Yiyun Li and Daniel Kraus take top honors; two other graduates were named finalists in fiction and history

Associate Professor Donika Kelly’s poem “Dear—” is featured in the Stanley Museum of Art’s first literary installation, where it will serve as both a public artwork and a teaching tool for courses across the University of Iowa. The installation will support exercises in ekphrastic writing, encouraging students to explore the relationship between visual art and literary expression.

Spencer Jones from the Department of English in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences has been selected for the 2026 Scholarly Teaching Program, a competitive initiative focused on advancing evidence-based teaching. The program supports the development of new approaches to student learning, including the integration of data-driven and digital tools that enhance engagement and strengthen communication-focused instruction.

Adare Smith, English PhD candidate and McNeil Center Consortium fellow, featured in two recent publications