Student Affairs News

On Veterans Day, former Army pilot forges ahead with support from ISU Military-Affiliated Student Center

November 11, 2022

Bobby Gipe had reached a crossroads and suddenly needed to make a decision that would change the trajectory of his life. The U.S. Army aviator with a decade of experience had planned to become a commercial airline pilot after leaving the military, but a medication he’d been prescribed for a medical condition grounded him indefinitely. Suddenly, he was looking for a new career path outside of the military and aviation.


Gold Star Hall Ceremony to honor five fallen heroes who attended Iowa State

October 31, 2022

Iowa State University will honor five fallen veterans who served during World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War during the 2022 Gold Star Hall Ceremony on Nov. 7. The annual Gold Star Hall ceremony recognizes former ISU students who lost their lives serving their country in wartime. Former students’ names are engraved on the Gold Star Hall walls if they attended Iowa State full-time for one or more academic terms and died while in military service.


Green Dot in the classroom

October 26, 2022

Green Dot, a program aimed at preventing power-based personal violence, is on the rise at Iowa State as community members spread the message through a variety of campus-related interactions and activities. According to their website, a green dot is any choice, behavior, word or attitude that promotes safety for everyone and communicates utter intolerance for power-based personal violence.


Student Accessibility Services accommodating neurodivergence

October 24, 2022

Iowa State’s Student Accessibility Services offers students a variety of accommodations to help even out the load of a college education. Academic accommodations go beyond physical impairments, including a variety of services to help people cope with issues ranging from neurological function to emotional distress.


Memorial Union opens up new floors for various organizations

October 9, 2022

The Memorial Union renovation, which took a year and three months to complete, was finally open to the public Sept. 23. The cost of the renovation was about $10 million. The offices and organizations that moved include: International Students and Scholars Office(ISSO), The Center for LGBTQIA+ Student Success, New Student Programs, Military-Affiliated Student Center, Student Legal Services, ISU Lectures, and NCORE-ISCORE


Neurodiversity awareness grows across campus

October 6, 2022

The differences between how two individuals' brains function and process information is called neurodiversity. The brain may develop or work differently -- which is normal -- in sociability, learning, attention, mood and other mental functions. Neurodiversity includes autism, ADHD and learning disabilities.


Dietary restrictions answered by Special Diet Kitchen

October 4, 2022

After registering through the ISU Dining website, the Special Diet Kitchen is able to meet the needs of students requiring specific dietary accommodations. Although the 26 dining centers, cafes and markets found across campus serve some allergy-friendly food options, the Special Diet Kitchen takes extra precautions to ensure the prevention of cross-contact between ingredients.


Housing Fair to showcase apartment options

September 26, 2022

To provide an opportunity for students to connect with property managers, rental properties, internet providers and other amenities around the Ames area, Iowa State will host a housing fair.


Thielen Health Center fulfills Story County’s need for monkeypox vaccines

September 20, 2022

The Thielen Student Health Center has been identified as the only monkeypox virus (MPV) vaccine provider for the Story County community. Thielen initiated a soft roll-out of MPV vaccines Sept. 1 and released an official announcement to the Iowa State community Sept. 12.


More student service units move to Hixson-Lied

September 15, 2022

Effective Sept. 1, the Academic Success Center (ASC) acquired all services previously offered in the Writing and Media Center (WMC). ASC student services and resources will remain the same, adding consultations and support for oral, written and visual communication.


Conversations dining hall transformed into Get & Go

September 14, 2022

ISU Dining added the Conversations dining center to the Get & Go dining system when the university opened its doors for the fall semester. In previous years, Conversations was one of four of Iowa State’s sit-down dining centers. In May 2022, a decision was made to convert Conversations into a Get & Go center.


Military-Affiliated Student Center to host weekly community dinner

September 12, 2022

The Military-Affiliated Student Center, located on the fifth floor of Memorial Union, is hosting its fourth weekly community dinner for military-affiliated students. The dinners encourage students and members of the military-affiliated community at Iowa State to gather together as a larger community once a week.


Getting to know Green Dot

September 6, 2022

People see green dots on the sides of ISU police cars, in various places around campus and some people have them at the bottom of their email signatures, but what do they actually mean? Green Dot is a bystander education program for the prevention of and proactive response to power-based personal violence, which includes stalking, dating violence and sexual assault.


Hixson-Lied: One-stop shop for Student Success

September 6, 2022

Iowa State’s Academic Success Center includes a variety of services for students, all under one roof, the Hixson-Lied Student Success Center. The university recently consolidated several of its academic services to the Hixson-Lied Student Success Center. Putting the services together under one roof allows students to have one convenient location to access the variety of services.


Students explore more than 300 clubs at ClubFest

August 31, 2022

More than 300 student clubs and organizations participated in Iowa State’s bi-annual ClubFest Wednesday afternoon. Hit songs from High School Musical and Lady Gaga streamed out of the Memorial Union’s outdoor speakers while students wandered through the colorful displays crammed throughout the Great Hall, Campanile Room and outdoor terrace.


CyBowl undergoes current and future upgrades to food and decor

August 30, 2022

CyBowl & Billiards introduced an Underground Cafe and Wii console to its services over the summer. Nichole Woods, entertainment operations specialist at the Memorial Union, joined CyBowl’s management in the spring of 2022. She sparked a series of updates and ideas, starting with an expanded food menu.


Union Drive Marketplace receives summer makeover

August 23, 2022

The Union Drive Marketplace (UDM) unveiled its latest renovation from the summer when it opened its doors for the year Aug. 16. The recently finished renovations did not include many structural changes and instead focused on cosmetic features.


Two ISU TRIO Students Selected for Leadership Congress

May 10, 2022

Two students participating in Iowa State's pre-college program will attend the Georgetown University Campus this June for a six-day intensive leadership conference.


Allies and role models are crucial for students in recovery

February 10, 2022

Acknowledging an addiction to alcohol or drugs isn't easy. Even as mental health treatment becomes more normalized, substance use disorder largely carries the same traditional stigma.


Central Campus Plaza Opens This Weekend

March 31, 2022

By this weekend, the construction fence will come down around the National Pan-Hellenic Council plaza on the Memorial Union (MU) north lawn and the site can be used as intended -- a gathering place and event space for students.


New program taps into student-to-student connection

November 18, 2021

When students have a problem they typically turn to other students first for help. That is the idea behind the new student wellness program, Thrive@ISU. It is a confidential program that helps students identify well-being issues they're struggling with, through conversation with a trained graduate student, and then develop an action plan for improvement.


Iowa State Gold Star Ceremony honors three former students

November 8, 2021

Three fallen Iowa State students were honored at the Gold Star ceremony held in the Great Hall at the Memorial Union on Tuesday afternoon. The students honored included Robert Abram Berwick, William Conrad Ostlund and Don T. Griswald, Jr. Family members of the fallen students were at the event to show their support.


ISU students can now get better sleep through campus resources

November 8, 2021

Not getting adequate sleep can be detrimental for college students’ health. College students balance many obligations. School, work and extracurriculars often take the forefront over rest for many students. This can lead to issues regarding lack of sleep.


Iowa State will honor World War II service members at Gold Star Hall ceremony

November 1, 2021

Three former Iowa State University students will be recognized for their military service, and their ultimate sacrifice, at the annual Gold Star Hall ceremony. The ceremony will take place at 3:15 p.m. Monday, Nov. 8, in the Memorial Union Great Hall. This event is open to the public. Light refreshments will be available following the ceremony.


The Multicultural Greek Council creates a welcoming space for students

October 19, 2021

The Multicultural Greek Council (MGC) strives to create a sense of community among many different diverse cultural backgrounds. As Iowa State's student population is very diverse, the founders felt that a council dedicated to bringing together members of all different identities was necessary.


On-demand fitness videos fill service need during pandemic

October 07, 2021

Originally designed to supplement the in-person experience, on-demand videos became vital for many in the ISU community when gathering indoors was not possible and people left their homes less frequently.


National Pan-Hellenic Council creates a space for African American students

September 29, 2021

The National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) is dedicated to creating a space and helping people within the African American community and beyond. The council was originally founded on May 10, 1930, by five Greek organizations that are still in the council today.


SHOP program opens new food pantry in Beyer Hall

September 26, 2021

Wednesday morning marked a special day for Iowa State’s Students Helping Our Peers (SHOP) program. Celebrating their 10th anniversary, the SHOP relished opening the doors to their newest renovated space located in Beyer Hall.


Food pantry celebrates 10 years, renovated space and food bank tie

September 16, 2021

Last August, it relocated to a west campus location three times the size of its initial pantry. This summer, it upgraded that new space and officially became a partner agency of the Food Bank of Iowa network. And last winter it completed its first decade of service to the Iowa State student body.


Campus resources help students party safely

September 13, 2021

For students who choose to drink, tailgating season can be a heightened time for unwanted alcohol-related risks. Iowa State provides plenty of resources to help students party safely and reduce unwanted consequences of drinking. 


A path for sharing inclusion good ideas, successes

December 9, 2021

The addition of college "champions" to ISCORE (Iowa State Conference on Race and Ethnicity) in 2016 spurred growth in two directions: higher faculty and staff participation in the annual March conference and a clearer path for colleges to share innovative projects, achievements and best practices -- and integrate their efforts, where appropriate


Crowdfunding site supports central campus plaza

September 2, 2021

On the northwest lawn of the Memorial Union, poured foundations await nine columns at a plaza that will promote the historically Black fraternities and sororities of the National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC). On the current timeline, the plaza should be completed by Dec. 1.


Gelato shop with a 'wow' factor opens in MU

September 2, 2021

In its first week of operation, traffic surged on Friday afternoon at Dolce Freddo, ISU Dining's newest Memorial Union eatery. That made sense to Amanda Wever, assistant manager of both Dolce Freddo and the production facility for the gelato and sorbet it serves. 


Some COVID-induced shifts in learning have staying power

September 2, 2021

Student accessibility services (SAS) assists about 2,000 students each year, providing accommodations for those with disabilities or temporary health conditions. That work was put to the test during the pandemic as SAS developed new or modified ways to help students learning in an online or hybrid environment.


The Center for LGBTQIA+ Student Success hosts fall kickoff event

August 31, 2021

“Included”- that’s what Colleen Luksetich, a junior in history education, said about how the Center for LGBTQIA+ Student Success welcome event made her feel. “Happy” is the word that Haley Roach, a sophomore in architecture, used to describe how the event made her feel. Gwen Froehlich, a freshman in bioinformatics and computational biology, said the welcome event made her feel validated.


Thrive@ISU connects students with self-help resources

August 30, 2021

Iowa State Student Wellness introduced a new program this semester to help students guide their own wellness journey. The program, called Thrive@ISU, is a confidential program for students to reflect on their wellbeing and create an action plan to enhance their success. 


Updated dining room "Night" unveiled at Union Drive Marketplace

August 29, 2021

ISU Dining recently unveiled the first of three expansive renovations at the Union Drive Marketplace dining center. Dining invested more than $2 million in the renovations at the dining center. Mohamed Ali, director of ISU Dining, said the department has plans to renovate all of Union Drive Marketplace (UDM) within the next two years.


Academic Success Center offers abundance of support to struggling students

August 25, 2021

At Iowa State University, things have mostly changed back to normal. Classes are in-person, and students are adjusting back to learning in person. As students once again return to the realm of in-person learning, they may find themselves in need of academic support, in which case the Academic Success Center (ASC) offers many resources to students in need.


Student Wellness aims to transform Iowa State’s campus culture

August 21, 2021

According to their website, the Student Wellness organization will continue to work towards their goal of creating a campus culture of wellbeing and academic success so all students can “innovate at Iowa State.”


Iowa State’s Sloss Center continues to strive for gender equity on campus

August 19, 2021

According to Andra Castle, assistant director of the Margaret Sloss Center for Women and Gender Equity, the Sloss center will continue to provide multiple resources this year focusing on the goal of creating a community that uplifts and supports all gender identities.


Door-to-door 'Good Neighbor' program welcomes Iowa State Students

August 18, 2021 

Before the Iowa State University academic year begins, ISU and City of Ames staff are visiting students living off-campus to talk about what it means to be a good neighbor. Iowa State’s Office of Student Conduct and Dean of Students Office partnered with the City of Ames’ inspection division and planning and police departments in 2019 to create the Good Neighbor campaign.


Employee memberships are a new push for Recreation Services

July 29, 2021

To help serve students better, recreation services wants to serve more faculty and staff. The importance of faculty and staff well-being, and the impact it has on students, is clearer and more urgent than ever, said recreation services director Mike Giles.


Welcome - Joseph Ballard II

July 15, 2021

Joseph Ballard II is the inaugural director of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) for the campus life unit in the student affairs division. Ballard began in the position last November, working from his Twin Cities home during the pandemic, and arrived on campus July 1.


Memorial Union Floors 4-6 Renovations

July 2021

Through the first six months of the renovations on floors 4-6, great progress has been made in revitalizing the spaces for new offices and student lounges. All demolition of the old hotel and laundry spaces has been completed, with a few interesting finds along the way!


Alliance Members exceed 10-year goal in 6 years

June 17, 2021

Six years in, the UIA schools have exceeded their goal by graduating an additional 73,573 students, increasing the number of graduates from low-income backgrounds by 36% and graduates of color by 73%. The institutions are now projected to graduate a total of 136,000 by 2023 -- double the original goal launched at the White House College Opportunity Day of Action in 2014.