Stories of Inclusion

Across Iowa State University, individuals are working together in innovative ways to make our campus a welcoming and inclusive place. Read the stories below to learn how these efforts are making a collective difference in helping all members of the ISU community feel supported, included and valued. 

Iowa State community remembers an accomplished alumnus

February 02, 2023

About 550 admirers of alumnus George Washington Carver, joined by more than 100 online, celebrated the state's inaugural Carver Day on February 1 in the Memorial Union Great Hall. Carver, born to slaves in southwest Missouri in 1864, was Iowa State's first Black student and earned bachelor's and master's degrees from the university. Carver stayed on for a bit at Iowa State as the college's first Black faculty member, before Booker T. Washington's invitation drew him to the Tuskegee Institute in Alabama, where he would live and work until his death in 1943.

2023 Martin Luther King Jr Advancing One Community Award Winners

January 31, 2023

The Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is pleased to announce Natalia Rios Martinez, Lisa Dazzell, and Gene Manhattan as the recipients of the 2023 Martin Luther King Jr. Advancing One Community Award. The Martin Luther King Jr. Advancing One Community awards recognize efforts to enhance and cultivate an inclusive university community that embraces justice and equity. Recipients of the award have demonstrated commitment to the principles and goals of Dr. King as they engaged with our campus community and made a difference for current and future Iowa Staters.

Nicole Bartolozzi named UIA Fellow

January 24, 2023

A servant leader with a passion for student success, Nicole M. Bartolozzi has spent her career in higher education committed to making a difference. Before being named the UIA Fellow for Iowa State University, she was the assistant director for the Hixson Opportunity Awards and National Student Exchange Program at Iowa State where she facilitated workshops with campus partners and focused on leadership and curriculum development for peer mentors and first-year students.

University, city events will celebrate modern civil rights advocates

January 12, 2023

Iowa State and the Ames community will mark Martin Luther King Jr. Day with lectures, a musical tribute from the campanile's carillon and other events in the coming weeks. The city of Ames will join the Ames-Story County MLK Celebration Committee to host a hybrid celebration with in-person and online options on Monday, Jan. 16 (6:30 p.m., Ames City Auditorium). There are no classes and most university offices are closed Jan. 16 to mark the holiday. Carillonneur and professor of music Tin-Shi Tam will play hymns, spirituals and music inspired by King on Wednesday, Jan. 18 (11:50 a.m.). Iowa State’s annual MLK Jr. Legacy Series lecture, "Tearing Hate from the Sky," takes place on Jan. 30 (6 p.m., MU Great Hall).

2023 Women Impacting ISU calendar reception to be held on Jan. 24

January 09, 2023

The twelve women featured on the 2023 Women Impacting ISU calendar will be recognized at the calendar unveiling event on Jan. 24. The 2023 calendar will be officially unveiled during a reception from 3:30 to 5 p.m. in the Great Hall of the Memorial Union. The program will begin at 4 p.m. and will be livestreamed. After the program, copies of the calendar will be distributed for free. The event is free and open to the public. The Catt Center sponsors the calendar with funding provided by the Office of the Vice President for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.

Principles of Community banners updated on Morrill Road

January 05, 2023

Iowa State's Principles of Community banners, which occupy eight Morrill Road light poles between the Memorial Union and Beardshear Hall, have been updated. The office of diversity, equity and inclusion collaborated with university marketing and Des Moines branding and design firm PUSH to reimagine the banners during the fall semester. The new banners still feature a simple and modern design and updated photos representing each of the six principles: respect, purpose, cooperation, richness of diversity, freedom from discrimination, and honest and respectful expression of ideas.

Feb. 1 is George Washington Carver Day in Iowa

January 01, 2023

The state of Iowa has designated Feb. 1 of each year as George Washington Carver Day, beginning in 2023. Carver’s story is one of extraordinary resiliency. Born into slavery in Missouri around 1864, he sought higher education in Iowa, at Simpson College and Iowa State University. He was Iowa State’s first Black student, earning bachelor’s and master’s degrees. After graduation, he became Iowa State’s first Black faculty member. On George Washington Carver Day in Iowa, Carver’s life and legacy live on as a potent symbol of courage, perseverance and an unquenchable thirst for knowledge. Find out more about a special program - free and open to the public - that will be held Feb. 1, 2023, at Iowa State University in honor of the first George Washington Carver Day in Iowa.

Meet the ISU Institutional DEI Team

November 07, 2022

Thiago Nogueira, Carly Hanson, and Rose McCarty joined the office of institutional diversity, equity and inclusion following Sharon Perry Fantini's appointment to the role of vice president for institutional diversity, equity and inclusion in January 2022. Nogueira, Hanson, and McCarty joined nicci port in new roles as the strategic direction of the office evolved to enhance alignment with Iowa State's Strategic Plan and the administration's vision for diversity, equity and inclusion at ISU.

Green Dot training is just the beginning

October 20, 2022

Green Dot training is useful for faculty, staff and students across campus to learn about and show intolerance for power-based personal violence. But what comes after the training? That is where October's Green Dot Action Month takes the baton to ensure ideas taught during training are reinforced throughout the year, even years after the initial training. It focuses on proactive efforts to prevent violence and includes wearing green clothing and posting messages on social media.

Workday update lets employees share their pronouns

September 01, 2022

An update in Workday is aimed at making the employee experience more inclusive. As of September 1, 2022, employees can choose from an expanded list of individual pronouns and also choose whether to share their pronouns publicly with the ISU community on their worker profile. "Cultivating an inclusive environment is a key component of Iowa State's strategic plan, and using the correct pronouns is a sign of respect and care for your colleagues and students," said Sharon Perry Fantini, vice president for diversity, equity and inclusion.

Public mural pays homage to current and historical music scene of Des Moines’ Dogtown district

August 29, 2022

Artist Jordan Brooks, the director of equity, inclusion and multicultural student success in the Iowa State University College of Design and owner of KNWSLF Art, recently completed his first permanent outdoor public mural in the Dogtown Business and Entertainment District of Des Moines. Brooks painted the mural, titled “Heart.Want You Too,” on the side of Lefty’s Live Music at 23rd Street and University Avenue.