Senators receive accreditation update

Vice president for Extension and Outreach Jason Henderson spoke to the Faculty Senate about Iowa State as a solution to economic uncertainty in Iowa and the nation during its Feb. 10 meeting. Henderson explained how Iowa's economy was hit harder by tariffs in the first and second quarters of 2025 because of its concentration in manufacturing and agriculture, and how state revenue projections for fiscal year 2026 are coming in below estimates.

Henderson said the state and nation's biggest challenge is the volume of manufacturing production that has moved overseas.

"Currently, the system is set up for China to be production and America to be consumption, but Iowa's economy is set up to produce things," he said. "That is why we have been struggling."

Henderson said Iowa State can play an important role developing a workforce that must be as productive as ever to continue the same level of gross domestic product and quality of life growth the U.S. has had over the past 75 years.

"Increased productivity comes from innovation and turning science into practice," he said. "Land-grant universities are the solution because people are able to use our discoveries to make life better."

Henderson said STEM fields like health care, engineering, and data and information analysis are where job growth is mostly concentrated. Employers also are looking for students with strong critical thinking, communication and leadership skills, all areas in whichISU students feel better prepared. The internships, research opportunities and team-based projects that happen across campus are key to developing the next productive workforce, he said.

"It is not just STEM but the humanities as well," Henderson said. "Students excel at both, and it's Iowa State's strength because we focus on both."

HLC Accreditation

Kelsey Gillen, academic quality and undergraduate education director in the provost's office, shared the process and timeline of the upcoming Higher Learning Commission's (HLC) reaffirmation visit. Members of the commission will be on campus March 30-31 to assess the quality of ISU's education. A successful visit allows ISU access to more than $150 million in federal financial aid annually.

Iowa State's accreditation is based on four criteria:

• Mission: Is ISU's mission clear and articulated publicly?
• Integrity: Is ISU acting with integrity and conducting itself in an ethical and responsible way?
• Teaching and learning for student success: Does ISU have the necessary rigor for its programs and when creating new ones?
• Sustainability: Does ISU have the proper institutional effectiveness, resources and planning?

Gillen said over the past two years, more than 50 faculty and staff have worked to compile information for the 35,000-word assurance argument to explain the entire institution to the HLC. More than 300 pieces of evidence and 6,000 course syllabi were collected.

During the campus visit, the campus community is invited to participate in three open forums that will be organized around the four criteria. More information on the forums will be available closer to the visit.

In addition to attending the forums, Gillen asked faculty and staff to read the brief executive summary of the assurance argument when it's available on the provost's accreditation website after March 2, and to check and update any broken links on department, college and university websites.

Other business

The senate will vote in March on:

• A proposed online graduate certificate in health care analytics to provide options for individuals not interested in ISU's 30-credit master's degree. The four-course certificate would provide a baseline of understanding in health care analytics, data privacy and security. The credits could be applied to the master's program.
• A proposed 13-credit graduate certificate in responsible AI for AI practitioners that would develop students' understanding of its proper use and development. Students would apply their knowledge of the risks and risk mitigation methodology to improve AI-driven decisions. The certificate program would draw students from many fields, such as computer science, mathematics, engineering, chemistry, linguistics or economics.
• A proposed name change to the major and minor, from performing arts to theatre. Theatre is the industry standard, more recognizable to prospective students and their parents and aligns with the department name. As part of the change, dance would no longer be a program of study, but acting and directing, theatrical design, and technology and musical theatre would remain.
• A proposed name change for the community and regional planning major, minor and master's programs to urban and regional planning, to increase visibility and align the programs with the department name.
• A proposed name change for the bachelor of arts in earth science degree to bachelor of arts in earth science education and studies. The degree is designated for students pursuing an education secondary major, and assures students receive an earth science endorsement. The change will distinguish it from the bachelor of science in earth science degree.

Senators approved: 

• A resolution to support the use of open educational resources (OER) for student access to course materials.          
• A change to the Faculty Handbook to add OER developed by faculty as another way to document scholarship and scholarly teaching for promotion and tenure. The change ensures OER can be used as evidence of commitment to effective teaching.