As the university's largest undergraduate college, we create immersive learning environments where students collaborate directly with pioneering faculty on cutting-edge research and real-world projects.

We can't do this without the vision and support of alumni and friends, who through their generosity and foresight help remove financial barriers so that talented students can afford their Iowa education; enable CLAS and attract and retain world-class scholars; fund ground-braking research that puts Iowa at the forefront of innovation and creativity; and foster the holistic well-being of our students through support services.

Student success

CLAS scholarships directly impact student success, helping talented individuals access world-class education regardless of economic background. Your investment fuels this ecosystem of excellence. Whether providing life-changing scholarships that open doors for deserving students, funding support resources that foster their well-being, or creating transformative experiences that launch successful careers—your support creates ripple effects that will extend far beyond our campus.

math students at a black board working on calculations

Student scholarships

Remove financial barriers to excellence

CLAS scholarships directly impact student success, helping talented individuals access world-class education regardless of economic background.

CLAS students, faculty, and staff celebrate spring commencement

Help CLAS students thrive

Hawkeyes Helping Hawkeyes fund

Our goal is to offer comprehensive programs and services that help CLAS through outreach, mental health programming, and services to support well-being and nurture student success.

Alumni and friends like you make it possible for the college to award nearly $1 million in scholarships every year.

80 +

CLAS scholarships

$ 950k

in scholarships awarded

250 +

scholarship recipients

$ 3,800

Average scholarship award

Faculty excellence

It takes a world-class faculty to be one of the nation’s premier research universities and provide a life-changing educational experience for students. The visionary support of our alumni and friends allows us to position our faculty for success, through endowed chairs and fellowships that allow us to attract and retain the very best faculty, and support for innovative research and scholarship that keeps CLAS and Iowa at the vanguard of innovation and impact.

Class at the Nonfiction Writing Program House

Long-term funding for faculty

Invest in academic excellence

Create lasting impact through endowed chairs and professorships that attract distinguished scholars and provide permanent support for research excellence.

Students looking at display in TRACERS lab

Immediate faculty support

Make a difference today

Provide flexible support for immediate needs: research equipment, conference travel, sabbatical supplements, and emerging opportunities.

Shape the future

Your generosity fuels programs that prepare students to solve tomorrow’s biggest challenges.

See your gifts in action

Carver College of Medicine alumnus Dee Silver is pictured at the UI Theatre Building earlier this year.

Iowa Medicine Alum Supports His Two Passions: Theater and Neuroscience

Retired neurologist Dee Silver gives back to his alma mater through a unique playwriting fellowship and neuroscience research award.
Birds fly inside of the UI Museum of Natural History’s rare Laysan Island cyclorama

Donors Rally to Restore University of Iowa Museum’s Historic Exhibit

A campaign to preserve a 111-year-old cyclorama at the UI Museum of Natural History raises more than $500,000, including from supporters on One Day for Iowa.
Emily Hurst speaks with students

CLAS student care manager wants to create a ‘culture of wellness’ in the college

Emily Hurst brings two decades of experience and her passion for mental health to the student care manager role in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. The new position is the first of its kind on campus and was made possible by a generous donor gift.

Your generosity is making a difference

Thank you for supporting the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. At CLAS, we empower students to explore the full range of human learning, preparing them for meaningful lives and fulfilling careers.

Your gift fuels strategic investments that directly benefit students—from expanded advising and faculty training in mental health, to new world languages options and enhanced academic outreach that keep students on track to graduate.

The spirit of exploration and innovation that defines CLAS is thriving. Faculty are earning prestigious awards while we advance major facility projects, research infrastructure, and performing arts spaces.

This progress is possible because of friends like you. Your support strengthens the college, resonates across the university, and leaves a lasting legacy through the students and faculty you champion.

Dean Sara Sanders, exterior on the Pentacrest
Pinned content, custom sorted.

Sara Sanders, PhD, MSW

Title/Position
Dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS)
Professor

Questions?

If you have questions or want to learn about other ways you can support CLAS, please contact the UI Center for Advancement by emailing susan.horan@foriowa.org.