University of Iowa Hosts Faculty Teaching Book Club
The Center for Teaching is facilitating a discussion group for staff and faculty throughout the fall semester.
Updated on Oct. 15, 2026 in College Life
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The University of Iowa Center for Teaching has launched a faculty and staff book club for the Fall 2026 term. Participants are meeting remotely to discuss The Caring University by author Kevin McClure.
Why it matters
The club provides a space for academic employees to discuss burnout and institutional support structures. Members aim to develop strategies for better supporting students and colleagues within the campus environment.
The book club consists of approximately 20 members drawn from diverse campus roles. The group is currently examining the shift in organizational priorities observed at U.S. universities over the last 15 years.
The players
University of Iowa Center for Teaching
This department serves as a hub for professional development and pedagogical resources for academic staff at the university.
Kathryn Smith
She serves as the facilitator for the university teaching book club throughout the current semester.
Kevin McClure
He is the author of The Caring University, which explores modern institutional structures in higher education.
The details
Facilitated by Kathryn Smith, the group includes a mix of graduate students, academic advisors, librarians, and human resources representatives. Sessions are conducted via Zoom to accommodate the various professional schedules of the attendees.
Timeline
Fall 2026
Culture Shift
The club reflects a growing national trend focusing on the shift in institutional care models at U.S. universities over the last 15 years. This movement challenges traditional campus structures by prioritizing mental health and administrative support for staff.
Faculty and staff participating in the group will integrate new strategies into their daily student-support routines throughout the semester. Participants can expect to spend time each week engaging with peers via Zoom to bridge communication gaps across campus departments.
The takeaway
Groups like this demonstrate how small cohorts can foster institutional change by addressing shared challenges in real time. Faculty and staff looking to improve their support networks can implement similar reading circles to create dedicated spaces for professional dialogue.
Further reading
Learn more about campus programming and student-faculty engagement on the Iowa City College Life page.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Daily Iowan.
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