Program Spotlight: IISC builds successful partnerships in communities all across the state of Iowa
By: Ada Inman
The Iowa Initiative for Sustainable Communities (IISC) is a campus-wide community engaged learning organization located in the School of Planning and Public Affairs at the University of Iowa. IISC partners faculty, staff, and students with urban and rural communities to complete projects that enhance the sustainability of Iowa’s communities, while transforming teaching and learning at the university. Community needs are matched with the expertise and resources of university faculty, staff, and students through courses, independent studies and research projects.
Through developing projects that address community priorities while engaging faculty and students in high-impact, real-world projects, the IISC draws stronger connections between the university and the state, advancing the university’s strong commitment to building mutually beneficial partnerships. These projects and partnerships enable the IISC to address Iowa’s economic, environmental and socio-cultural challenges in ways that build a more sustainable future for the state, and more successful futures for our students.
Focus areas include community and economic development, cultural vitality, environmental sustainability, community health, and community education. These focus areas bring together departments from all over campus, such as Planning, Art, Law, Public Health, Business, and more. Over the course of a typical academic year, more than 100 students will be working with partnering communities on a wide variety of projects.
Learn more about IISC here.
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