The University of Iowa set new record student retention and graduation rates in 2025, reflecting its continued investment in student success, its dedicated faculty and staff, and the momentum gained through the university's strategic plan.

The Iowa Board of Regents will recognize six outstanding University of Iowa faculty members for their extraordinary contributions and sustained record of distinction in teaching, scholarship, and service. Read more about the accomplishments of the Regents Award for Faculty Excellence honorees: Mary Charlton, Polly Ferguson, Alberto Segre, Carol Severino, Fred Stern, and Nick Street.

Nine Iowa faculty members have been awarded Arts and Humanities Initiative grants from the Office of the Vice President for Research. The funds will be used to advance their creative works in film, photography, language and culture, music, and journalism. Learn more about their projects and how to apply for the current grant cycle, open until March 10.

Faculty and staff across the university were recognized in January with Hawkeye High-Fives to thank them for excellent patient care, dedicated service to students, and their commitment to Iowa. Read some of the recognition shared among colleagues.

Hancher Auditorium partnered with the UI Office of Writing and Communication to invite UI-affiliated authors to read from their works at the debut of the Stop/Time Festival, April 3–4. These events will showcase exceptional writers who are powerful performers of their own work alongside a remarkable slate of musicians. Read more about this new partnership.

You may have noticed the Copilot icon appearing in Outlook, Word, or Teams. The AI chat-based experience is commonly used for drafting, rewriting, summarizing, and brainstorming. At Iowa, you have access to two versions, Copilot Chat and Microsoft 365 Copilot, that have unique capabilities. Learn what each can do and how best to use them.

Billboard magazine named Hancher Auditorium the “Keeping It Indie” venue as part of its annual list of top live entertainment spots across the globe.

After losing his twin brother to cancer when no stem cell donor match was found, Grayson Wills committed to making a difference. The experience led him to pursue a nursing degree at Iowa, donate stem cells through the National Marrow Donor Program, and encourage others to join lifesaving donor registries.

Thanks to pharmacist and UI alum Mylo Wells, residents of rural Bloomfield, Iowa, can go straight to their local pharmacy for urgent care. Wells opened Iowa’s first pharmacist-led walk-in clinic in November 2025 after new legislation went into effect that allows pharmacists to diagnose and treat illnesses.

On Jan. 1, copyrights expired on thousands of books, artwork, and music from 1930, including the first four Nancy Drew novels, written by UI alum Mildred Wirt Benson. Now that they’re in the public domain, anyone can copy, build on, or adapt the work. Learn about other pieces on the list.

The University of Iowa has again been named a Fulbright Top Producing Institution among doctoral institutions for the U.S. Student Program. This is the 10th year Iowa has earned this prestigious honor from the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.

For Amelia Earley, Dance Marathon is more than a 24-hour event — it’s a lifeline. Influenced by her brother’s cancer diagnosis, the UI student helps ensure that families, siblings, and students find connection and community year-round. Learn more about her work and how you can support Dance Marathon 32, which takes place Feb 6–7.