President Harreld: Faculty research, scholarship key to student achievement

Iowa Now - Research

Bruce HarreldIt’s hard to believe, but the fall semester is only a month away. Already, I can picture the hustle and bustle of move-in and new Hawkeyes finding their way to their classes for the first time, settling into the swing of college life. And I’m thinking of all of the new experiences they will have, the exciting trails they will blaze for themselves at the University of Iowa. There are countless ways to navigate a university experience. That’s quite possibly the most important thing the UI provides—the opportunity for students to find their own path, to set their own milestones on the road of life. And what allows them to do that is the work of our outstanding faculty who will help our students on their journey.

It’s clear to me that faculty research and scholarship are the keys to our students’ success. When UI faculty pursue their academic interests, they not only expand our knowledge about everything from Iowa’s watershed to Bronze Age archaeology but also inspire students to follow their own passions. Critical to the educational process is a faculty that has been out there in the thick of it, that has dealt with and overcome the challenges of difficult and worthwhile research. These seasoned scholars teach students not just what they have discovered but how they have discovered it. That “how” isn’t limited to the research process itself; Iowa faculty advise their students about academics, but they also teach them about building a fulfilling life.

That process often hinges on collaboration between scholars and students. When faculty researchers and undergraduates work together, they’re able to get to know one another. Collaboration like this is where students can truly see the spark of their mentor’s interest in a subject, their passion for the work. And in order to ...

Read More