Inclusion Stories | Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Using data to drive retention, graduation

June 09, 2022

Reducing the equity gaps for retention and degree completion among underrepresented students and meeting the needs of "new majority" learners are among the recommendations following ISU's participation in a national Learner Success Laboratory.

Wells named equal opportunity director

April 21, 2022

Carl Wells comes to Iowa State with more than 20 years of experience in roles focused on equal opportunity, civil rights, affirmative action, Title IX, diversity and inclusion at the University of South Carolina.

Community celebrates central campus plaza

April 07, 2022

The new National Pan-Hellenic Council Plaza on the northwest lawn of the Memorial Union honors the nine historically Black fraternities and sororities, eight of which have chapters at Iowa State.

DEI leadership takes root at college level

April 07, 2022

Creating a welcoming community is everyone's job on campus, but for a growing number of college leaders, it's the focus of their role. Inside caught up with the five women who serve as an associate or assistant dean for DEI -- three appointed last summer -- to talk about their work.

Extension looking for diversity ambassadors

January 13, 2022

Extension staff, faculty, council members and administrators are being recruited for roles as diversity ambassadors. They will be front-line representatives to ensure extension is meaningfully accessible to the widest range of Iowans.

ISCORE Champions: A path for sharing inclusion good ideas, successes

December 09, 2021

ISCORE champions offer a path for colleges to share innovative projects, achievements and best practices -- and integrate their efforts, where appropriate.

Directors of multicultural student success: Teamwork across the university

November 18, 2021

The growing workload in the position previously called a multicultural liaison officer focuses on college-based student support. But directors of multicultural student success also contribute to diversity, equity and inclusion efforts throughout campus.

The library's quest to fill gaps and perspectives in Iowa State's history

November 05, 2021

Through initiatives such as Tracing Race at Iowa State and collection expansion efforts, the library seeks to uncover a nuanced account of the university's history -- one that includes the experiences and voices of Cyclones of color.

A consistent service for employee sign language requests

October 07, 2021

A new vendor is handling all requests for sign language interpretation for ISU employees, providing a reliable process for accommodating faculty and staff who are deaf or hard of hearing.

Diversity, equity and inclusion for campus life

July 15, 2021

Joseph Ballard II is the inaugural director of diversity, equity and inclusion for the campus life unit in the student affairs division. Ballard said the big-picture goal is create an environment "where all staff and students, regardless of their identities, feel safe, valued, appreciated, heard and respected and that they have a voice within campus life."

What we gained from 15 years of ADVANCE

July 15, 2021

Following an initial five-year NSF grant (2006-11) for a transformational program called ADVANCE, Iowa State found university funds to keep the program in house. Under the direction of Tera Jordan, the university has made a long-term commitment to changing the faculty culture, developing programs that establish flexibility and promoting transparency and clear expectations helpful to faculty as they progress through their careers.

Proposed policy on digital accessibility is open for comments

July 14, 2021

Comments are being accepted through Aug. 31 on a draft policy on digital accessibility that calls for regular reviewing and repairing existing materials, widespread training and -- by 2026 -- a requirement that all new digital content meet digital accessibility standards.

Where the Principles of Community came from

July 01, 2021

Sixteen years ago, an Iowa State graduate student knew exactly how he'd like the campus to respond to a hateful graffiti attack. The Principles of Community he envisioned and helped develop eventually became ubiquitous on the ISU campus.

University Innovation Alliance exceeds targets to help more students graduate

June 17, 2021

As a founding member of the University Innovation Alliance, Iowa State University is part of the national consortium to improve student success. The UIA has exceeded graduation targets set during former President Obama’s College Opportunity Summit. Iowa State graduated an additional 9,014 students – a 37% increase overall, and a 169% increase in underrepresented students.

'We know what we need': SISTER connects women of color

June 03, 2021

SISTER is a group of more than 80 faculty and staff who identify as women of color who gather monthly over the lunch hour to connect and share stories, a too-rare prospect for affirmation and support on a mostly white campus.

Crowdfunding effort honors minority student advocate George Jackson

June 03, 2021

A memorial fund established after his death in 2016 expanded in scope this spring to support three purposes: undergraduate scholarship for a first-year, first-time African American student, programming at the Black Cultural Center and a fund from which to draw emergency grants to help underrepresented students remain in school.

ISU breaks ground on plaza to honor historically Black fraternities and sororities

May 22, 2021

For nearly 100 years, historically Black fraternities and sororities have been contributing to the Iowa State student experience – providing community and connection for Black students to build leadership experience, academic achievement, and a spirit of service. ISU’s National Pan-Hellenic Council Plaza will provide a permanent and prominent presence to share the stories of the Divine Nine.

Behnken named first LAS associate dean for diversity, equity and inclusion

May 07, 2021

"I have a multitiered vision for this position," Behnken said. "My plan is to start by assessing all departments and units in the college to identify where they are on their DEI goals. I will then shift to finding ways to collaborate and build on each other's work. Finally, I'll look to fill gaps in the college's DEI efforts to ensure we are able to produce long-term measurable, sustainable success."

Graduating senior pursued passion for marine biology at landlocked Iowa State

May 03, 2021

Toni Sleugh participated in the Academic Program for Excellence (APEX) program. "I feel like that was the start of a lot of my success at Iowa State," she said. "My experience as a Black woman in STEM is that there’s not always as much diversity as there should be."

Second year of inclusive classroom training focuses on belonging

April 29, 2021

Sense of belonging is very closely tied to recruitment and retention. If a student feels like they belong on campus and in a classroom, they will be more motivated to try to do well and persist through graduation.

College of Engineering appoints first associate dean for equity and engagement

April 27, 2021

Connie Hargrave is the first associate dean for equity and engagement in the College of Engineering. "I am excited to connect with engineering students and work with dynamic and committed faculty and staff to significantly expand the impact of the College of Engineering's diversity, equity and inclusion efforts," Hargrave said.

Intensive intervention program helps 'at-promise' CALS students

April 22, 2021

For the past two years, a reprieve from academic dismissal due to extenuating circumstances has come with placement in SMART Steps, a holistic intervention designed to identify and remove barriers impacting students' academic performance. It's made a world of difference.

Taking a team-based approach to anti-racism work

April 01, 2021

Using NCORE-ISCORE's professional development framework, Women in Science and Engineering created an officewide anti-racism plan. Teams looking for other ways to approach taking anti-racism action also might consider a new offering from NCORE-ISCORE called "Expert of My Experience."

New effort supports fostered and homeless students

March 25, 2021

The university-wide program will tap existing student support services, provide a community structure for undergraduate and graduate members and appeal to staff and faculty benevolence.

Campus police chiefs lead the way for innovative law enforcement reform

March 16, 2021

At a time when so many Americans have lost faith in law enforcement, college campus police departments are uniquely suited to bring about change and innovation in policing, says Michael Newton, PhD, chief of police and associate vice president of public safety at Iowa State University

Grassroots effort becomes ‘bedrock’ of Iowa State experience

February 22, 2021

Twenty-five years after learning communities began at Iowa State University, they are now a thriving and integral part of the first-year student experience. And for the nearly 93,000 students who have joined a learning community during that time, the relationships and connections made often extend beyond their college years.

Five awards recognize efforts toward inclusivity

February 11, 2021

The university's Martin Luther King Jr. Advancing One Community awards recognize individuals and campus organizations that demonstrate a commitment to fostering inclusive environments and promoting justice and equity at Iowa State -- in short, living the principles of King.

Innovation workshops boost recruiting efforts

January 04, 2021

Two online competitions the admissions office held last month in partnership with the Innovate at Iowa State program aimed to cut through the detached drudgery of virtual recruiting fairs, giving prospective international students a taste of the ISU experience.

A champion for inclusivity in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences

December 23, 2020

As chair of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee, Awoke Dollisso is working to cultivate a welcoming and inclusive environment on campus.

Campus groups invited to use land acknowledgement statement

October 15, 2020

The statement recognizes the history of the land on which Iowa State University sits and acknowledges the contributions of native people who lived on and cared for it previously.

APEX-E still gives incoming students opportunity to connect through virtual programs

August 31, 2020

APEX-E, or Academic Program for Excellence in Engineering is an eight-week program designed to help incoming multicultural freshmen, like Paiton Pumroy, kickstart their engineering education with workshops to help acclimate them not only with Iowa State, but engineering at Iowa State as well.

Academic program prepares freshmen for success

August 27, 2020

Exploring resources, networks, the Iowa State University community and the agricultural industry is what students in the Academic Program for EXcellence (APEX) do the summer before their first year on campus.

ISU Police hope to lead by example in community policing efforts

July 01, 2020

The Iowa State University Police Department wants to serve as an example for other law enforcement agencies to see how acknowledging and working to change problems within the profession can turn into positive change in their communities. The department’s Engagement and Inclusion Officer Team is being recognized for its work in this area.

Stories of Inclusion