The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS) is the oldest and largest college at the University of Iowa, with more than 35 departments, 65 majors, and nearly 15,000 students. About 80 percent of University of Iowa undergraduates start here, and the college awards more than 60 percent of UI’s undergraduate degrees.
Many students seek internships, lab work, practicums, conferences, symposiums, and travel opportunities to prepare for careers or graduate school—but costs can be a barrier. That’s where you can help: especially on March 25, during One Day for Iowa, the university’s 24-hour online giving day.
Hawkeyes take flight
Reaching new heights through hands-on space research
Hands-on research turns classroom knowledge into real-world discovery. Programs like the university’s Edge of Space Academy let undergraduates design experiments, work with advanced technology, and collaborate with peers nationwide.
Last summer, 16 students participated in this immersive program, building experiments ranging from grassland ecology to cosmic ray observation. After testing and launching their instruments, students presented findings at the Summer Undergraduate Research Conference in Iowa City. NASA noticed the program’s impact, leading to funding in support of the Academy’s sixth year in 2026.
Programs like this allow students to travel, collaborate, and conduct meaningful research outside the classroom. They spark interests, build professional skills, and prepare students for careers in space and Earth sciences.
Exploring community health in Spain
Studying abroad allows students to experience how different cultures approach complex issues like health and wellness. By learning in a global setting, students gain new perspectives on how environment, policy, and daily habits influence healthier communities.
Last year, 20 CLAS students traveled to Spain for a three-week course on the social determinants of health in cities known for their exceptional well-being. Led by Lucas Carr, associate professor of Health, Sport, and Human Physiology, the group visited Madrid, Barcelona, and Valencia to explore why residents of these cities enjoy such high levels of health.
Through field experiences—including visits to health facilities, exploring parks and city design, and cultural activities—students saw firsthand how factors like walkability, food systems, and public policy contribute to long-term well-being.
For many students, the immersive experience reshaped how they think about health. “Anyone can open a book or the internet to learn about a country's culture, but living in it is something special in and of itself,” said Alyssa Engels, a human physiology major who participated in the course.
Global lessons in sustainable science
International experiences also connect classroom learning to sustainability challenges. Nearly 20 students from the Department of Chemistry and the School of Earth, Environment, and Sustainability traveled to Switzerland and Germany last year for a two-week trip focused on sustainable chemistry.
Led by Adam Brummett, associate professor of chemistry, and Stratis Giannakouros, director of the Office of Sustainability and the Environment, students explored sites such as the Aletsch Glacier, Fraunhofer Institutes, ETH University, Roche Pharmaceuticals, and Lonza AG. Students also engaged in lectures, lab visits, and hands-on discussions, bridging chemistry and environmental planning in ways that can’t be replicated in a classroom.
“A study abroad of this nature doesn’t exist anywhere,” Brummett said. “It’s a really unique thing that our students at the University of Iowa have access to a unique perspective on how these fields feed each other.”
Your gift goes further on One Day for Iowa
Donations make these transformative experiences possible. On Wednesday, March 25, during One Day for Iowa, members of the college’s dean’s advisory council will match gifts to the CLAS development fund up to $10,000—turning $1 into $2, $5 into $10, and so on.
“These kinds of experiences can truly shape a student’s future,” said College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Dean, Sara Sanders. “But not every student has the financial means to participate. Support from our alumni and friends helps ensure that more students can take part in internships, practicums, conferences, and other opportunities that prepare them for what comes next.”
You can support this fund and more than 40 CLAS programs participating during the giving day. Share your support on social media on March 25 by tagging CLAS, responding to University of Iowa Center for Advancement posts, using #1DayForIowa in your posts and comments for a chance to win an additional $250 to $500 for your favorite programs.
To learn more about how you can give back during the giving day, visit 1day.uiowa.edu.
THANK YOU to everyone who donated to our CLAS Development Fund! We met our match and raised nearly $22,000 on One Day for Iowa in 2026.