Almost 200 alumni, faculty, staff, students, and community partners attended the 2021 College of Education Homecoming Celebration, enjoying the tunes of the Silver Swing Band, along with food, fun, and good company.

More than 1,600 educators from across the state of Iowa attended the inaugural twoday event, which provided attendees with valuable information, resources, and practical solutions around socialemotional- behavioral health.

The second phase of the college’s major renovation in North Lindquist was completed, resulting in a more collaborative, contemporary, student-centric environment, featuring new cutting-edge TILE classrooms, student study spaces, an integrated student services area, and office of the dean. The second phase also features the new Devlin Family Café.

For the first time since the pandemic, a group of 14 students studied abroad as part of the Spring Break Study Abroad Program, through the college’s Global Education Initiatives. Faculty led students on a study tour and participants worked with Costa Rican students in the Centro Educativo Costa Bellena school, a bilingual English/Spanish school located on the Southern Pacific coast of Costa Rica. The course focused on sustainability studies, education, and the nation’s ecosystems.

Five UI REACH students and director Bill Loyd attended the Disability Policy Seminar in Washington, D.C. March 27-30. Students learned of legislation that impacts persons with disabilities and shared their stories on how the legislation impacted their lives personally.

More than 100 middle school students and teachers from across Eastern Iowa participated in the 2022 International Day Human Rights Conference, co-sponsored by the College of Education, UI International Programs, and the Stanley Center for Peace and Security. Meskwaki Settlement School students shared their dance styles with participants as one of many interactive activities during the day, The day included a keynote speaker, two rounds of breakout sessions, and an afternoon activity facilitated by the UI Students for Human Rights Club.

The College of Education was honored to host the spring 2022 Design Dash, a startup event engaging high school students and educators in an entrepreneurial excursion, collaborating with Iowa EdTech Collaborative and the Jacobson Institute.

The college hosted its first Celebrating Educators of Color event, co-planned with the Iowa City Community School District. The event celebrated BIPOC educators who are excellent mentors. The Baker Teacher Leader Center also hosted numerous groups of high school students as part of the Dream to Teach initiative to inspire future educators.

Cecelia Rose LaPointe, owner and founder of Waub Ajijaak Press and Red Circle Consulting and founder and executive director of the Native Justice Coalition, led a skills building workshop series on courageous leadership with an emphasis on Indigenous Identities and Cultures and their intersection with the college’s antiracism efforts through the Baker Teacher Leader Center as part of the college’s Anti-Racism Collaborative.

LaPointe is Ojibway/Métis who is a part of Kchiwiikwedong (Keweenaw Bay Indian Community) and is ajijaak (crane) clan. They identify as androgynous, gender non-conforming, and Two-Spirit.

The College of Education and UI Libraries joined forces to host a dual celebration: the College of Education Renovation Open House and a historical display in the Main Library Gallery, featuring the College of Education and Lindquist legacy over 175 years. Several hundred students, faculty, staff, and community partners attended.

137 Teacher Education Program & ESHR students participated in the spring 2022 commencement held in Hancher Auditorium.

1,600 pre-K through high school students spent the summer exploring the outdoors and learning about wildlife, conservation, and ecology across Iowa.