Welcome to FundISU, Iowa State University's crowdfunding platform that turns innovation into impact. Your gift can help bring new initiatives to life, support students and faculty, and advance Iowa State’s mission to create, share, and apply knowledge that makes Iowa and the world a better place.
Projects
Psychology Club 2026
By Psychology Club
Help the Psychology Club raise money for their yearly trip to the Midwest Psychosocial Association conference!
Help the Psychology Club raise money for their yearly trip to the Midwest Psychosocial Association conference! Psychology Club <strong>Who are we and what do we do?</strong>
Psychology Club provides its members with the opportunity to connect with other psychology students and faculty, develop their professional skills, and enhance their learning opportunities outside of the classroom. We welcome all students, including psychology majors, minors, and those simply interested in learning more about the field. Our club's goal is to provide members with both fun and educational meetings, covering a wide range of topics. During this fall semester, our emphasis is on introducing our members to the various opportunities available at Iowa State and allowing students to connect with each other and faculty. Some of the meetings we have planned so far are Meet the Psychology Professors, Psychology Trivia Night, and True Crime Explored Through Forensic Psychology!
<strong>What is the Midwestern Psychological Association Conference?</strong>
The MPA conference is an incredible opportunity for our members to take part in! It takes place over the course of 3 days (April 15-17th for 2027) at the Palmer House Hilton in Chicago, IL. The purpose of this conference is to share the latest research across all domains of psychology. It features exclusive talks and discussions from leading psychologists from all across the United States, poster presentations allowing students to share research from their universities, and networking events to connect with other psychology students and faculty. The conference brings together students, professionals, scholars, and practitioners who want to share their research, learn about other fields of study, and connect with others who have similar interests!
<a href="https://midwesternpsych.org">https://midwesternpsych.org</a>
<strong>What events and activities can students attend?</strong>
<strong>Talks and Speakers:</strong> The conference features exclusive keynote addresses and engaging talks that students can attend. They are delivered by many of the most respected and innovative psychologists in the United States, each sharing their latest findings and insights.
<strong>Workshops</strong>: MPA offers hands-on workshops focused on strengthening the teaching of psychology, refining research methods, and mastering advanced statistics, giving attendees practical tools they can take back to their own classrooms and laboratories.
<strong>Papers and Presentations:</strong> Throughout the conference, students can explore papers and poster presentations that cover an impressive variety of topics in psychology, from cutting-edge experimental research to applied practices in diverse settings.
<strong>How d</strong><strong>o stude</strong><strong>nts benefit from attending MPA?</strong>
Students who attend the MPA conference have the opportunity to network with hundreds of industry professionals, improve their professional skills, and learn about the many different topics of research that are being studied by other students. Any student who is in a research lab at Iowa State can also showcase the research that they have assisted with and gain valuable presenting experience!
<strong>Thank you!</strong>
Your generous donation will go towards transportation and hotel expenses for students who will be attending the 2027 MPA Conference in Chicago, Illinois. With your support, Psychology Club students can have the opportunity to learn more about the different fields within psychology research!
<strong>Get connected!</strong>
Learn more about the Iowa State Psychology Club meetings, activities, and MPA on our Instagram page @psychclubisu! Or feel free to contact anyone under the "Project Owners" section on this page.
<strong>Our ISU Student Organization Website:</strong> <a href="https://www.stuorg.iastate.edu/psych">https://www.stuorg.iastate.edu/psych</a>
If you have questions or would like to discuss your gift with an ISU Foundation staff member, please email fundisu@foundation.iastate.edu or call 515-294-8616.
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Student Affairs Graduate Association 2026
By SAGA
Help the Student Affairs Graduate Association plan events and attend professional development opportunities!
Help the Student Affairs Graduate Association plan events and attend professional development opportunities! SAGA <strong>Meet the SAGA Team!</strong>
Hi y'all! We are the SAGA executive board! Thank you to all who have supported our program so far! Our program is unique in that it is designed for graduate students and their success, and we are a small but dedicated program. Each of us works on campus for an assistantship, but many do not provide enough professional development funds for conferences. Our organization aims to raise funds for professional development opportunities that align with our program. We would not be who we are without our support systems and our excellent alumni network. Thank you for supporting us, whether it's through financial contributions, online shares, or general moral support. We appreciate all of you!
<strong>Who We Are</strong>
The Student Affairs Graduate Association is an organization run by graduate students in the Master's Program in Student Affairs. The purpose of this organization is to bring together the two-year cohorts to discuss current topics and issues in the Student Affairs world, share our experiences within the program, and support one another throughout our time at Iowa State.
<strong>Why We Are Fundraising</strong>
We aim to raise funds to offer more and better professional development opportunities, including conferences, guest speakers, and panel discussions. This is important to us, as we continually seek opportunities for our master's students to expand their knowledge and enhance their skills as Student Affairs professionals. Our cross-cohort days provide an opportunity for us to visit other colleges and universities, gain exposure to various student affairs programs, and experience how structures function on different campuses.
<strong>Meet the Faculty</strong>
To better understand the work we do, we'd like to introduce our faculty members and their areas of study.
<strong>Dr. Ann Gansemer-Topf</strong>
Ann M. Gansemer-Topf, Ph.D. (she/her), is the Director of the School of Education and Frances S. and Arthur L. Wallace Professor. Her research focuses on the micro (student) and macro (institutional, state, and federal) factors contributing to student success. She is also interested in using assessment methods to understand best practices for effective teaching and learning and program implementation.
<strong>Dr. Robert Reason</strong>
Robert D. Reason, Ph.D. (he/him) is Professor of Higher Education and Student Affairs; he also serves as Associate Dean for Undergraduate Academic Affairs for the College of Human Sciences. Before assuming his current position at ISU, he was a faculty member at Penn State University from 2003-2011 and a research scientist at Penn State’s Center for the Study of Higher Education. Dr. Reason brings expertise in multi-institutional studies of student success, particularly the success of first-year students
<strong>Dr. Rachel Smith</strong>
Rachel A. Smith, Ph.D. (she/her), is Associate Professor of Higher Education and Student Affairs and is currently serving as the Director of Graduate Education in the School of Education. She is interested in student transitions and practices that engage students in learning with their peers, faculty, and staff. Her research focuses on how colleges and universities can design environments where students form networks of academic and social relationships that facilitate involvement, learning, and success in college and afterward.
<strong>Dr. TJ Stewart</strong>
Terah (TJ) Stewart, Ph.D. (he/him), is Associate Professor of Higher Education and Student Affairs and the Student Affairs Program Coordinator. His research and writing focus on people and populations who are hyper-marginalized and/or those who have stigmatized identities. Specifically, he explores the realities of college students with stigmatized identities, including how identity informs their outcomes and structural barriers to their success and well-being. He also studies identity-based student activism and power-conscious approaches to research.
<strong>Dr. Lindsay Jarrat</strong>
Lindsay Jarratt, Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor in Higher Education and Student Affairs. She has 15 years of experience in student affairs and administration, including in residence life and assessment. Her research employs a sociological lens to examine how higher education structures and practices shape student experiences. She teaches classes on administration, academic issues, and student development. This is Lindsay's first year at Iowa State University; she is joining us from the University of Iowa but is excited to be a Cyclone!
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