The Iowa Sciences Academy (ISA) has awarded Physics and Astronomy Graduate Student Jacob Payne a Community Engagement Graduate Assistantship for 2023-2024.

The ISA, part of the University of Iowa College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Outreach and Engagement Hub, is home to a range of federally funded, donor funded, and institutionally funded programs that support the success of undergraduate students interested in research and scientific communication. Through ISA programs, students have access to hands-on research, professional development, and scientific outreach opportunities.

In addition to teaching, ISA graduate assistants receive training in undergraduate STEM student development through the following activities:

• Supporting program staff in the administration of ISA-affiliated programs.
• Connecting students with mentors.
• Coordinating group cohesion and professional development activities.

ISA graduate assistants develop activities that empower science majors of underrepresented minority and historically marginalized backgrounds to succeed in scientific research careers. Other activities include:

• Instructing and assisting with undergraduate professional development seminars, as well as planning and developing monthly professional development workshops.
• Assisting undergraduate students with both individual and group projects in setting goals and action items to ensure the successful implementation of scientific outreach.
• Managing the publishing of undergraduate student work in the Latham-sponsored digital journal Synthesis.