CLAS community,

As we approach the end of the semester, we will celebrate another cohort of CLAS graduates in our spring commencement ceremonies, and their achievements are as wide-ranging as their areas of study.

Your role, whether in the classroom, in your research and creative work, or in the support you provide to students each day, is essential to helping our student reach this moment and walk across the commencement stage. 

We are proud to share some of the many accomplishments you have earned in this newsletter, and you can watch for even more in next month's. I hope that each of you takes the time to rest and recharge this summer and look forward to coming back to welcome our next class of students starting their journey here in CLAS.

As we look to the future, we are focused on advancing excellence in CLAS. Our next strategic planning process will begin this summer, commence in earnest in fall 2026, and we look forward to engaging you in that process.

Thank you for being a fantastic group of scholars, teachers, and colleagues. I couldn't ask for a better group of people to do this work with.

Go Hawks!

Sara Sanders, MSW, PhD
Dean
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

CLAS announcements

A male student in a Hawk t-shirt stands in the foreground of Old Capitol

CLAS investments continue to support student success at Iowa

As the University of Iowa reports record levels of student retention and graduation, CLAS continues to expand advising, curricular, and career readiness efforts that support student success.

a Hawkeye banner with a statue of Herky in the background

Employee updates

Four staff were hired in April. Please feel free to reach out to introduce yourself to new people or congratulate your colleagues on their accomplishments.

Featured Achievements

David Cunning, Ashley Howard, Kristin Marrs, Rachel McLaren, Louise Seamster, Benjamin Swanson

2026 CLAS Collegiate Teaching Awards

Six CLAS faculty members were recognized for their outstanding contributions to the classroom and community during the 2025-26 academic year.

Melinda Jean Myers, Ece Demir-Lira, Elizabeth Walker, May Guo, Benjamin Swanson, Megan Gogerty, Julie Gros-Louis

CLAS announces 2026 faculty promotion and tenure awards

The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences has announced the recipients of its prestigious awards for faculty who received a promotion to tenured associate professor and full professor, and to associate professor and full professor of instruction.
 

Spotlight CLAS

Clockwise, from top right: Chloe Schultz, Jenna Crowley, Aidan Wirtz, Sage Johnson

Meet the spring 2026 Commencement singers and speakers

Four College of Liberal Arts and Sciences students will take the stage at spring 2026 commencement ceremonies as singers and student speakers, representing the range of experiences that shape a CLAS education. From music and publishing to storytelling and reflection, each brings a distinct perspective to the moment

The University of Iowa seal on a gold medallion

CLAS faculty and staff recognized in 2026

CLAS faculty and staff across the college are being honored with university-wide recognition and awards for their impactful work. These awards reflect the breadth of teaching, research, mentorship, service, and innovation taking place across the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

Upcoming events

CLAS Dean Sara Sanders shakes hands with a graduate on state at Commencement

CLAS spring Commencement

Saturday, May 16, 2026
9:00 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
 
There will be two CLAS Commencement events: one in the morning, and another in the afternoon. Can't make it in person? Check out the livestream at 9:00 a.m. or 1:30 p.m.
 

 

An illustration of different people walking in a line: Join your colleagues for a lunchtime walk around campus.

CLAS Wellness Wednesday Walks

The second Wednesday of each month
12:15 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Meet at the west side of Old Capitol Building
 

Join your CLAS Wellness Ambassadors and colleagues for a 45-minute walk around campus every second Wednesday of the month, beginning June 10. Meet on the green space between Schaeffer Hall and MacLean Hall at 12:15 p.m. Visit the link for campus walking maps.

Facebook    Twitter-X    Instagram    YouTube    LinkedIn