Iowa State University – College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

09/03/2026

Yan-Bin Jia, professor in the Department of Computer Science, and Haniyeh Fekrmandi, a Ph.D. student, have been hard at work this summer setting up the department's newest research tool: a KUKA LBR Med 7.

The robotic arm, which arrived from Manhattan, New York City, features a seven-kilogram payload, torque control, and seven degrees of freedom, enabling highly precise movement for applications such as orthopedic surgery.

Read more about the newest research tool in the Department of Computer Science here: https://www.cs.iastate.edu/news/2026/isu-robotics-lab-unboxes-medical-grade-robotic-arm

09/02/2026

Fifty Iowa State Theatre students, faculty, and staff traveled to Minnesota in January for the Region 5 American College Theatre Festival, where they showcased their talents alongside peers from more than 75 Midwestern colleges and universities. 🎭

Two students, Kyrstin Holmes and Fiona Addy, earned prestigious national finalist awards.

“Knowledge is always something to pursue. And when we do it as a community, it’s such a beautiful thing,” said Fiona Addy (‘26 performing arts).

Continue reading about both national finalists here: https://scriptandscore.music.iastate.edu/2026/08/03/and-the-award-goes-to/

09/01/2026

In their new book, "Criminal Naïveté," criminologists Matt DeLisi and Matt Logan examine the role empathy plays in shaping Americans’ views of crime and criminal justice.

Central to their argument is the concept of “criminal naïveté,” the tendency to view offenders chiefly as products of their circumstances while casting the justice system, and sometimes society at large, as the primary source of harm.

“This shift in thinking may feel compassionate and humane, but it can also pull us away from reality and create distortion,” said DeLisi, distinguished professor in the Department of Sociology and Criminal Justice.

Continue reading about the book here: https://www.news.iastate.edu/news/book-explores-changes-attitudes-and-assumptions-about-crime

08/31/2026

Wyatt Van D**e (’28 meteorology, mathematics) spent his summer at the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) in Boulder, Colorado, contributing to research aimed at improving precipitation forecasts through the Model for Prediction Across Scales. 🌧️

“My favorite part of the experience was the opportunity to meet so many new people. NCAR is a center for atmospheric research, so I had the chance to meet dozens of the leading researchers in my field,” said Van D**e.

See how other Iowa State students turned summer opportunities into meaningful learning experiences: https://news.las.iastate.edu/2026/08/19/summer-internships-bring-new-skills-and-surprises-for-las-students/

08/28/2026

Sarah Dees, associate professor in Iowa State University's Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies, had been working on a biography on Dolly Parton when the country music legend passed away earlier this week.

In a recent article published in The Conversation, Dees explores how Parton's impact extended beyond music, making her a spiritual icon for many fans.

“As a scholar of American religions, I teach my students about practices, texts and beliefs that many of them immediately consider ‘religious’ - for example, a worship service led by a pastor. However, religion is also found far beyond these official times and spaces, including in popular culture,” said Dees in the article.

Continue reading Dees' article in The Conversation here:

The legendary singer took on a saint-like aura for some fans.

08/28/2026

Places, please. Script and Score is live! 🎭

The Department of Music and Theatre is excited to share this year's edition of Script and Score. Discover stories from current students, alumni, and faculty, and revisit some of the department's most memorable achievements and highlights from the past year.

Read the 2026 edition of Script and Score here: https://scriptandscore.music.iastate.edu/

08/27/2026

The Iowa State University Student Innovation Center is an incredible resource for all students. Discover new ideas, explore your creativity, and find countless opportunities to bring your ideas to life!

Watch the video below for information on next week's EXCITE 2026 ⬇️

08/27/2026

Keeping pace with artificial intelligence is no easy task. That's why Wei Le, professor in the Department of Computer Science, and her students are developing a public website designed to catalog new AI releases and make the technology easier to understand.

“It was clear the students wanted more than a discussion,” said Le. "They wanted a place to track AI tools, including what’s new, what it does and whether it’s worth their time.”

To continue reading about the website, visit here: https://www.news.iastate.edu/news/classroom-solution-evolves-public-resource-navigating-ai-tools

08/26/2026

The LAS Marketing and Communications team is hiring a fall 2026 writing and communications intern! ✍️

We're looking for a strong writer with AP Style knowledge, excellent time management skills, and an interest in building a professional portfolio while writing for diverse audiences.

Ready to build your portfolio and gain hands-on experience? Apply through CyHire, applications close September 7: https://iastate.admin.12twenty.com/jobPostings #/jobPostings/35006705526680?p=false

08/25/2026

This summer, Sydney McIntosh (‘27 psychology) was selected for the highly competitive neuroscience cohort of the Life Science Summer Undergraduate Research Program, where she conducted research in the Department of Neuroscience at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities.

In the program, McIntosh researched a potential pharmaceutical treatment for co***ne use disorder aimed at reducing the behavioral effects of co***ne abuse, using two behavioral testing methods.

“Truthfully, this was the last internship I thought would accept me due to my non-biological major background. I definitely believe my biology and statistics minors helped me stand out against other candidates, as they showed my scientific diversity across multiple disciplines,” said McIntosh. “Although having previous research experience wasn't required for this internship, being a part of the Ronald E. McNair Scholars Program, where I got to do a faculty-mentored independent research project, greatly improved my overall skills as a researcher.”

Learn more about the research opportunities in psychology here: https://psychology.iastate.edu/research/