News

Headshot of Elizabeth Currid Halkett wearing a black sweater.

SPPA Ida Beam Distinguished Visiting Professor Elizabeth Currid-Halkett to Give Public Lecture at UI

Thursday, April 2, 2026
University of Iowa hosts Dr. Elizabeth Currid-Halkett for a public lecture on rural resilience, shared American values, and cultural divides.
Marcus Coenen and Charlie Cowell

Planning Alumni Honored for Career and Community Impact

Tuesday, March 31, 2026
Two SPPA alumni earned Des Moines’ Forty Under 40 honors, recognizing their leadership, professional achievements, and community engagement.
Jack Bryson smiling and wearing a black shirt

Public Affairs Student Jack Bryson Part of Winning Team in National Simulation

Monday, March 30, 2026
Jack Bryson, a public affairs graduate student, was part of a winning team in a NASPAA regional simulation and will advance to global competition judging.
Headshot of Dave Andersen

Planning Alumnus Dave Andersen Receives FAICP Honor

Friday, March 13, 2026
UI planning alumnus Dave Andersen named to 2026 FAICP College of Fellows for leadership and lasting impact on planning and communities.
Sarah Hofmeyer with a mountain, forest, and lake in the background.

New Research by Hofmeyer Explores Administrative Burden in Food Systems

Monday, March 9, 2026
Two new papers by Professor Sarah Hofmeyer examine how administrative burdens affect community food producers and offer recommendations for policymakers

IISC Central to Iowa’s Carnegie Recognition

Monday, February 16, 2026
IISC helped secure Iowa’s Carnegie Community Engagement Classification by leading nearly 500 partnerships that advance sustainable, equitable communities.
Service to Service logo of half a star on the left edge and the words Service to Service on a blue background

SPPA Partners with Veteran Service to Service Initiative

Wednesday, November 19, 2025
SPPA is joining the Volcker Alliance and We the Veterans and Military Families in the Service to Service initiative, a program dedicated to recruiting veterans and their family members into schools of public service.
Headshot of Phuong Nguyen

Assessing the Local Impacts of Tax Increment Financing: New Evidence from Nebraska School Districts

Monday, November 10, 2025
Professor Nguyen’s latest research uncovers mixed results from tax increment financing’s impact on Nebraska school district property values.
Three clear plaques awarded to SPPA for 2025 Exemplary Student Projects by APA Iowa Chapter

Building Better Communities: Planning Students Win Three Awards for Statewide Impact

Thursday, October 23, 2025
University of Iowa urban planning students earn an outstanding three awards from the American Planning Association Iowa Chapter for innovative, community-focused projects improving Iowa communities.
Headshot of Ibrahim Suleman, wearing a blue shirt with a white background

Ibrahim Suleman - Class of 2027

Wednesday, October 22, 2025
From Ghana to Iowa City, planning student Ibrahim Suleman is expanding his knowledge