Mid-Career Faculty Scholars Symposium on Thursday, March 5 in the Iowa Theater of the Iowa Memorial Union (IMU). During the symposium, each member of the 2024-2027 cohort of scholars will give a 15-minute presentation on their area of expertise. This event is an excellent opportunity to learn about and engage with some of the most exciting work happening at the University of Iowa. The event will begin at 3:30 p.m. in the IMU's Iowa Theater, Room 166IMU. A public reception will follow in the Hubbard Commons.

News you can use

Tips for staying grounded during times of change

Change is a constant in higher education, and staying grounded supports both well-being and effectiveness. Focusing on hope — not as wishful thinking, but as a steady, intentional practice — can create clarity and forward momentum. Small, purposeful actions and strong connections help sustain energy, resilience, and confidence in what comes next.

Advice for building trust through everyday transparency

Transparency strengthens teams, reduces uncertainty, and supports well-being — especially during times of change. Prioritizing clear, honest communication can ease stress, build trust, and create space for meaningful dialogue, even when conversations are difficult.

UI experts offer advice on regaining control of our time on social media

Social media platforms are designed to keep you scrolling — but the habit can be hard to break. In this episode of "Talk of Iowa" on Iowa Public Radio, UI professors explain how social media affects your mental health and offer practical ways to set boundaries, stay present, and protect your well-being.

Tips for choosing connection over constant scrolling

Smartphones keep us connected, but they can also distance us from the people and moments right in front of us. Everyday scrolling can interrupt attention, relationships, and well-being — and small, practical changes can help create more meaningful, phone-free connection.

The science behind stress, coping, and resilience this holiday season

Office of Strategic Communication

As the holiday season ramps up, stress can feel unavoidable. University of Iowa psychological and brain sciences professor Jason Radley, a global and national expert on the neurobiology of stress, suggests some ways to help.

Are holiday specials still appointment TV?

Tim Havens, professor of communication studies and an expert in TV history and culture at the University of Iowa, offers insight to help you navigate where to find your holiday favorite, and how you can start your own viewing tradition to rejuvenate your holiday spirit.

UI relationship expert shares insight on power of a holiday greeting card

Office of Strategic Communication

Rachel McLaren, associate professor of communication studies at the University of Iowa, explains that despite today’s era of online digital communication, the tradition of sending paper holiday greetings is a gesture toward building, maintaining, or reshaping personal relationships with friends and family.

Tips for staying healthy during respiratory virus season

UI Health Care

Respiratory viruses tend to spike in fall and winter. Now is the right time to make sure you are ready when the three most common viruses (flu, COVID-19, and RSV) reach their peak. Learn about vaccines and easy ways to prevent illness.

Navigate the holidays with joy while leaving the guilt outside in the cold

Office of Strategic Communication

Kathy Mellen, a registered dietitian and professor of instruction in the Department of Health, Sport, and Human Physiology at the University of Iowa, shares practical insights on how to enjoy holiday meals, manage social pressures, and feel good during this season of celebration.

What to do with all these leaves?

Office of Strategic Communication

UI expert: Work smarter, not harder, when dealing with leaves this fall

More news

Protect yourself, your child from counterfeit car seats

Increasingly sold online, counterfeit car seats look like popular, federally-approved brands, but fail basic safety and crash-test standards. The Stead Family Children’s Hospital Child Passenger Safety team offers tips for identifying fakes and how to find and install a legitimate one.

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