At the University of Iowa, student employment is more than just a paycheck—it’s a powerful tool for student success, personal development, and community building.
Through intentional programs like Iowa GROW® and the Hawkeye Work Grant, the Division of Student Life (DSL)—the largest student employer on campus—is creating high-impact, relationship-rich experiences that support students holistically.
2024-2025 Impact Report
This article is part of the Division of Student Life Impact Report. Click here to view all articles from this report.
"Student employment is one of the most powerful tools we have to support student success." said Sarah Hansen, vice president for student life. "When we invest in meaningful work experiences, we’re helping students build confidence, develop future-ready leadership skills, and deepen their relationships at Iowa. I’m proud that our institution recognizes student employment as a retention and leadership development tool - it is highly impactful in both arenas."
Iowa Grow®: connecting work and learning
Iowa GROW® (Guided Reflection on Work) is a nationally recognized model that transforms student jobs into deep learning experiences. Through structured conversations with supervisors, students reflect on how their work connects to their academics, career goals, and personal development. Students echoed these findings in their own words. One shared, “My job has been such a blessing! One positive experience is the mentorship from my supervisor. He has taken time to help me set goals and push me further in my development as a professional and as a human.”
Another student reflected, “Working as a student employee has not only helped me build connections with others at the university, but has brought me some of the best friends I have ever made.”
Relationships—between peers, mentors, and supervisors—are at the heart of what makes student employment so impactful, creating a sense of belonging and support that extends far beyond the job itself.
Hawkeye Work Grant: Supporting access and retention
94%
of GROW participants said their job helped them develop time management skills, compared to 85% of non-GROW participants.
90%
said they improved their critical thinking skills, compared to 78% of non-GROW participants.
83%
said their supervisor helped them make connections between work and student life, compared to just 46% of non-GROW participants.
The Hawkeye Work Grant supports first-year students with financial need by combining on-campus jobs with grants of $750–$1,000. In 2024–2025, 156 students earned over $248,000 in wages and received $113,000 in grants. Participants consistently show higher GPAs and retention rates than non-participant peers.
Students work 8–10 hours weekly in dining roles (market places, retail operations, catering), gaining real-world skills in teamwork, communication, and leadership. Plans for fall 2025 include expanding outreach and streamlining onboarding during Becoming a Hawkeye days.
This program plays an important role in supporting student retention. It helps students acclimate to campus, build relationships, and feel supported— financially, academically, and socially.
Von Stange, assistant vice president for University Housing and Dining
“Our student employees learn how to lead, communicate, and solve problems in real time,” said Don Stanwick, director of Univeristy Dining. “These are the kinds of skills that employers look for—and our students are developing them every day.”
At the core of the transformation is the relationship between student employees and their supervisors. GROW® conversations create space for reflection, helping students connect their work to their academics, career goals, and personal growth. The guided reflections turn routine tasks into meaningful learning opportunities, making employment more than just a job—it’s a catalyst for confidence, skill-building, and purpose.
Tamara Mejia, a student participating in the program, said the following about the impact of the HWG, “The HWG gives me less stress, I feel stable and composed while budgeting. I really like working here (Burge Marketplace). Work is fun and adaptable. I really like moving between stations and everyone is so nice."
“We want every student to know that working on campus isn’t just convenient—it’s transformative,” said Hansen. “Whether through GROW® conversations or grant-supported jobs, we’re helping students succeed in college and beyond.”
Our greatest impact comes through partnership. We are grateful for the support of University College, the Office of the Provost, and the Office of Student Financial Aid in making the Hawkeye Work Grant a reality.
