News

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.
Headshot of Joe Wilensky

Alumni Spotlight: Joe Wilensky

Thursday, April 20, 2023
Land Use Planner and UI alum, Joe Wilensky, currently works as an Assistant Planner for Johnson County in Iowa City. He focuses on researching and reviewing development applications for Board of Supervisor action while also preparing policy proposals and measures for long term county land use planning.
Photo of Sepehr Yadollahi taken outside in the winter.

Sepehr Yadollahi Receives Student Leadership Award

Wednesday, April 12, 2023
Sepehr Yadollahi, master’s student in Urban Planning, has received a 2023 President’s Student Leadership Award from Iowa & Minnesota Campus Compact for his curiosity, commitment, and talent of as an effective leader and public servant.
Kansha Tiwardi headshot

Alumni Spotlight: Kansha Tiwari

Wednesday, April 12, 2023
Kansha Tiwari started out working as an architect in India. Her desire to identify community and regional issues and develop strategies to achieve economic development and prosperity led her to pursue a Master's of Urban and Regional Planning from the University of Iowa.
Headshot of Mike Norris

Alumni Spotlight: Mike Norris, one of our 1000 alumni

Tuesday, March 28, 2023
Mike Norris, class of 2003, has contributed to solving housing issues for over 25 years.
Headshot of Jen Jordan

Making an Environmental Impact with Urban Planning Degree

Monday, February 20, 2023
URP alumna Jennifer Jordan’s exuberance for conservation continues to influence municipal waste and resource management.