College of Liberal Arts & Sciences

icon of a blue barn with green grass and a blue river flow in front with the words Lower Cedar Watershed

West Branch – Lower Cedar Watershed

Published
Thursday, September 25, 2025
Academic year
2025-2026

Graduate students in the Department of English will engage the Lower Cedar Watershed Management Group in a public environmental humanities project. 

Three red pine trees with a red line evoking a river underlines the word West Branch in black

West Branch – Public Tree Inventory

Published
Monday, September 15, 2025
Academic year
2025-2026
Partner

As part of the ICIGO student organization within the School of Earth, Environment, and Sustainability, students will conduct an on-site tree study and create a GIS-based digital inventory tool for city-owned trees in West Branch, Iowa.

Three red pine trees with a red line evoking a river underlines the word West Branch in black

West Branch – Social Media Plan for the City of West Branch

Published
Friday, September 12, 2025
Academic year
2025-2026
Partner

Undergraduate students in the School of Journalism and Mass Communication will partner with the City of West Branch to work on a social media plan and corresponding public engagement strategy.

Mural Painting in Burlington Alleyway

Downtown Burlington Alleyway Art

Published
Thursday, June 5, 2025
Academic year
2024-2025

Visiting Assistant Professor in the School of Art & Art History Ali Hval engaged the Burlington community to activate a prominent downtown alleyway with public art. 

West Burlington Aerial photo

West Burlington GIS Data Development

Published
Wednesday, June 4, 2025
Academic year
2024-2025

Students in ICIGO created and mapped a wide range of data for the City of West Burlington using Geographic Information System (GIS) tools to help local officials identify opportunities for community improvements.

Wonderful Westside Neighborhood group photo

Supporting Iowa City's Wonderful Westside Neighborhood

Published
Sunday, February 2, 2025
Academic year
2023-2024
Partner

Courses from two University of Iowa departments - the Department of Theatre Arts and the School of Planning & Public Affairs - merged to explore the role of arts & culture in community and economic development, with a focus on supporting the launch and visioning for the Wonderful Westside Neighborhood Association in Iowa City.   

Screenshot from Pathfinders video

Pathfinders RC&D Strategic Communications Campaign

Published
Thursday, January 9, 2025
Academic year
2024-2025

Students in a capstone class in the School of Journalism and Mass Communications worked with Pathfinders RC&D to develop a strategic communication campaign and a vast array of resources to help the organization implement the campaign strategies. 

lit up siren

Burlington - Risk Assessment

Published
Monday, December 9, 2024
Academic year
2024-2025
A young man in a yellow hat, dark sweatshirt, and tan pants in a wheelchair on an outdoor dirt path.

Pathfinders - Mapping Accessibility in Iowa’s Cultural Destinations

Published
Wednesday, August 28, 2024
Academic year
2024-2025

Students from Public Affairs and from a GIS student organization will help Pathfinders RC&D develop a statewide database and map of accessibility features in Iowa's parks, natural areas, and cultural spaces.  

A new statewide initiative from Pathfinders Resource Conservation and Development (RC&D) aims to help individuals with disabilities and their caregivers better navigate opportunities to enjoy Iowa’s parks and cultural spaces. 

Emily Edwards standing in front of mural

Bloomfield - Mutchler Community Center Mural

Published
Thursday, August 8, 2024
Academic year
2024-2025

University of Iowa-based artist Emily Edwards painted two murals at the Mutchler Community Center in Bloomfield, IA. With input from the staff and community, the artist created a design that brings a sense of energy and excitement to the space and serves as a memorable community touchpoint. This project is part of IISC's partnership with Pathfinders RC&D. 

row of young people with shovels and freshly tilled dirt

West Burlington - Pollinator Garden

Published
Tuesday, July 23, 2024
Academic year
2024-2025
During the fall semester, UI students enrolled in “Prairie Restoration” worked with the City of West Burlington to design and construct a new pollinator garden. 
This project provided an opportunity for students and city staff to learn together about the value of prairie plants, even in relatively small spaces such as the new garden they created. Prairie restorations provide much-needed habitat and food for songbirds, pollinators, and other native wildlife.
sustainable Dubuque storymap

StoryMap of Dubuque's Sustainability Infrastructure Projects

Published
Monday, June 10, 2024
Academic year
2023-2024
Partner

As part of the ICIGO student organization within the Department of Geographical and Sustainability Sciences, students created a StoryMap that highlights green infrastructure projects in Dubuque. 

The city of Dubuque has been widely recognized for prioritizing sustainability in community and economic development. ICIGO students created a StoryMap highlights many of the current and past initiatives that help make Dubuque a more sustainable and resilient community.