Center for Communication Excellence

Center for Communication Excellence This is the official page for Iowa State University Center for Communication Excellence.

We are your partner in skills development, scholarly growth, and professional success!

Looking to strengthen your communication or research writing skills this fall?The Center for Communication Excellence is...
09/04/2026

Looking to strengthen your communication or research writing skills this fall?
The Center for Communication Excellence is hosting two seminar series designed to help graduate students develop valuable skills for academic and professional success! ✨
🗣️ Interpersonal Communication Seminar Series
Sessions cover topics including difficult discussions, listening, challenging conversations, nonverbal communication, conflict management, and small talk.
📝 Research Writing Seminar Series
Sessions focus on beginning a scientific argument, writing a literature review, describing methods, presenting results, composing a discussion/conclusion, and revising with a research writing tutor.
📅 September 9-October 2
📍 Virtual and in-person sessions available
Explore the full schedule and find the sessions that work for you!
🔗 Register using this link:
https://iastate.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_8l9zpOnD7CLehXo

Graduate College at Iowa State University

💼 Looking to strengthen your career readiness?Join us for Career Conversations, a series of engaging and interactive vir...
09/03/2026

💼 Looking to strengthen your career readiness?
Join us for Career Conversations, a series of engaging and interactive virtual workshops designed to help graduate students explore key career development topics, prepare for the job market, and connect with peers along their professional journey. 🎓✨
📅 Every Tuesday during Fall 2026
⏰ 11 a.m. - 12 p.m.
💻 Virtual via Microsoft Teams
Each session provides valuable insights, practical guidance, and opportunities for meaningful discussion in a supportive and collaborative environment.
🔗 Join here: https://profdev.grad-college.iastate.edu/career

Graduate College at Iowa State University

Looking for dedicated time to make progress on your academic writing? 📝Join a Writing Accountability Group (WAG) through...
09/02/2026

Looking for dedicated time to make progress on your academic writing? 📝
Join a Writing Accountability Group (WAG) through the Center for Communication Excellence!
WAGs bring together 5-8 graduate students for weekly, dedicated writing time. Whether you’re brainstorming, drafting, revising, or editing, you can bring any academic writing project you’re working on.
⏰ Meet weekly for 1.5-2 hours
🎯 Stay focused on your writing goals
🤝 Write alongside fellow graduate students
💡 Work at any stage of the writing process
Ready to make progress on your writing goals?
Apply for WAG for Fall 2026: https://iastate.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_0JnEuDbSENfTfCu

Graduate College at Iowa State University

Looking for feedback on your academic work? Join a Peer Review Group (PRG)!The Center for Communication Excellence’s Pee...
09/02/2026

Looking for feedback on your academic work? Join a Peer Review Group (PRG)!
The Center for Communication Excellence’s Peer Review Groups bring together 5-10 graduate students from similar disciplines who meet weekly to provide one another with feedback on academic communication.
PRGs can help you work on:
📝 Research articles, theses and dissertations
📄 Abstracts and grant proposals
🎤 Presentations and posters
💼 Job application materials
…and more!
Work at any stage of the process is welcome, including brainstorming, outlining, drafting, revising, and editing.
PRGs are a community, not a drop-in service or class. Members commit to participating in weekly meetings, even when their own work is not being reviewed. 🤝
📅 Interested in joining an existing group or creating your own group of 5-10 graduate students for Fall 2026?
📋 Apply here using the link in our bio.
Spots are limited, with priority given to students currently working on academic communication.

Graduate College at Iowa State University

Looking to strengthen your speaking skills and connect with other students? Join a Peer Speaking Practice Group (PSPG)! ...
09/02/2026

Looking to strengthen your speaking skills and connect with other students? Join a Peer Speaking Practice Group (PSPG)! 🎤
PSPGs provide a supportive environment where students can practice communication skills, discuss topics that interest them, and build confidence through conversation.
Participants commit to a 4-week block and meet once a week for 50 minutes. Each group is facilitated by a speaking consultant, and topics may be preset or negotiated with the group. Participants can also bring additional topics or questions to weekly sessions. 💬
Topics can range from everyday conversations and small talk to academic networking, presentations, and more. The focus of each group may vary depending on the facilitator and participants.
📅 Check out the available dates, times, locations, and topics to find a group that’s right for you!
🔗 Learn more: https://cce.grad-college.iastate.edu/speaking/peer-speaking-practice-groups

Getting ready for the career fairs? You don't want to miss this!
09/02/2026

Getting ready for the career fairs? You don't want to miss this!

Ready to kick off the semester and start planning your next career steps? 🎓✨Join us this Wednesday for Kick-off Celebrat...
08/31/2026

Ready to kick off the semester and start planning your next career steps? 🎓✨
Join us this Wednesday for Kick-off Celebration and Strategic Career Planning:
☕ Coffee Buzz
🎉 Kick-Off Celebration
🌎 CPT/OPT, Work Authorization & Career Planning
💼 Navigating the U.S. Job Market
🚀 Maximizing Career Fair Opportunities
Connect with fellow graduate students, explore resources, and build skills to prepare for your career journey.
📅 September 2 | 📍 SICTR Room 4237
Don’t miss out!
CareerFair

08/14/2026

New Graduate Student Orientation is only one week away! 🎉

Join us on Thursday, August 20, from 10 a.m.–4 p.m. at the Student Innovation Center. Orientation is a great opportunity to learn about university resources, receive important onboarding information, explore professional development opportunities, and connect with fellow graduate students from across Iowa State.

Lunch and ISU Creamery ice cream will be provided! 🍦 Be sure to review the event schedule and breakout-session options in advance so you can plan your day.

We’re excited to welcome you to Iowa State and help you begin your graduate journey! ❤️💛

08/13/2026

Orientation is next week!!! Today's breakout session highlight is for our new international students. New non-TA international graduate students are encouraged to meet the International Students and Scholars Office team during this essential orientation breakout session. Learn about immigration regulations and work authorization options, ask questions, and connect with staff who are ready to support you throughout your Iowa State journey.

📅 Thursday, August 20
🕝 2:30–3:30 p.m.
📍 Hoover Hall 2055

We look forward to welcoming you!

05/26/2026

Summer intramurals are back for graduate students! ☀️🏐🏀⚽️🏸

The Graduate and Professional Student Senate (GPSS) and the Grad Mixer Club have partnered with ISU Student Health and Wellness to offer graduate students no-cost access to intramural sports this summer.

Graduate students can participate in FREE summer sports leagues through Iowa State Recreation Services, including sand volleyball, pickleball doubles, basketball pickup, 3x3 soccer, and badminton doubles.

Students who are not taking summer classes can participate without a gym membership.

Registration is open May 14–28. Scan the QR code or visit the Recreation Services website under Intramural Sports for registration details.

Stay active, connect with other graduate students, and have some fun this summer!

https://cyclonehealth.iastate.edu/recreation/im/schedule

Address

1137 Pearson Hall
Ames, IA
50011

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 5pm
Tuesday 8am - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
Friday 8am - 5pm

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Center for Communication Excellence posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The University

Send a message to Center for Communication Excellence:

Shortcuts

Share

Category