Whether you’re in the office, working remotely, or even taking a much-needed day away, this month is all about “dipping your toes” in learning from thought leaders near and far.

As the university celebrates its 175th anniversary, we are charting a course that will build on our extraordinary history to lead us into an even brighter future.  We will advance excellence in our core missions, accelerate progress in areas of strategic importance, and establish the University of Iowa as a destination of first choice for talented faculty, staff, and students. 

Development of the 2022-2027 Strategic Plan will be grounded in continuous campus feedback from students, faculty, staff, and external groups.

The University of Iowa will assess its campus climate for all stakeholders every two years. For the administration of the Faculty and Staff 2020 Campus Climate Survey, a team of partners from across campus formed in fall 2019 to reshape the previous survey instrument and process. The goal of this group was to help enhance the University of Iowa community’s understanding of strengths and areas of growth related to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

In the Spring 2022 Newsletter, you will find ideas for ways you can start making healthy habits part of your regular routine. Check out tips and resources for eating healthy, and select recipes from around the globe on pages 4-8. Learn about opportunities to explore campus this spring and summer, and boost your physical and mental well-being with the Tree Tours and liveWELL Campus Wellness Scavenger Hunt.

Hello University of Iowa Students, Faculty, and Staff,
It's with much excitement to be sharing out the 15th Annual, newly renamed, LNACC in Action Celebration Week. As an effort to be more inclusive of all the identities within our space, the Latino Native American Cultural Center (LNACC) has decided to rename what is formerly known as Latinx in Action Celebration to, the new, LNACC in Action Celebration Week. We hope that we are more able to uplift and give space to our identities now and in the future.

Thanks to everyone who participated in the nomination and voting process during our recent elections. Congratulations to all our newly elected staff and faculty leaders.

Today we released the 2021 Campus Climate student reports and I encourage everyone to look at the results online. The reports show a strong sense of overall belonging at Iowa and respect of individuals on campus. It also tells us we can improve respect with select groups, increase advisor and faculty time with students, and provide additional mentorship opportunities to our undergraduate students.

The installation ceremony for the University of Iowa’s 22nd president, Barbara Wilson, will take place at 1 p.m. Friday, February 25, at Hancher Auditorium.
The event is part of the university’s 175th anniversary celebration.

Dear CLAS community,

I am delighted to share with you the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences 2021 Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Annual Report.

As you will see in the report, outstanding work is under way, and on the horizon, throughout our departments, units, classrooms, studios, and labs, where we endeavor to:

Recruit, support, and retain faculty, staff, and students of color,
Create, implement, and sustain policies and practices that advance equity for all,
Empower every individual in our college to feel included in collegiate decision-making and community-building

Developing the Leader Within You

If cultivating leadership abilities is on your list of resolutions for 2022, Professor Jennifer Nahrgang from UI’s Tippie College of Business suggests a resource that may surprise you. Rather than building those skills in a classroom or from a management text, she proposes that the best teacher may be your own experiences.

“Think about a key event that occurred in your working career,” she encourages. “One that was a really strong learning and development opportunity for you.”

Do you want to polish your leadership skills? CLAS Staff Council is a great way to do just that. Nominations open February 4, and elections are in March.