116 3rd St SE
Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401

Vanessa Miller
I’ve covered lots of beats over my decades as a reporter, and one reason I really enjoy higher education is because it touches on them all. One day I’m writing about science and interviewing University of Iowa NASA researchers, the next I’m writing about health care, or agriculture, or a new Iowa State-supported business, or athletic budgets, or criminal justice, or the Legislature and potential bills affecting Iowa’s university and college campuses. I also love that I get to investigate and dig deep on some stories, report hard news, and then also share incredible and sometimes harrowing tales of survival or discovery. When I’m not working, I’m playing with my kids or following them around to wrestling tournaments. Get the news delivered right to your inbox.
Latest Articles by Vanessa Miller
Higher Ed Jan. 18, 2024 9:36 am622d ago
The next head of the University of Iowa’s sprawling health care enterprise and medical college is retired U.S. Public Health Service Capt. Denise J. Jamieson, who accumulated decades of experience with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and at Emory University.
Higher Ed May. 22, 2023 4:24 pm863d ago
Three members of one of Iowa State University’s oldest and biggest fraternities – including its vice president and risk manager – are being investigated for allegedly ordering one of their house mates and fraternity brothers to perform a sex act upon threat of violence, according to a series of criminal complaints filed this month.
Higher Ed May. 22, 2023 5:30 am863d ago
Taking that trademarked term and idea from the University of Wisconsin — which is offering three two-day Grandparents University sessions this July — UI is starting with a single day of learning for grandparents and grandchildren on July 13.
Higher Ed May. 20, 2023 5:00 am865d ago
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Development office over the years has lent billions to colleges and universities — including at least seven in Iowa since 2013 — often because it wants the smaller communities in which they reside to thrive. Now, with Iowa Wesleyan — one of those loan recipients — closing, the community and the USDA are working to decide the best future use for the campus.
Higher Ed May. 19, 2023 9:49 am866d ago
Although University of Iowa Health Care ranked nationally as the second-most trusted health care brand, the state of Iowa had among the most “doctor dodgers” in the country.
Higher Ed May. 17, 2023 6:00 am868d ago
As the University of Iowa searches for new leadership atop its sprawling health care enterprise, growing network of hospitals and clinics, and highly-ranked college of medicine, administrators want a partner to help them assess “fair market valuation” of a “wide range of health care settings and assets.”
Higher Ed May. 17, 2023 10:00 am868d ago
Northeast Iowa’s 166-year-old Upper Iowa University is cutting 37 positions and closing seven of its more than 20 regional education centers due to dropping enrollment, shifting student needs, and headwinds facing all of higher education.
Higher Ed May. 12, 2023 3:47 pm873d ago
About 12,000 students will graduate from Iowa’s public universities this weekend – many of whom will commemorate the achievement by participating in one or more of the dozens of ceremonies and receptions scheduled across the three campuses.
Higher Ed May. 15, 2023 8:39 am870d ago
In the early 1940s, when Fred Taylor was pursuing a postsecondary degree at Cornell, the world was at war and the United States was drafting servicemen.
Higher Ed May. 11, 2023 4:33 pm874d ago
The Board of Regents on Thursday -- without much discussion -- held its first of two required readings on a tuition increase for all students across its three public universities, with final approval expected in June.
Higher Ed May. 11, 2023 7:54 am874d ago
The University of Iowa – which did not boycott the rankings like dozens of elite law and medical schools nationally and continued providing U.S. News with internal data – lost ground in its overall law and medical school rankings, although still placing high.
Higher Ed May. 10, 2023 6:08 pm875d ago
For the fourth time since 2007, the National Institutes of Health has renewed a large scientific grant for the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine — this time awarding it $28 million over seven years to “take clinical research out into rural communities.”
Higher Ed May. 10, 2023 6:00 am875d ago
A month after Mercy Iowa City leadership named a new CEO, announced the hospital again would exit its partnership with Des Moines-based MercyOne, and disclosed the hire of an operations improvement consultant, executives last week shared more organizational updates – including that an “internal and external” rebranding is underway.
Higher Ed May. 9, 2023 3:43 pm876d ago
In-state undergraduate students across Iowa’s three public universities could face a 3.5 percent tuition hike in the next academic year under a proposal the Board of Regents will consider later this week.
Higher Ed May. 15, 2023 3:27 pm870d ago
The second of two finalists for the highest job atop University of Iowa Health Care and the UI College of Medicine on Monday spoke directly to key concerns, issues, and incentives presently before the enterprise he aims to lead – including physical growth, community collaboration, patient satisfaction, and staffing.