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Iowa State Dept. of World Languages & Cultures

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This past summer, nine students earned the LAS High Impact Research Experience Award, which supports undergraduate research by providing students with paid opportunities to work closely with faculty mentors. #LASProud

Among them was Emma Allen ('27 anthropology), who explored the complexities of free speech on college campuses under the mentorship of Abby Dubisar, associate professor in the Department of English. Through the experience, Allen examined the nuances surrounding freedom of expression in higher education and its impact on everyday life.

“Being able to follow my own interests and carve out my own research plan was simultaneously daunting and exciting,” said Allen. “In my future plans, I hope to continue to explore other research interests in graduate school and beyond.” 👏

Click the link in bio to read more about Emma Allen and other undergraduate researchers in LAS. 🔗 Portrait of a person wearing a light denim jacket over a black top, standing in front of a background featuring handwritten historical text and a pencil graphic. by @wlc.isu

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7 days ago

Erik Ladner’s (Teaching Professor of Spanish) SPAN 3040: Spanish for Global Professionals course earned the Quality Matters (QM) Certification Mark following a rigorous review process. The QM Certification Mark is the internationally recognized symbol of online and blended course design quality and represents Dr. Ladner’s ongoing commitment to creating learning environments that provide learners with a clear pathway to success.

The certification is the result of Dr. Ladner’s dedication to continuous improvement, including the innovative work of CELT Instructional Designer Catelyn Janda. The course is now listed on the QM directory of certified courses.

“The Quality Matters Official Review provided the opportunity to reflect on this course and examine it from the learner perspective,” said Ladner. “From accessibility to learner engagement to assessments, the review used internationally-recognized Standards and best practices to examine critical course components related to the learner experience and ultimately learner success.”

The QM Official Review provided independent validation of the quality, learner-focused course design found in SPAN 3040. Reviews are conducted by QM-Certified Reviewers and use the Quality Matters Rubric and associated Standards, which are based on research and best practices. A course earns the QM Certification Mark once it meets QM Rubric Standards at the 85% threshold or better and meets all Essential Standards. Dr. Ladner’s course surpassed this threshold, achieving a 100% meeting of QM standards.

https://www.qualitymatters.org/reviews-certifications/qm-certified-courses

About Quality Matters:
Grounded in research. Driven by best practices. A community that puts learners first. Quality Matters (QM) is the global organization leading quality assurance in online and innovative digital teaching and learning environments. It provides a scalable quality assurance system for online and blended learning used within and across organizations. When you see QM Recognition and Certification Marks on courses or programs, it means they have met QM Course or Program Quality Standards in a rigorous review process. by @wlc.isu

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22 days ago

Want to improve your Mandarin conversation skills? The Chinese program is holding a “Mandarin Chat” on Wednesdays from 4:00pm-5:00pm this semester in the LSRC (Pearson 3142). All individuals are welcome to join! #Chinese #IowaStateUniversity by @wlc.isu

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22 days ago

The French program is hosting a “French Conversation Table” every Tuesday from 3:30pm-4:30pm this semester in the LSRC (Pearson 3142). All are welcome regardless of French proficiency! #WorldLanguagesAndCultures #IowaStateUniversity by @wlc.isu

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23 days ago

Curious about studying abroad? Ask the WLC Student Ambassadors at one of their tabling sessions this month! 🌎✈️ #StudyAbroad #StudentAmbassadors #IowaStateUniversity by @wlc.isu

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a month ago

Join WLC on Tuesday, September 29th from 4:00pm-6:00pm at CyBowl and Billiards, located on the ground floor of the Memorial Union! Along with bowling, attendees can play billiards, board games and enjoy popcorn! Find you community at Iowa State with WLC! #WorldLanguagesAndCultures #IowaStateUniversity taken in CyBowl & Billiards by @wlc.isu

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a month ago

Meet the WLC Student Ambassadors at their “Welcome Back to WLC” event on Wednesday, September 16th from 11:00am-1:00pm outside the east entrance of Pearson Hall (rain location is inside the east entrance of Pearson)! Learn more about WLC majors/minors, study abroad programs and other opportunities within WLC! #WorldLanguagesAndCultures #IowaStateUniversity taken in Pearson Hall by @wlc.isu

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a month ago

Join the German program for “Kaffeeklatsch” (German Coffee Hour) on Mondays from 2:15pm-3:15pm in the LSRC (Pearson 3142)! All are welcome to attend! #German #IowaStateUniversity by @wlc.isu

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a month ago

Congratulations to Kathryn Gourley (‘78 & ‘90 Anthropology) on being this year’s recipient of the WLC Distinguished Alumni Award!

Kathryn Marley Gourley has spent her career protecting and preserving Iowa’s rich historical and archaeological heritage. After earning bachelor’s and master’s degrees in anthropology from Iowa State University, she built a distinguished career in archaeology, historic preservation, and public history.

Early in her career, Gourley worked in archaeology and historic preservation for engineering firms, government agencies, and as a private consultant. Her graduate research at Iowa State examined the displacement of the Meskwaki and Sauk people during Iowa’s territorial period, reflecting a lifelong interest in understanding and preserving the stories that shaped the state.

For more than 30 years, Gourley served the State Historical Society of Iowa in a variety of leadership roles, including staff archaeologist, field historian, grants manager, education and outreach manager, and review and compliance coordinator. Through these positions, she worked with communities across the state to protect historic resources and expand public appreciation for Iowa history.

Even in retirement, Gourley remains an active advocate for historic preservation. Among her most meaningful accomplishments was helping secure a $1 million Save America’s Treasures grant that supported restoration efforts at Fort Atkinson, a project completed in 2024. In recognition of her contributions to the field, she received the Iowa Archeological Society’s Keyes-Orr Award for Outstanding Service to Iowa Archaeology in 2021.

https://alumni.las.iastate.edu/awards/las-alumni-awards/ by @wlc.isu

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a month ago

Study abroad scholarships help make opportunities like Catherine Holdman’s (Political Science, International Studies) summer in Spain possible!

“Traveling to Valencia, Spain, this past summer was one of the best experiences of my life. I had not only learned about a new country, but also more about myself and what I want out of my life. Staying with my incredible host family, going to school, and traveling on the weekends with friends were some of the best parts about my entire trip. Barcelona was my favorite city that we traveled to; my closest friends from my trip, Max and Kennedy, and I got to experience the art, music, architecture, food and city life for a whole weekend. The train ride to Northern Spain had the most amazing mountain sights, and our hostel in Barcelona had a terrace view we would never forget. My entire experience in Spain highlighted how much I truly want to travel in my 20s. I have even thought about having an apartment somewhere in Europe to travel back to during my time off from work in the future. I have never traveled outside of the USA before, and I could not think of a better way to experience Europe for the first time.” taken in Valencia, Spain by @wlc.isu

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2 months ago

Congratulations to the Spring 2026 LAS Dean’s High Impact Awards for Undergraduate Research recipients! 🎉 by @wlc.isu

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2 months ago

Lena Menefee-Cook (‘21 performing arts, international studies, art and design) is taking the interdisciplinary skills she learned at Iowa State overseas this fall as the recipient of a prestigious 2026-2027 Fulbright U.S. Student Program English Teaching Assistant Award to Croatia. 🇭🇷

As a Fulbright recipient, Menefee-Cook will represent Iowa State University and the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences while serving as a teaching assistant at the University of Zagreb Faculty of Teacher Education, Croatia’s leading institution for preparing preschool and primary school educators. #LASProud

“Majors in the humanities teach you how to learn and think critically, communicate effectively, invest in your own projects and others, and take initiative,” said Menefee-Cook. “All of those are invaluable transferable skills that will allow you to pursue a wide range of career opportunities and provide you the flexibility to pivot when you need.”

Your Cyclone story didn't end at graduation. Click the link in bio and let us know where your path has taken you. 🔗 A person with shoulder-length wavy hair wearing a gray sweater poses against a black background in a studio portrait, with soft lighting highlighting the face and upper body. by @wlc.isu

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2 months ago