Articles from 2026

A student demonstrates a wooden articulated prototype with several hinged arms while standing in a workshop. A whiteboard beside them displays a hand-drawn sketch of the machine's design, and an orange geometric prototype sits on a chair in the foreground, illustrating the progression from concept sketch to physical model

From Iowa studios to Berlin labs, students bring fantastical machines to life.

Monday, June 29, 2026
During McTernan’s spring 2026 Fantastic Drawing Machines class, art students experimented with designing weird kinetic art objects, ultimately creating drawings and mock-ups for their own “fantastic drawing machines.” The project is a collaboration between McTernan and Ina Holfelder, professor of mechanical design and machine elements at Berliner Hochschule für Technik.
Tony Tran sits with his chin on his hand, wearing an Iowa hoodie, in a room with lights on the wall behind him.

The geography of belonging: How CLAS alumnus Tony Tran explores language, culture, and connection

Monday, June 29, 2026
English and creative writing alumnus Tony Tran uses language to understand the world—exploring the human side of technology while building community through culture and conversation.
students walk through the hallway with the School of Journalism sign overhead

New AI and Media course helps students navigate an evolving industry

Monday, June 29, 2026
The CLAS course offered by the School of Journalism and Mass Communication explores the opportunities, risks, and real-world applications of artificial intelligence in media fields.
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CLAS Communication Sciences and Disorders student finds community and career preparation at Iowa

Monday, June 29, 2026
The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences program combines hands-on learning, faculty mentorship, and research opportunities to prepare students for careers in speech-language pathology and audiology.
Kelvin Nucico poses with the camera equipment in his care

CLAS alumnus helping the next generation of Cinema students succeed

Tuesday, June 16, 2026
From crash-course lessons to project guidance and support, Kelvin Nucico, Instructional Services Coordinator for the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, is committed to helping students from start to finish.
Jake Mayer headshot

How one former SJMC student is now a champion for student success in CLAS

Tuesday, June 16, 2026
Jake Mayer, a 2019 College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS) graduate, has spent the past three years helping students as student success and engagement coordinator in the School of Journalism and Mass Communication.
A profile photograph of Shonda Monette

Staff spotlight: Shonda Monette cultivates connection across CLAS

Monday, June 15, 2026
Over the past 25 years, Shonda Monette has known the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences as a graduate student, faculty member, staff member, and now, president of CLAS Staff Council. As the university's largest college, CLAS spans more than 40 departments and countless disciplines, perspectives, and areas of expertise. That breadth presents a challenge: how do you help people across dozens of departments feel connected to something larger than themselves? That's where Shonda comes in.
An infographic showing the detailed structure of a solar planet's magnetosphere, protecting it from cosmic radiation. AI-generated image.

CLAS researchers analyze dynamics of Mars’ magnetotail

Monday, June 15, 2026
University of Iowa physicists have identified a possible driving force behind massive disturbances in the magnetic environment of Mars. They analyzed the constituents of Mars’ magnetotail — magnetic plume that extends outward from the planet for more than 1,500 miles.
A new material developed by University of Iowa College of Liberal Arts and Sciences research team uses sunlight to pull water from the atmosphere, pointing to future technologies for clean water access.

CLAS research team creates light-powered material that harvests water from the air

Monday, June 15, 2026
Chemists in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences have developed a light-activated crystal structure that captures and stores water from the air using only sunlight. The proof-of-concept discovery could one day lead to energy-efficient technologies that help address global water scarcity, especially in regions with limited access to clean water.
University of Iowa-led TRACERS mission reveals how solar energy travels from the sun to Earth, offering new insights into the forces behind space weather

TRACERS uses speedy electrons to trace solar energy’s path to Earth

Monday, June 15, 2026
First published results from Iowa-led NASA mission reveal new details of sun-Earth interaction. Physicists led by the University of Iowa have documented in the finest detail to date how energy from the sun interacts with Earth’s magnetic field, which could yield greater insights into solar effects on Earth that drive space weather.