The Connie Belin & Jacqueline N. Blank International Center for Gifted Education and Talent Development (Belin-Blank Center) was established by the Iowa State Board of Regents in June 1988. Originally named the Connie Belin National Center for Gifted Education for Connie Belin in recognition of her leadership in education, the Center was renamed in 1995 by the Iowa State Board of Regents to recognize the extensive support of Myron and Jacqueline N. Blank of Des Moines, Iowa. The new name also reflects the Center's increasing focus on international policy issues as well as its diversification into various areas of exceptional talent.

The Belin-Blank Center is dedicated to the education of gifted and talented students through research, service, and training. Professional development opportunities are offered throughout the year for undergraduate and graduate credit and cover a variety of topics and concepts. Student programs provide selected students with challenging educational experiences integrated with cultural and recreational activities. Talent searches identify students through nationally standardized tests and provide a database on students' characteristics, educational needs, and learning styles. The Center provides advanced graduate students opportunities for practica and internships.

The Belin-Blank Center staff is available for consultation to parents and educators about educational and social-emotional programming needs of gifted students. Staff from the Center is also available for in-service workshops, staff development programs, and program evaluations.

The University of Iowa's Institute for School Executives (ISE) is a statewide organization founded to promote the professional development of school executives. The ISE was created in response to expressed desires by University faculty and practicing school executives for an increase in school district/University activities in the areas of instruction, research, and service.

In November 1978, the Iowa State Board of Regents formally established the Institute for School Executives as part of the College of Education at The University of Iowa. In October 1979, the Iowa State Board of Regents appointed Professor George A. Chambers as the first Director of the Institute.

The Institute for School Executives is a membership organization for school districts and educational agencies and provides continuing education and professional development opportunities for school leaders across the state. ISE professional development programs offer school leaders opportunities to interact with state, regional, and national figures in education on topics of local, regional, and national significance. The objectives of the ISE are: 1) to provide school leaders with access to the latest research in fields affecting education and administration; 2) to provide school leaders with a forum in which they may exchange, with other members, their ideas on current educational topics and concerns; 3) to provide school leaders with a supportive environment for individual or cooperative study of problems confronting education; 4) to provide school leaders with advisory and consultative services in response to their school districts' needs.

The Institute for School Executives is located in the College of Education at The University of Iowa. Professor Larry D. Bartlett is Director of the Institute. Deputy directory is Gerald Portman and Administrative Assistant is Mary Schmidt.