A message from the DEO
Dear Alumni,
As we reflect on the Fall 2025 semester, I am pleased to share several exciting developments for the School of Earth, Environment, and Sustainability (SEES). Most notably, as of July 1, 2025, SEES officially became a new School within the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. This milestone reflects the strength and growth of our programs and our shared commitment to addressing pressing environmental and Earth-systems challenges through teaching, research, and outreach.
This year also marked the arrival of several new faculty members who are already making important contributions to the School. We welcomed Dr. Matt Tibbits and Dr. Daniel Fobi as instructional-track faculty, and Dr. Hang Chen and Dr. Adam Pollack as tenure-track faculty. Their expertise enhances our instructional capacity and research breadth, and we are delighted to have them as part of the SEES community.
Looking ahead, we are actively recruiting for the future. Searches are underway for three new faculty members to join SEES in Fall 2026, with positions in ecology, GIS, and solid Earth geology. These hires will further strengthen our interdisciplinary mission and support the continued growth of our academic programs.
Our physical spaces are evolving as well. This fall, we completed renovations to the lobby and student lounge that were made possible by a gift from geology alum Leon Aden (BS '80, MS '82) and his wife, Vicki Aden (BSE '81), creating more welcoming and functional areas for students and visitors. In addition, CLAS has funded significant renovations slated for summer 2026, which will include a new administrative suite and updated faculty office spaces—investments that will support collaboration and better serve our community.
Thank you to our alumni and friends for your continued engagement and support during this period of transition and growth. We are excited about what lies ahead for SEES. Stay connected with us on Instagram and LinkedIn and visit the news section on our website to explore the latest stories. Or connect with other SEES alumni on the new SEES alumni LinkedIn.
Warm regards,
Dr. Emily Finzel
Professor and DEO (Chair)
William M. Furnish Faculty Fellow
Undergrads play key role in preserving mastodon bones
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Alumni Advisory Board Spring Meeting
Join us for the School of Earth, Environment, and Sustainability Alumni Advisory Board Spring Meeting on April 10, 2026, held online via Zoom. This is a great opportunity to reconnect, hear updates from SEES, and share your ideas for the future of our community. All alumni are warmly invited to attend!
Indonesian ambassador returns to his roots during visit to the University of Iowa
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DEO discusses vision for the School of Earth, Environment and Sustainability
From adding new faculty to offering hands-on experiences for students, professor and DEO Emily Finzel shares how the school is opening new doors and sparking fresh ideas in environmental research.
CSSI researcher affiliate Caglar Koylu traces movement across time and space
SEES associate professor Caglar Koylu uses handcrafted methodologies to study geographical and social phenomena, including movement across the American frontier.