The Retention and Recruitment committee has the responsibility of fostering and assisting in the development of student retention and recruitment initiatives coordinated Professional and Scientific employees.  These initiatives include but are not limited to the following:

  • Efforts to reduce financial burdens for students in the pursuit of a degree or continuing education.
  • Learning Communities and other efforts which create support networks for students and P&S staff.
  • Efforts which support student recruitment in local communities.
  • Initiatives which eliminate barriers to nontraditional students (including P&S Staff) in the pursuit of a degree or continuing education.
  • Recruitment and Retention grant programs.

Retention and Recruitment Grant Connects with ISU Mission and Strategic Plan

Through the fourteen years of the program's existence, the committee has awarded $419,885 in grants to 190 programs. Highlights of programs that received grants are presented at an Open Forum.

Iowa State University’s 2005-2010 Strategic Plan defines the ISU Mission: To create, share, and apply knowledge to make Iowa and the world a better place.   Also within this plan, five priority areas and accompanying goals for 2005-2010 have been identified to reinforce existing strengths and pursue our vision.   Many of these goals can specifically be addressed through recruitment and retention strategies.  The Recruitment and Retention Grant program requires that programs specifically address the goals of the ISU’s 2005-2010 Strategic Plan.  To view these goals, go to: http://www.iastate.edu/~strategicplan/2010/process/drafts/111704.shtml

These goals for the university allow us to focus and prioritize our efforts for student recruitment and retention.  Since 1994, ISU has recognized this potential by funding the Recruitment and Retention Grant Program. For 2007, $45,000 was allocated for grants to fund programs that foster and promote student recruitment and retention through addressing the goals of ISU’s 2005-2010 Strategic Plan. Funding for 2008  (fiscal year FY 09) has been continued at $45,000.

View Funded Projects

Call for Proposals

Submission deadlines, eligibility, and evaluation criteria for the Fall 2008 awards are available online at the Recruitment and Retention Grants webpage.

Contact Information

If you have questions at any time concerning the committee’s work, you may contact any member of the committee listed on this page by sending a message to the committee address below. Members of the committee are available to discuss any aspect of the program including programs currently in progress or ideas for future proposals.

P&S Council Representative Responsibilities

Committee e-mail:

pands-rrATiastate.edu