Dear Alumni and Friends

At the University of Iowa College of Education, every achievement we celebrate is rooted in a simple but powerful purpose: preparing educators, counselors, leaders, scholars, and changemakers who improve lives and strengthen communities. As I reflect on the past year, I am filled with gratitude — not only for what we've accomplished together, but for the alumni, donors, partners, faculty, staff, students, and friends who continue to make our momentum possible.

This has been an outstanding year of growth and opportunity.

This past spring, we celebrated an important milestone as undergraduate enrollment surpassed 1,000 students for the first time in the college’s history. It is an exciting reflection of the growing interest in education and counseling careers and a testament to the strength of our programs and the dedication of our faculty and staff. You’ll read about one of the college’s newest graduates, Uriel Campos-Padilla who returned to his hometown of Marshalltown, Iowa, where he is working as an elementary education teacher, contributing to Iowa’s workforce.

Our relatively new undergraduate degree, the Bachelor of Arts in Counseling and Behavioral Health Services, continues to exceed expectations. Enrollment has nearly tripled in just one academic year, demonstrating the tremendous demand for professionals prepared to address behavioral health challenges in Iowa and across the nation.

We are equally excited about the launch of our Bachelor of Arts in Special Education this fall. The new program represents another significant investment in addressing Iowa's urgent need for highly qualified special education teachers while expanding opportunities for students who aspire to make a lasting difference.

Our commitment to excellence is further strengthened by the exceptional faculty who joined the college this fall, and you’ll read more about them in this edition. You’ll also learn about how our alumni, faculty, and students are integrating AI into teaching, research, and service – not as a replacement to human connection, but in ways that improve human to human interaction in many cases. 

Innovation continues to define who we are. National recognition of our online graduate programs by U.S. News & World Report underscores the quality and accessibility of our academic offerings, while the Iowa Raptor Project's appearance on Good Morning America introduced millions of viewers to one of the college's most beloved educational outreach programs. Together, these accomplishments highlight the many ways our college extends its impact far beyond our campus.

None of this progress would be possible without the extraordinary support of our alumni and friends.

As of July 26, generous donors have contributed more than $62 million toward the College of Education's $80 million goal as part of the Together Hawkeyes Campaign. These investments are creating opportunities for students, advancing groundbreaking research, supporting innovative programs, and strengthening the future of education. At the same time, our alumni have helped the university surpass its ambitious engagement goal ahead of schedule, demonstrating the enduring strength and pride of the Hawkeye community.

Throughout the year, we have also celebrated the remarkable accomplishments of our graduates. Whether receiving national and state professional honors, serving as distinguished military veterans, leading schools and districts, mentoring future educators, or returning to campus for events such as Homecoming, commencement, and Alumni Day, our alumni continue to embody the values and mission of the College of Education. Their achievements inspire today's students and remind us that the impact of an Iowa education extends across generations.

As we look ahead, I am energized by what lies before us. Together, we are expanding access to transformational educational experiences, responding to society's most pressing needs, and preparing the next generation of leaders who will make a positive difference in classrooms, communities, organizations, and lives around the world.

Thank you for being a vital part of this journey. Your partnership, generosity, and belief in our mission continue to shape the future of the College of Education. I look forward to all we will accomplish together in the year ahead.

Sincerely,

Daniel L. Clay, PhD, MBA
Dean and Professor