The Iowa Challenge

EXCEL. STRETCH. ENGAGE. CHOOSE. SERVE.

As a University of Iowa student, you become part of the Hawkeye family—students and alumni transformed by their experiences at Iowa. The university asks you to follow their example and rise to the challenge of these five expectations:

About the IOWA Challenge

The IOWA Challenge expresses important principles that help students succeed in the classroom and beyond. It establishes what the University of Iowa expects from its students, and what students should expect from themselves and each other. In essence, it’s a mission statement for UI students.

While the IOWA Challenge concept may be relatively new, the expectations it cites are grounded in University of Iowa tradition. The Challenge offers time-tested strategies for success and underscores values that the university has honored for generations.

The IOWA Challenge message was composed by and for our university community, a grassroots statement of what it means to be a UI student.

It began as an initiative by the University’s Student Success Team, a group of students, faculty, and staff working to enhance undergraduate education. They surveyed the university community to identify essential expectations for UI students, then compiled the responses into a statement of common themes. From there, they worked with groups across campus to refine the statement and give it a name—The IOWA Challenge.

Excel

Academic excellence means setting and meeting high standards for yourself as a student. Faculty, staff, and other students will ask you to work hard and push yourself intellectually. We expect a lot from you; you should expect only the best from yourself and the university.

Stretch

At Iowa, you will find a diversity of people, ideas, opportunities, and experiences. That diversity is one of the benefits of being an Iowa student. Step away from the familiar, try new ideas, experience new cultures, and learn from people different from yourself.

Engage

You will be a more successful student and enjoy yourself more if you spend your time and energy on activities that matter. The University of Iowa offers almost limitless opportunities and the resources to help you become a leader in and out of the classroom. Take advantage of them.

Choose

Every day you make decisions that affect your education and your future. Take your choices seriously and use your freedom wisely. Your Iowa education is what you make it. Make it something you and your university can be proud of.

Serve

As an Iowa student, you are a member of many communities, on and off the campus. You have the opportunity and the responsibility to be a good neighbor and citizen, and to serve the community. Make your community a great place to live.

Dr. Tom Rocklin Meet the Challenge Awards

The Meet The Challenge Awards is a collaboration between the Division of Student Life and the Office of the Provost. Students can nominate themselves or be nominated by a University or community member. Each year one winner is selected for recognition in each of the five IOWA Challenge areas: Excel, Stretch, Engage, Choose, and Serve. Winners will receive a $500 award sponsored by the Office of the Provost and the Division of Student Life and will be honored during the Hawkeye Leadership and Service Awards.

Award nomination form