News

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.
Headshot of Samanth Zuhlke

Zuhlke Invited to Speak on the Role of Land Trusts in Local Policy Development

Thursday, May 11, 2023
Samantha Zuhlke will participate in the Civil Society and Sustainability Conference to be hosted by the Center on Philanthropy and Civil Society at Stanford University in late May, based on her designation as a “cutting-edge scholar.”
Headshot of Cami Rasmussen

Alumni Spotlight: Cami Rasmussen

Thursday, May 11, 2023
Getting her MPA degree brought Cami a wealth of new knowledge that significantly supplemented her nine years of experience as a current city administrator and 25 years in local government.