About IISC

The "S" in Our Name

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A Unique UI Resource

The Iowa Initiative for Sustainable Communities (IISC) is an engaged-learning program at the University of Iowa that is widely admired as one of the leading programs in the country for partnership building between institutions of higher education and communities. Our work enhances the teaching and learning experiences on our campus, while providing a depth and breadth of services, expertise, and resources to Iowa.

IISC approaches the holistic nature of sustainability by drawing on many disciplines across campus. Students, faculty, and staff from diverse fields bridge disciplinary boundaries to develop innovative approaches to complex challenges.

A national model for engagement & learning

Two students on the steps of a traditional university building.

The magnitude and depth of an IISC partnership make it unlike any other resource or service at the University of Iowa. Whereas some community engagement might consist of single project, IISC's full partnership model focuses the energies of approximately 100 students and faculty on a single community over the course of an academic year.

The power of an IISC full partnership lies not only in the number and quality of projects, but in the opportunity for local citizens and community leaders to coalesce around a shared vision and goals.

IISC offers a competitive application process that requires a considerable amount of time and effort from prospective community partners, as well as a broad vision for the future. By the time students arrive on campus for the start of a new semester, community partners are ready and eager to begin working on the collaboration.

IISC is also unique because our professional staff works to ensure excellent results for community partners. Final deliverables reflect not only high quality work from students, but the professional expertise of IISC staff.

Our History

IISC was founded in 2009 by Dr. Charles Connerly, the longtime director of the UI School of Urban & Regional Planning (now called the School of Planning & Public Affairs). He also served as president of the Association of Collegiate Schools of Planning. In 2012, due to the success of these projects and the recognition that sustainability in Iowa spans a variety of disciplines, IISC expanded to include courses and departments from across campus.

IISC Leadership

Travis Kraus

Director

Travis is Professor of Practice in the School of Planning and Public Affairs and Director of the Iowa Initiative for Sustainable Communities (IISC). Travis joined IISC in August 2016 and manages the day-to-day operations of the IISC and works with community partners and University of Iowa faculty, staff and students to facilitate engaged-learning projects that promote economic development, social justice, and sustainability.

Travis has held an appointment as Faculty Fellow for Engaged Teaching and Scholarship with the UI Office of Community Engagement. He serves on the board of directors for EPIC-N, an international network of community engagement programs, and he also enjoys serving on the board of the local arts non-profit, Public Space One. He was the recipient of the 2025 Michael J. Brody Award for Faculty Excellence in Service.

Prior to joining the IISC, Travis led the Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development organizations in Mount Pleasant, Iowa, worked as a regional planner for the Southeast Iowa Regional Planning Commission, and was a successful small business entrepreneur for many years. Travis earned a Master's degree in Urban & Regional Planning from the University of Iowa, where he also earned a Bachelor’s degree in English and a secondary teaching certificate.

J Ashley Laux

Assistant Director

Ashley supports the day-to-day operations of the Iowa Initiative for Sustainable Communities (IISC) and works with community partners and University of Iowa faculty, staff, and students to facilitate engaged-learning projects that promote economic development, social justice, and sustainability in Iowa. Ashley joined the IISC in 2025.

Throughout her career, Ashley has facilitated local and global curricular community engagement partnerships in higher education and community settings. Ashley holds a BS in Japanese Studies from Middlebury College in Vermont and an MS in Higher Education and Student Affairs from the University of Indiana Bloomington.

IISC Faculty and Staff Network

Aron Aji

Director, Translation Programs

aron-aji@uiowa.edu

https://dwllc.uiowa.edu/people/aron-aji

Jerry Anthony

Associate Professor, School of Planning and Public Affairs

jerry-anthony@uiowa.edu

Profile

Loyce Arthur

Associate Professor Emeritus, Department of Theatre Arts