University of Iowa College of Education student Lucy Blissenbach turned early imposter syndrome into award-winning undergraduate research through the college’s Honors Opportunity Program in the Belin-Blank Center.

After discovering the power of small moments in the classroom, graduating elementary education major Uriel Campos-Padilla is returning to his hometown of Marshalltown, Iowa, to inspire the next generation of students.

Professor Julie M. Koch’s new book, Foundations of Counseling Psychology: An Introduction to the Field, makes counseling psychology more accessible for undergraduate students by introducing the field’s values, settings, skills, and career pathways in approachable language.

A national collaboration between the University of Iowa and the First Responder Center for Excellence spotlights first responder mental health at the 2026 Mental Wellness Symposium, held May 31–June 3 at the Iowa Memorial Union. This four-day event will showcase the power of partnership in delivering practical, evidence-based strategies to reduce stigma, build resilience, and support those who serve on the front lines.

Kari Blomberg and Lisa Mosier Bunn have been recognized with two of the University of Iowa College of Education’s 2026 staff honors, celebrating their exceptional dedication, service, and impact across the college community.

“A Content Analysis of Professional Development in Social Justice and Diversity in Rehabilitation Counselor Education,” an article co-produced by Assistant Professor Allison Levine, recently received the American Rehabilitation Counseling Association’s 2026 Research Award.

Learn more about Patience Duepa-Kannah, Administrative Services Coordinator, and what she most enjoys about working in the College of Education's Belin-Blank Center in this Staff Spotlight series.

Recognizing staff who inspire wellness, UI's Wellness Heroe Elizabeth Holm leads by example to build a healthier campus culture.

Assistant Professor Duhita Mahatmya was recently a guest on Iowa Public Radio’s “River to River” podcast where she and other panelists discussed rural-focused research as well as collaborative efforts to improve opportunities and outcomes for rural communities.

College of Education doctoral candidate Colleen Kollasch earned the CUFA National Technology Leadership Initiative Fellowship for research evaluating online LGBTQ+ history lesson plans and whether they support strong inquiry, criticality, and meaningful use of digital tools.

Alumnus Michael Kolen, professor emeritus of Educational Measurement, has been named the recipient of the 2026 E. F. Lindquist Award — one of the field’s highest honors. Nominated by former student and industry leader Ye Tong, his impact continues to shape the future of assessment.

Cursive is still relevant. In an interview with NPR, Professor Shawn Datchuk explains why learning this skill is still impactful, even in today’s technology heavy environment.

Learn more about Misty Brents, senior academic advisor, and what she most enjoys about working in the College of Education's Office of Student Services in this Staff Spotlight series.

Nearly 50 high school students from eastern Iowa gathered at the Iowa Memorial Union for the annual Educators Rising State Conference and Competitions, co-sponsored by the University of Iowa College of Education and the Iowa State Education Association, to explore careers in teaching.

Gahyun Callie Sung, assistant professor of learning sciences and educational psychology in the University of Iowa College of Education, has received a $91,716 Roy J. Carver Charitable Trust grant to launch the Advanced Learning Traces (ALT) Lab, which will use sensor-based research to study how learning happens in real time—especially as tools like AI reshape how people learn and think.

Lisa Nakahara’s dissertation, “And We Need You Now!’: Comparative Analysis of Women’s Science Education in the U.S. and Japan During World War II,” won the 2026 Best Dissertation Award from the Comparative and International Education Society.

The Scanlan Center for School Mental Health offers eating disorder support to families and students in Iowa school districts. Taylor Ford, the center’s assistant director of clinical services and crisis response, who specializes in eating disorders, has seen a steady increase in the need for those services.

University of Iowa College of Education faculty member Ted Neal was recently named as a recipient of the 2026 President and Provost Award for Teaching Excellence.

Learn more about Bart Sonnenberg, Student Life Program Specialist, and what he most enjoys about working in the College of Education's UI REACH program in this Staff Spotlight series.

The college's new Certificate in Integrated Career, Substance Use, and Mental Health Counseling was created to provide students with the foundational knowledge needed to support individuals struggling with addiction and co-occurring mental health challenges.