Funding strains, policy shifts, and campus changes across Iowa education

Iowa’s K-12 and higher education systems are undergoing simultaneous financial and structural pressure, from a modest 2% state funding increase and widespread enrollment declines triggering budget guarantees to Iowa City schools planning $8 million in cuts and Linn-Mar seeking new leadership. At the university level, the Iowa Board of Regents is weighing closure of six undergraduate majors, facility demolitions, and radiology upgrades, while lawmakers advance a ban on DEI offices at some private institutions. Amid these shifts, students are stepping into community roles, from pharmacy students promoting medication adherence to Cornell College finance students offering free tax help and learning-center spotlights highlighting individual learners. Together, the stories show an education landscape balancing austerity, policy change, and community engagement.