Thomas L. Hill Iowa State Conference on Race and Ethnicity

The Thomas L. Hill Iowa State Conference on Race and Ethnicity (ISCORE) is a comprehensive forum on issues of race and ethnicity at Iowa State University and beyond. The local conference* is designed to model the National Conference on Race and Ethnicity in Higher Education (NCORE). NCORE is the leading and most comprehensive national forum on issues of race and ethnicity in higher education, bringing together leading experts in the field. The conference assists institutions of higher education in creating inclusive environments, improving campus racial and ethnic relations, and expanding opportunities for access to education for traditionally underrepresented populations.

The NCORE-ISCORE Project consists of a delegation of Iowa State University students, faculty, and staff who attend the National Conference on Race and Ethnicity in Higher Education annually. Conference participants will disseminate information gathered from NCORE at ISCORE, the Iowa State Conference on Race and Ethnicity.

The Thomas L. Hill Iowa State Conference on Race and Ethnicity (ISCORE) seeks to bring the more salient ideas and concepts of the national conference to Iowa State University to:

  1. Develop and enhance ISU student, faculty, and staff awareness of racial and ethnic issues in higher education around the country.
  2. Continue to promote addressing multiculturalism in the classroom and in American higher education.
  3. Make information, regarding issues of race and ethnicity, accessible to the entire university community and support the university’s ongoing efforts.

*ISCORE participation is restricted to Iowa State University community members and guests.

Champions and Changemakers

  • A photo of two men and one woman posing in front of three photos

    Brenda Jones Change Agent Award

    Award for ISCORE student alumni

  • A group of four people including three women and one man. The two women in the middle are holding College Champions Awards

    ISCORE Champions

    Colleges and unit supporters

  • A group of students posing with matching yellow shirts

    ISCORE to Action

    Turn what is learned into reality

How to get involved

NCORE Scholars: Students are selected as NCORE scholars and attend conference pre-departure meetings in the spring and attend NCORE in May/June. In the fall, the students complete research projects in U ST 321. The students use their research to plan and present at ISCORE.

NCORE-ISCORE Student Ambassadors: Student alumni of the NCORE-ISCORE Project can continue to be active in the mission by working for the NCORE-ISCORE Office as peer educators, using their experience to create change on campus, and being spokespeople for the project.

The NCORE-ISCORE Professional Development Academy is a professional and personal development program designed to strengthen dialogic skills and allow participants to engage in productive interpersonal conversations related to equity, diversity, and inclusion on campus – with a focus on race and ethnicity. Faculty and staff who are attending NCORE for their 1st or 2nd time may apply for the academy. This 20-person academy includes a series of small-group dialogue sessions prior to, during and following the NCORE Conference.

NCORE-ISCORE Professional Development Network is for faculty and staff who have attended NCORE in the past or for those who will not be participating in the academy. Network members will have the opportunity to choose a learning partner or be paired with a learning partner to reflect upon NCORE-ISCORE and create a personal development action plan related to NCORE-ISCORE ideals.

Project Team Leaders: Team leaders work directly with students before, during and after NCORE and assist in their research and presentation at ISCORE the following spring.

Attend the ISCORE Conference: The Thomas L. Hill Iowa State Conference on Race and Ethnicity (ISCORE) is the university’s local initiative designed to provide an ongoing platform of sharing and applying new knowledge through presentations and workshops. The conference support the university’s Mission to “create, share, and apply knowledge… and make Iowa and the world a better place.” This conference is free and open to all university employees and invited guests.

6571 Memorial Union
2229 Lincoln Way
Ames, IA 50011

515-294-8731

iscore@iastate.edu

Japannah Kellogg, Director 
japannah@iastate.edu

April Finley, Program Assistant
anfinley@iastate.edu

Learn more about the NCORE-ISCORE Office