Our goal is to expand the university’s impact on local and regional communities, the state of Iowa, and the world by leveraging its areas of distinction, the resources entrusted to it, and the collective talent of its people.
The Transformative Societal Impact priority establishes strategies to increase access to higher education in Iowa, expand community engagement opportunities, advance sustainability, enhance communication, and maintain our high standard of excellent health care services.
This work will allow us to continue making significant contributions to the lives of people on our campus, within the state, and throughout the world while enriching the student experience and adhering to the university's teaching, research, and public service missions.
Highlights and Success
UI students solving challenges for Iowa communities
More than a dozen local governments and public agencies have benefitted from the expertise of students in the Tippie College of Business Marketing Institute, who help clients solve marketing challenges while gaining experience with the tools they’ll need in their careers.
Integrating sustainability with education
The colleges of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Education, and Public Health have each made sustainability a component of their general education requirements, providing students with valuable knowledge and skills for making a sustainable future.
Providing training to improve life-saving care for Iowans
The University of Iowa's cutting-edge mobile simulation program is equipping EMS and hospital professionals across the state with the training and tools they need to save lives in high-pressure, high-stakes situations.
Advancing health equity across Iowa
University of Iowa students, researchers, and community partners are working together to advance health equity across the state through the Equity in Health Science Practice Program.
Innovating with new surgical technologies
University of Iowa Health Care is using a minimally invasive surgical technology called laser interstitial thermal therapy, a procedure that one UI neurosurgeon says could become “the gold standard of care” for patients with epilepsy.
University of Iowa a leader in green power usage
The EPA ranks the University of Iowa No. 2 on its Top 30 Colleges and Universities list of the largest green power users. The ranking reflects the university’s long history of innovation and achievement in developing and using alternative fuels to generate steam for heating and cooling campus buildings.
"I'm really excited about recent work to expand opportunities for faculty training on campus. The Faculty Engagement Core will help teach faculty how to incorporate community engagement into the classroom."
Measuring Our Progress
The university has set specific five-year targets for the following high-level indicators, and will report on progress toward meeting these targets annually.
Continued Commitment to Sustainability
GOALS FOR 2027:
- Reach 75% of undergraduate students completing a sustainability-focused course
- Reach 100% of new buildings and renovations meeting or exceeding LEED thresholds
- Reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 47%
Achieving Our Vision for UI Health Care
GOALS FOR 2027:
- Increase patient capacity and unique annual patient encounters across all UI Health Care settings by 10%
- Rank in the top 50 of Vizient Quality and Accountability Study of comprehensive academic medical centers