Research
Iowa Policy Research Organization
This program is known mainly by its acronym, IPRO. It provides Iowa’s legislature, cities, and counties with timely, high-quality information on important issues of public policy. In doing this, it provides some twelve Honors Students a year with marketable training in policy research. The students meet major figures in government and politics throughout the state, they learn about current questions of state and national importance, and they have lots of fun!
The IPRO Website elaborates the program, reports its activities, archives its policy papers, and explains how to apply. Contributing students develop skills in research, writing, teamwork, and political action. Theirs is a practical education in democracy, legislative process, and specific areas of public policy. In consequence, students acquire policy expertise, political experience, and platforms for affecting public affairs. Returning assistants also learn skills of administration and mentoring.
IPRO operates by calendar years. Each fall, the IPRO Director interviews and selects Honors Students to participate in the coming year. Their education begins in the spring semester with an Honors Advanced Seminar on methods of policy analysis. The Director uses the summer to confer with state leaders in deciding what issues to tackle. Then the team of students returns to campus in the fall for an Honors Major Seminar that credits them for researching and writing a set of policy papers on the issues selected. IPRO veterans sometimes participate a second year by using the Honors Teaching Practicum to credit service as program assistants and mentors.
IPRO has an office on the third floor of the Blank Honors Center. It is a base of operations for organizing research and fielding questions about the resulting papers. Students communicate directly with Iowa Legislators and other policymakers to inform then explain the policy papers. Successful participation in the full, year-long, policy cycle earns an Honors Commendation for the Iowa Policy Research Organization.