Office of Community Engagement

The Office of Community Engagement at the University of Iowa serves as a bridge between the university and the community. We facilitate mutually beneficial partnerships between faculty, staff, students, and community partners across our state, nation, and world. We offer trainings, workshops, and provide informational resources and expertise that empowers faculty, staff, and students to transform their teaching, learning, and research to make lasting change and a positive impact in our communities.

Undergraduate Engagement Corps Program Began January 2025

OCE's newest program, the UEC, began January 2025. The program is for all undergraduate UI students interested in addressing critical societal problems, improving quality of life, and being an engaged citizen!

Apply for the 2025 Faculty Engagement Corps

The OCE is excited to open applications for our 2025 Faculty Engagement Corps (FEC). The FEC Orientation will cover principles and practices of community-engaged teaching and community-engaged research and will include a variety of interactive sessions.

Carnegie Elective Classification for Community Engagement

Over the next year, OCE and a Leadership Committee of faculty and staff will work to gather data from across campus and assemble a successful re-classification application to Carnegie.

GEC 2025 Cohort Orientation

We were thrilled to get to know our new GEC students during a three-day workshop in January. With guest speakers, breakout sessions, and project development, students developed skills in community engagement. These graduate students are enthusiastic and looking forward to engaging with community partners!

How to Be a Public Artist

Public artist workshop led by college graduate

Artist and UI lecturer Ali Hval leads students enrolled in the How to Be a Public Artist workshop on a tour around downtown Iowa City, showcasing her Scribble Trees and other public artwork!

Graduate Engagement Corps

Community Engagement Network

Faculty Engagement Corps

Upcoming Events

Broader Impacts Fair

Wednesday, April 23, 2025 12:00pm to 2:00pm

University Capitol Centre

The Research Development Office is hosting an in-person Broader Impacts Fair on Wednesday, April 23 from noon to 2 p.m. in UCC. The goal of the fair is to provide a unique opportunity to connect researchers with campus resources and foster partnerships that are essential for developing and delivering impactful National Science Foundation (NSF) Broader Impacts activities. During the fair, six participating units will showcase their BI expertise through lightning talks. Following the lightning...

Song*Lines Project: People Power

Sunday, April 27, 2025 2:00pm to 4:00pm

Iowa City Bike Library

SONG*LINES PROJECT Weaving Village by singing together in places we love Spring 2025, Iowa City In partnership with Grant Wood Art Colony + the University of Iowa School of Music TO REGISTER, <SIGN UP HERE>

Song*Lines Project: Big Sing at Old Brick

Sunday, May 4, 2025 2:00pm to 5:00pm

Old Brick Church

SONG*LINES PROJECT Weaving Village by singing together in places we love. Spring 2025, Iowa City In partnership with Grant Wood Art Colony + the University of Iowa School of Music TO REGISTER, <SIGN UP HERE>

Eight Over 80 Awards

Thursday, May 8, 2025 11:00am

As Hawkeyes, we give back throughout our lives. We're leaders in our professions. We're generous with our time and talent. We're passionate about things we love — especially anything black and gold. And some Hawkeyes continue to make an impact well beyond retirement. That's why we are honoring Iowa alumni, age 80 and over, who carry the Hawkeye spirit of achievement and continue to help others. Nominate a Hawkeye for this award: https://www.foriowa.org/eight-over-80/

5th Annual BioBlitz at the Ashton Prairie Living Laboratory

Saturday, July 12, 2025 9:00am to 11:00am

Ashton Cross Country Course

What types of plants, animals, and fungal life might you find at the Ashton Prairie Living Laboratory? Let's find out! Join researchers in collecting, observing, and recording biodiversity at the Ashton Prairie Living Laboratory in our 5th Annual BioBlitz. Your findings will inform a major research project and will contribute to the fifth data point in a multi-year documentation of how diversity changes at this site over time. Collections will be housed with the UI Museum of Natural History...

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