August
Gaining the Iowa Edge
Embark on your college journey at the University of Iowa with a head start through the Iowa Edge program!
This dynamic four-year mentorship initiative is open to all students with an emphasis on assisting those from under-resourced schools, first-generation college attendees, or transfer students.
Iowa Edge begins before your first semester at the University of Iowa to help with the transition to the campus. Here is what you can look forward to in the pre-semester experience:
- Networking: Forge connections with faculty and campus leaders ready to guide you.
- Community: Join a vibrant group of peers and start building lifelong friendships.
- Leadership: Hone skills that will propel you to success in academics and beyond.
Kick off your first day of classes feeling confident and prepared, paving your way to becoming a proud University of Iowa alum. Plus, you can earn a semester hour credit by participating in the Iowa Edge course (CIAE: 1050) during your first term.
Meals and program expenses for the Iowa Edge pre-semester experience for all participants are privately funded.
On Iowa! — a welcome and University community immersion program where all new first-year and transfer students.
September
At the University of Iowa, Latinx Heritage Month is celebrated from September 15th to October 15. See events by clicking here.
October
LGBTQ+ History Month is a month-long celebration that occurs in October to observe lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer history. Click Here
Homecoming 2024
Homecoming week brings together students, faculty, staff, future Hawkeyes, and alumni from across the world in celebration. From the construction of the Corn Monument and the naming of Royalty, to the echoing cheers and the Iowa Fight Song at Kinnick Stadium, Homecoming week creates experiences that last a lifetime. Click Here
November
Native American Heritage Month is celebrated in November to showcase the rich culture of the native people of this land as well as honor the Native American and Indigenous People who have suffered injustices. Click Here
APACC Week is a fall initiative brought by the Asian Pacific American Cultural Center (APACC).
Every day for a week, the APACC puts on a series of events under an umbrella theme. Events come in all mediums from presentations, collaborative activities, and creative experiences. The events typically center around the Asian American identity and experience. Click Here
Veteran's Day is November 11th, 2024.
Veteran's Day is a federal holiday for honoring military veterans of the United States Armed Forces.
Election Day is Nov. 5
National First Gen College Celebration, held each year nationally on November 8 to commemorate the anniversary of the Higher Education Act of 1965, encourages colleges and universities across the country to celebrate the successes of the institution's first-generation faculty, staff, and students.
In 2018, the University of Iowa chose to extend the celebration to encompass a full week of events, which are hosted by departments and colleges across the university. Some events are targeted to specific populations, such as first-gen students in a specific college, while others are open to the entire campus community.
International Education Week celebrates the many ways international education and exchange opportunities prepare citizens for community building in both national and international settings.
Events/Calendar
Date: November 18-22, 2024
Resources
Transgender Day of Remembrance is held on November 20.
Transgender Day of Remembrance is an annual observance that honors the memory of the transgender people whose lives were lost in acts of anti-transgender violence.
January
Recognition of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthdate has been a tradition at the University of Iowa since 1969, and the national holiday has been observed through human rights programs since its inception in 1986. In 1990, the university initiated the Human Rights Convocation Program. Afternoon classes were canceled to encourage student, faculty, and staff participation in programs that encourage dialogue about diversity and reinforce the principle that the university is a forum for the free exchange of ideas. The convocation has been an opportunity for serious thinking by all of us about issues of social justice, human rights, and world peace.
An official university holiday was designated in 1995 to provide the university community with an opportunity to engage in a discussion about the human values that Dr. King epitomizes. These initial events have grown into a campus and community celebration that includes lectures, discussions, and cultural arts presentations. All events are free and open to the public.
February
Black History Month is observed each February in the United States.
"Black History Week" was originally slated for the second week in February in 1926, to recognize the birthdays of two important figures in the fight to end slavery: Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln. In 1976, a presidential proclamation expanded the week to encompass the month of February, in recognition of the significant achievements made by the Black community in all aspects of American society. Click Here
March
Initiated in 2021, Pride Week is an annual celebration that occurs during March. Students of the Pride Alliance Center host programming with the support of several campus partners.
As an effort to be more inclusive of all the identities within our space, the Latino Native American Cultural Center (LNACC) has decided to rename what is formerly known as Latinx in Action Celebration to, the new, LNACC in Action Celebration Week.
Women's History Month celebrates the contributions of women to events in history and society.
Resources
Women's Resource & Action Center
Disability Awareness Month is a month dedicated to increasing awareness of the employment needs and contributions of people with disabilities.
Resources
National Deaf History Month takes place in April.
National Deaf History Month highlights the importance of inclusivity and equal accessibility for those who are deaf, hard of hearing, or experiencing hearing loss.
One Day for Iowa is the University of Iowa's 24-hour online giving day. Hawkeyes from all 50 states and across the globe come together to give back and support students, faculty, research, health care, athletics, and more.
Events/Calendar
Date: To be announced.
Resources
April
Asian Pacific American Heritage Month is celebrated nationally during the month of May to commemorate the first immigrants who came from Japan on May 7, 1843. This month is celebrated in April at the University of Iowa and pays tribute to the contributions that generations of Asian and Pacific Islanders have made to American history, society, and culture.
In March of 2018, The University of Iowa Multicultural and International Student Support and Engagement (MISSE) held its inaugural International Women's Day Summit. The summit is an initiative under MISSE, who has committed to bring the summit's primary source of funding and support. Click Here
During the month of April, the Arab America Foundation formally recognizes the achievements of Arab Americans through the celebration of National Arab American Heritage Month (NAAHM). Across the country, cultural institutions, school districts, municipalities, state legislatures, public servants, and non-profit organizations issue proclamations and engage in special events that celebrate our community’s rich heritage and numerous contributions to society.
Sexual Assault Prevention and Awareness Month aims to educate people, share resources, and bring together communities of survivors, supporters, and more.
Events/Calendar
Date: Begins April 1st
Resources
RAINN (Rape, Abuse, & Incest National Network)
Graduate and Professional Student Appreciation Week celebrates and recognizes students across the country. It shows support and appreciation for their contributions, impacts, and support of the University.
Events/Calendar
Date: To Be Announced.
Resources
May
Click Here
Join us to celebrate your achievements at the annual Black Graduation Celebration at the University of Iowa. All spring, summer, and fall graduates are invited to participate and the entire Iowa community is invited to attend. Please invite your families to recognize your accomplishments.
Since 1995, the Latinx/a/o Graduation Celebration recognition celebration has been a tradition on the University of Iowa campus. The Latinx/a/o Graduation Celebration Committee consists of students, faculty, and staff of the Association of Latinos Moving Ahead (ALMA), the Latino Native American Cultural Center (LNACC), and the UI Latinx Council.
This graduation event is held each year to celebrate the countless achievements of our international students and their accomplishments in reaching graduation.
Since its inception in May of 2000, the Rainbow Graduation Celebration has celebrated the achievements of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer students, as well as their advocates.
Global Accessibility Awareness Day is a day focused on increasing awareness of digital access and inclusion for people who live with disabilities or impairments.