News

Headshot of Samanth Zuhlke

Zuhlke receives ARNOVA award for Dissertation

Wednesday, November 15, 2023
Professor Samantha Zuhlke has received the Gabriel G. Rudney Memorial Award for an Outstanding Dissertation in Nonprofit and Voluntary Action Research for her dissertation, “A Political Theory of Nonprofits: Partisanship Policy and the Rise of the Nonprofit Sector.”
Jerry Anthony giving a talk to PhD students in Surat, India

Jerry Anthony Researches Urban Development Sustainability Policies In India as a Fulbright Scholar

Monday, November 13, 2023
Professor Jerry Anthony was awarded a Fulbright Scholar award to research sustainable urbanism in India during the 2022-2023 academic year. Second-year public affairs student, Stephanie Gutierrez, recently interviewed him about his experience.
Group shot of students and faculty in Bondurant, Iowa at the IISC 2023-2024 partnership kickoff.

Students to Assist Bondurant through Iowa Initiative for Sustainable Communities

Thursday, September 21, 2023
Over the next year, the growing city of Bondurant will benefit from the assistance of graduate students in the University of Iowa's School of Planning and Public Affairs through the Iowa Initiative for Sustainable Communities (IISC). Students recently visited this expanding city within the Des Moines metropolitan area to kick off the partnership
Group shot of students, faculty and others involved in the IISC Dubuque community engagement projects in the 2023-2024 academic year.

University of Iowa’s Initiative for Sustainable Communities (IISC) kicks off Dubuque Projects

Thursday, September 21, 2023
Dubuque is one of two project partners for Iowa’s Initiative for Sustainable Communities (IISC) 2023-24 academic year projects. During their recent kick off event, students met with the mayor, the city's housing director, toured the city, and were treated to lunch at a unique nonprofit restaurant.
Haifeng Qian

Haifeng Qian Named New School Director

Tuesday, August 22, 2023
Associate professor Haifeng Qian has been appointed as Director of the School of Planning and Public Affairs (SPPA), effective immediately.
Group photo of first-year students, taken in the drafting room.

Meet the New Students

Monday, August 21, 2023
Our new incoming students recently took a moment to follow our tradition and pose for a group picture during their orientation.
Text of, Planetizen Guide to Graduate Urban Planning Programs

UI’s Graduate Program in Urban and Regional Planning Ranked 16th in the Nation

Monday, July 24, 2023
The University of Iowa’s master’s degree program in urban and regional planning at the School of Planning and Public Affairs (SPPA) is ranked 16th in the nation, according to the Planetizen Guide to Graduate Urban Planning Programs 2023 report.
NASPAA's website image representing the wildfire simulation

MPA Students Participate in NASPAA's Policy Simulation Competition

Friday, June 9, 2023
Two SPPA public affairs students were selected by the Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration (NASPAA) to take part in the annual policy simulation competition. The event took place at 13 US and international university sites as well as a virtual option.
Headshot of Frank Waisath

Planning Alum Contributing to 50-year Water Plan for Seattle

Thursday, June 1, 2023
SPPA alum, Frank Waisath, works for Seattle Public Utilities as a Planning & Development Specialist II. He is working on a 50-year plan titled "Shape Our Water: A 50-year Plan for Seattle’s Water Resilience."
Maggie Schnurr and Payton Colbert discuss their research with state legislator.

Students Share Policy Research with Legislators

Friday, May 12, 2023
Representatives from the Graduate College recent shared information with legislators at Hawkeye Caucus Day in Des Moines about the important work our programs and students are doing in the state of Iowa.