Professor Bonnie Sunstein, who influenced countless writers, teachers, and scholars over the course of her 57-year career in higher education, retired at the end of the 2025-2026 academic year.

Sunstein joined the University of Iowa in 1992 where she held dual appointments with the College of Education’s English Education program as well as the Department of English in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS).

“Bonnie loved the written word and passed this love on to her students and colleagues. She was a bridge between College of Education and Liberal Arts and Sciences. She has established a lasting impact on our college,” says College of Education Dean Emeritus and former Belin-Blank Center Director Nicholas Colangelo.

At the UI, Sunstein, a 2019 CLAS Outstanding Outreach and Public Engagement Award winner, established several writing events and initiatives, including the “Collaborative Writing Consultancy,” a writing center for graduate students in the College of Education.   

Throughout her career, she also led writing and teaching institutes across America, Canada, and around the world.  

“Bonnie is an internationally recognized scholar who has impacted English Education, writing, and the teaching and research on writing in foundational and pivotal ways,” says Lia Plakans, former Teaching and Learning department chair and professor of Multilingual Education. “We have been lucky to have someone with the commitment and courage to break down disciplinary barriers and create new spaces for scholars and students in her field.”