
Kirsten Abel helps coordinate the university's nominations for external faculty awards. Learn why winning matters and how not winning serves a purpose.

Amanda Knief has served as director of the lectures program since 2018, and on July 1 she became Iowa State's parliamentarian. She primarily advises the heads of Faculty Senate and Professional and Scientific Council when the need arises.

Nick Howell has been running a horticulture facility of one kind or another at Iowa State for 36 years, but as the superintendent of the Horticulture Research Station, home to up to 100 research projects annually, he learns something new every day.

One customary aspect of an Iowa State graduation ceremony that will come through loud and clear in the virtual version is the voice of Hollis Monroe, the former on-air producer at WOI Radio who has been the university's primary commencement announcer for 25 years.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, virtual meetings have changed how many Iowa State faculty and staff do their jobs. Same goes for Spencer Braly, though in his case it's also changed what he does.

Leslie Ginder, employee leave and accommodation coordinator for university human resources, talked about mental health and the resources available to Iowa State employees.