Colin Gordon Named University of Iowa Distinguished Chair for 2026
Renowned for his profound contributions to American public policy and political economy, Colin Gordon has been appointed the 2026 University of Iowa Distinguished Chair. This prestigious title is a testament to his remarkable academic achievements and dedication to public engagement.
The University of Iowa Distinguished Chair is among the highest honors for faculty members at the institution. It acknowledges tenured scholars who have achieved national and international acclaim, enhancing the university’s mission through their research, teaching, and service. Awardees are granted additional resources to further their scholarly pursuits and hold the title for the duration of their appointment at the university.
“The UI Distinguished Chair award provides an opportunity to recognize some of the most exceptional members of our faculty,” states Kevin Kregel, executive vice president and provost. “Professor Gordon’s scholarship has had a meaningful impact within his field and beyond, and his commitment to teaching and public engagement reflects the best of our public research mission.”
Gordon has spent over three decades at the University of Iowa, where his work has gained national and international recognition. His research focuses on the impact of public policy on American cities and suburbs, and he has authored five notable books, including Mapping Decline, Citizen Brown, and Patchwork Apartheid. These works utilize archival research, data analysis, and mapping technology to explore significant themes like housing policy, local government decisions, and economic shifts, thus enriching the discourse on urban development, racial segregation, and regional disparity.
Gordon is also commended for his efforts to link historical research with contemporary policy debates. He has provided analysis on economic and social issues in Iowa, advised state policy organizations, and participated as an expert in key legal cases. His digital humanities initiatives, often developed in collaboration with students, simplify complex historical data for use by policymakers, educators, and the community. In his classes, students engage in original research on topics such as community history, urban growth, and public policy.
“Colin’s exceptional contributions to the Department of History, the college, the university, and the broader national and international community are truly outstanding,” notes Sara Sanders, dean of CLAS and UI Alumni Association Dean’s Chair in the Liberal Arts and Sciences. “Together, these achievements exemplify the excellence, public mission, and scholarly distinction recognized by the University of Iowa’s most prestigious honors.”
Previous Recipients, UI Distinguished Chair
- Saba Rasheed Ali, associate dean for research and professor of counseling psychology, College of Education (2025)
- Paul A. Romitti, professor of epidemiology, College of Public Health (2025)
- Amy Colbert, professor of management and entrepreneurship, Tippie College of Business (2024)
- Kenneth Tse, professor of saxophone, School of Music, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (2024)
- Mark Blumberg, Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences chair and professor, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (2023)
- Keri Hornbuckle, professor of engineering, Civil and Environmental Engineering, College of Engineering (2023)
- Lea VanderVelde, professor of law and the Josephine R. Witte Chair, College of Law (2022)
- Peter Thorne, professor of occupational and environmental health, College of Public Health (2022)
- Stanley Perlman, professor in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Carver College of Medicine (2021)
- Michelle Scherer, professor of civil and environmental engineering, College of Engineering (2021)
- Corinne Peek-Asa, professor, College of Public Health (2020)
- Caroline Tolbert, professor of political science, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (2020)
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