Morningside recently received an award from the Iowa Arts Council to support implementation of programming designed to utilize the arts to improvement of mental health. In this initiative, monthly public campus events will be created, promoted, and delivered that are designed to provide participants with the opportunity to learn how to incorporate the performing arts into practices that can improve mental health. Additionally, this funding will be used to develop and host a 1-day mental health, wellness, and arts festival on Morningside’s campus for area high school and college students. This initiative is being led by Ryan Allen, Coordinator of Collaborative Partnerships.

This award will fund renovations and equipment purchase for Eppley Auditorium and Allee Gymnasium. These improvements will enable significantly improved sound and lighting in these buildings, each of which hosts multiple public events each year in athletics, performing arts, and other assorted functions. This will result in an enhanced experience for audience members, performers, and officials. This initiative is being led by Heath Weber, Dean of the School of Visual and Performing Arts.

The Morningside University Aviation program was recently awarded $10,000 to support a research project investigating human performance in aviaton. This project, called EYES (Eye-tracking for Youth Engagement and Safety), will use advanced eye-tracking technology to better understand how students process critical information in aviation training environments, with the ultimate goal of improving instruction, performance, and safety. This project is being led by Harley Waters, Assistant Professor of Aviation.

This award will fund the expansion of a previously funded Level 1 IUSE project designed to implement Project-Based Learning (PBL) research course experiences for incoming Biology and Chemistry majors. This program, called NextGen STEM, is being expanded to include two cohorts of incoming Biology and Chemistry majors (entering Fall 2026 and Fall 2027 respectively), each cohort size will increase to 26 students, and all incoming Biology and Chemistry majors during these semesters will be eligible to apply. NextGen STEM students will learn how to develop their research skills and how to develop agency and self-efficacy towards scientific research through open ended exploration over a two-semester course sequence. Additionally, students will participate in a funded travel experience abroad to conduct citizen/community-based scientific work during a May Term. This project is being led by Brian McFarland, Dean of the School of Arts and Sciences, Chad Leugers, Associate Professor of Biology, Anni Moore, Head of the Department of Natural Sciences, and Kim Christopherson, Professor of Psychology.

This funding is being used to purchase equipment to enhance the education of health science students, including but not limited to Nursing, Pre-Health, and Exercise Science students. Two major pieces of equipment will be purchased with this funding: A) An Anatomage Human Anatomy Table, which is an 84 inch virtual cadaver that can be observed and manipulated to interact with digitized images of real human cadavers, in a variety of forms and positions. This will be immensely helpful for any Morningside student intending to study health sciences. B) a GE LOGIQ ultrasound system, which is an advanced imaging platform that allows a broad range of internal anatomical imaging that can be used in a variety of contexts, such as abdominal, musculoskeletal, OB/GYN, and vascular imaging. This will provide a higher level of expertise and training for Nursing students as they enter clinical contexts. This initiative is led by Jackie Barber, Dean of the Nylen School of Nursing, Aaron Bunker, Professor of Biology, Kurt Spearing, Associate Professor of Biology, and Greg Seier, Assistant Professor of Exercise Science.

This funding will be used to support the development and implementation of community-based Performing Arts events, such as Christmas at Morningside and High School Honor events. The presence of these events greatly enriches the cultural scene for both the campus and regional communities, fosters artistic collaboration between Morningside and community partners, and provides our students with the means and opportunity to develop their talents in the performing arts. This initiative is led by Heath Weber, Dean of the School of Visual and Performing Arts.

The National Science Foundation (NSF) has awarded Morningside University a $2,765,686 grant to support the expansion of its Office of Sponsored Programs. The funding is part of the NSF’s Growing Research Access for Nationally Transformative Equity and Diversity (GRANTED) initiative, which seeks to dismantle systemic barriers in the U.S. research enterprise by enhancing institutional research support and service capacity.

This significant investment will bolster Morningside’s ability to facilitate and sustain research activity, with a particular emphasis on:
● Building regional partnerships
● Fostering collaborative research initiatives
● Strengthening internal research infrastructure

A key goal of the grant is to implement Research Ecosystem Integration and Siouxland Partnership Expansion (RISE), an initiative aimed at transforming how Morningside and its regional partners engage with research. The project will focus on increasing access to research resources, improving administrative infrastructure, and cultivating long-term collaborations across institutions.

The grant is scheduled to run from January 1, 2025, through December 31, 2029, and is expected to establish a foundation for sustainable growth that benefits the university and the broader Siouxland region long after the grant’s conclusion. This initiative is led by Brian McFarland, Director of Sponsored Programs, Kelly Chaney, Dean of the Walker School of Education, and Darrel Sandall, Dean of Business.

Morningside University has been awarded a $500,000 grant from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation to fund a three-year humanities research initiative titled “At Home in Siouxland: A Humanities Collaboratory for Displacement and Belonging.” The project will run from 2025 to 2028 and was selected as one of only 30 proposals nationwide—chosen from over 470 submissions—reflecting the program’s highly competitive and prestigious nature.

Led by Dr. Vickie J. Larsen, the Esther Mackintosh Endowed Scholar of the Humanities and the project’s Principal Investigator and Director, the collaboration will explore how diverse communities have made Siouxland their home, using tools and perspectives from across the humanities.

“As a team, we will bring the study of literature, music, theater, political theory, Spanish, history, and the digital humanities to the question of how people have made our city and its region their home,” said Dr. Larsen.

With Mellon Foundation support, the project will:
● Develop new humanities-centered academic courses
● Launch community-driven research initiatives
● Host pedagogical workshops focused on themes of displacement and belonging

This grant reinforces Morningside’s deep commitment to regional engagement and the humanities.

Morningside University has been awarded a $396,001 grant from the National Science Foundation’s Improving Undergraduate STEM Education (IUSE) program for a new initiative titled HUMBLE: Helping Undergraduates at Morningside Build Scientific Literacy. The project began in 2024 and focuses on enhancing students’ understanding of scientific uncertainty and their ability to communicate it effectively.

The HUMBLE initiative has two central research goals:

1. Investigating how integrating the concept of scientific uncertainty into existing STEM
   courses impacts students’ comprehension of that uncertainty.
2. Examining how this integration influences students’ ability to communicate about
   scientific uncertainty in both academic and public settings.

By improving scientific literacy and communication skills, the project aims to better prepare undergraduate students for careers in STEM fields—skills that will ultimately have a positive impact on society.

The initiative also includes a strong community engagement component. “Using Morningside faculty and students as ambassadors, we will seek to enhance the development of scientific literacy for the community,” said Brian McFarland, Director of Sponsored Programs. The project team looks forward to sharing their methods and findings widely to extend the program’s reach beyond campus.

This project is led by Brandon Boesch, Associate Professor of Philosophy, Elizabeth Coody, Associate Professor of Religious Studies, Aaron Bunker, Professor of Biology, Shannon Claxton, Associate VP for Academic Affairs, and Brian McFarland, Dean of the School of Arts and Sciences.

Morningside University’s Nylen School of Nursing has been awarded a $2.3 million grant over four years from the Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA) through its Advanced Nursing Education Workforce (ANEW) program. The grant, which began in 2023, supports the training and graduation of Advanced Practice Registered Nursing (APRN) students, with a focus on preparing practitioners to serve in rural and underserved areas.

The funding will be used to:
● Provide tuition and other eligible support to APRN trainees
● Build and expand academic-clinical partnerships that support high-quality clinical training
in rural settings
● Develop and sustain a robust network of clinical faculty and preceptors to guide students
through real-world healthcare environments

This investment will enhance the pipeline of well-prepared nurse practitioners and other APRNs who are equipped to meet the growing healthcare needs of rural communities—aligning with Morningside’s mission of service and professional excellence in healthcare education.

This project is led by Jackie Barber, Dean of the Nylen School of Nursing, Kari Varner, Associate Professor of Nursing, Samantha Rozeboom, Assistant Professor of Nursing, Angela Keller, Assistant Professor of Nursing, and Brenda Wimmer, Head of the Department of Graduate Nursing.

In 2025, Morningside University received a $2,500 grant to implement the “Stop the Bleed” program on campus. This nationally recognized awareness campaign and educational initiative is designed to empower bystanders to act as immediate responders during bleeding emergencies. Through hands-on training, participants learn to recognize life-threatening bleeding and perform life-saving interventions—helping to stabilize victims before emergency medical services arrive.

Additionally, in 2022, Morningside was awarded a $2,500 grant from the United Airlines Trust Fund to support the purchase of automated external defibrillators (AEDs). AEDs are critical tools in responding to cardiac emergencies and can significantly improve survival rates when used promptly and correctly.

Together, these two grants enhance Morningside’s emergency response readiness and reinforce our dedication to campus safety and community well-being. These initiatives reflect Morningside’s commitment to ensuring a safe and prepared campus environment for all students, faculty, and staff. Each of these initiatives. Each of these initiatives was led by Brett Lyon, Director of Safety and Security.

Beginning in 2021, Morningside University was awarded a $999,337 grant from the National Science Foundation to address the growing national need for skilled scientists, mathematicians, engineers, and technicians. This initiative specifically targets high-achieving, low-income students with demonstrated financial need, supporting them through scholarships and academic support.

The project is designed to strengthen the STEM pipeline by increasing first-to-second-year retention and improving graduation rates among STEM scholars. Key goals of the initiative include:
● Enhancing students’ readiness for STEM careers or graduate study
● Integrating civic engagement opportunities into STEM coursework
● Providing mentoring, academic support, and hands-on experiences that build both scientific and professional competencies

Through this program, Morningside aims to empower underrepresented students in STEM fields, helping them thrive academically while preparing to contribute meaningfully to a dynamic and evolving workforce.

This project is led by Anni Moore, Head of the Department of Natural Sciences and Brian McFarland, Dean of the School of Arts and Sciences, with previous contributions from Randy Campbell, Professor of Computer Science, and Valerie Hennings, former Associate Professor of Political Science.

Morningside University has been awarded a $2.3 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education through the English Language Acquisition National Professional Development Program. This significant funding will support the Sharon Walker School of Education in launching Project CONNECT-ESL, a comprehensive initiative to enhance teacher preparation and support English learners (ELs) across Iowa.

The grant will enable Morningside to offer flexible baccalaureate and master’s degree programs with English as a Second Language (ESL) endorsements, along with ongoing professional development and training. These programs are specifically designed to increase access for
educators in rural areas, helping them better serve EL students in high-need communities.

“This grant is meant to better serve English learners in Iowa by providing educators who are located in more rural areas with greater access to flexible professional development and degree and endorsement programs,” said Dr. Kelly Chaney, Dean of the Sharon Walker School of Education.

This program, led by Kelly Chaney, Dean of the Walker School of Education, led to the training and certification of over 150 teachers in ESL in the state of Iowa.

In 2022, Morningside University was awarded $142,797 by the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) Humanities Connections program to launch a three-year initiative titled “Rooted: Integrated Humanities and Agriculture.” The project’s central goal is to develop and implement an agricultural humanities minor, establishing a new interdisciplinary agriculture and humanities pathway that explores the intersection of humanistic inquiry with agriculture and food studies.

At the heart of the program is a place-based, humanities-driven exploration of rurality—examining what it means to live and work close to the land in rural communities and on working farms. Designed to resonate with the experiences and values of rural students, the minor supports Morningside’s mission to “cultivate a passion for lifelong learning and a dedication to ethical leadership and civic responsibility.”

Key Initiatives of the “Rooted” Program Include:

1. Cultural Studies: Courses and projects that examine local culture and historical
   phenomena as primary contexts for learning.
2. Ecological Inquiry: Opportunities for students to explore nature with a focus on local
   ecology and environmental systems.
3. Community Engagement: Tackling real-world problems and community issues through collaborative, interdisciplinary approaches grounded in the humanities.

By blending humanistic perspectives with agricultural knowledge and rural lived experience, the Rooted minor is designed to deepen student engagement with both local communities and critical global issues related to food, sustainability, identity, and place.

This project was led by Leslie Werden, Head of the Department of Humanities, Brandon Boesch, Associate Professor of Philosophy, Elizabeth Coody, Associate Professor of ReligiousStudies, Jennifer Peterson, Associate Professor of English, and Thomas Paulsen, Dean of the School of Agriculture and Aviation.

Between 2022-2024, Morningside was the recipient of three individual awards from HRSA’s Nurse Faculty Loan Program, a program designed to provide student loan relief for students engaging in advanced study for future careers as Nursing providers. These funds were used at Morningside to provide student loan relief to students pursuing their Doctorate of Nurse Practitioner degrees. These funds proved to be immensely helpful in facilitating the training and preparation of these professionals to better serve the health needs of the community. These initiatives were led by Jackie Barber, Dean of the Nylen School of Nursing.

The Iowa Space Grant Consortium awarded Morningside University a $20,000 grant to establish its “Advancing Vigorous Instruction for Aviation Training Excellence” (AVIATE) initiative. This new program is designed to strengthen aviation education through the development of innovative, hands-on learning modules. The modules that were added to the University’s aviation program, a course on drone management and operations taught in the applied agricultural and food studies department and a course for future teachers on teaching natural and agricultural sciences. The university will also offer the modules to K-12 schools and organizations like the Air and Transportation Museum to encourage young people’s interest in STEM education and careers

“AVIATE represents a significant step forward in our mission to provide our students with the best possible education in aviation. By creating these innovative learning modules, we will enhance student preparation for successful careers in the aviation industry while also inspiring the next generation of scientists and engineers in our community.”
-Dr. Thomas Paulsen, Dean of Agriculture and Aviation at Morningside University

Through AVIATE, Morningside aims to elevate the quality and relevance of its aviation training, ensuring students are well-equipped to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving aerospace sector. The initiative’s primary focus is on transforming aviation and STEM education for students across both primary and higher education levels—creating a broader, lasting impact on the future STEM workforce pipeline.

This project was led by Thomas Paulsen, Dean of the School of Agriculture and Aviation, and Larry Brockshus, Assistant Professor of Aviation.

In 2023, Interfaith America awarded Morningside $16,000 through its Briding the Gap program. Interfaith America is an organization dedicated to the promotion and encouragement of religious pluralism and cooperation, and its Bridging the Gap program provides means for campus representatives to provide training to the rest of the campus community in how to promote civil discourse between parties with differing viewpoints, in particular on topics that are often controversial and can promote passionate responses. This funding was used to provide training to multiple populations at Morningside, with the goal of enabling our campus community to have civilized, productive conversations. This project was led by Elizabeth Coody, Associate Professor of Religious Studies, and Andrew Nelson, Campus Chaplain.

From 2021 to 2023, Morningside University was awarded $299,359 through the National Science Foundation’s Improving Undergraduate STEM Education (I-USE) program to support the PERSIST initiative—Project- and Place-based Research Experiences into STEM Instruction to Support Tenacity. This initiative aimed to increase the persistence and academic success of first-generation and rural undergraduate students majoring in Biology or Chemistry.

The program developed and implemented a two-year pathway of four general education courses focused on project-based and place-based learning. These courses centered around real-world STEM themes such as:
● Water quality and availability
● Prairie restoration
● Food safety

The goal was to engage students in authentic research experiences that were locally relevant and collaborative, beginning early in their college careers. To evaluate the program’s effectiveness, a control group of STEM students—who participated in traditional lecture-based instruction—was also included in the study.

Key Findings:
● PERSIST students demonstrated higher academic performance than their peers in the
control group.
● They showed a greater tendency to enroll in advanced STEM coursework.
● PERSIST participants exhibited stronger engagement in research beyond the standard
curriculum.
● The program was particularly effective in supporting persistence in STEM majors among first-generation and rural students.

These outcomes suggest that integrating project- and place-based experiences into early STEM education can significantly improve retention, engagement, and success for students from underrepresented backgrounds.

This project was led by Brian McFarland, Dean of Arts and Sciences, Chad Leugers, Associate Professor of Biology, Kim Christopherson, Professor of Psychology, Tim Sesterhenn, former Associate Professor of Biology, John Helms, former Associate Professor of Chemistry, and Mitch Keller, former Assistant Professor of Mathematics.

In 2022 Morningside was the recipient of an equipment grant from the Roy J. Carver Charitable Trust. This funding was used to purchase major instrumentation for the Biology and Chemistry programs that would help facilitate training of students in cutting-edge scientific analysis in Biology and Chemistry, both in course and research settings. Funds were used to purchase a Gas Chromatograph/Mass Spectrometer (GC/MS), High-Performance Liquid Chromatograph (HPLC), Thermogravimetric Analyzer (TGA), and multiple portable Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) machines. This initiative was led by Brian McFarland, Dean of the School of Arts and Sciences, Anni Moore, Head of the Department of Natural Sciences, and John Helms, former Associate Professor of Chemistry.