Cyclone Support: Empowering Every Student to Flourish.
Cyclone Support is Iowa State University's innovative, connected-care model that unites the entire campus around one mission: ensuring every student has the resources, connections, and support they need to thrive. Cyclone Support provides restorative spaces and programs that allow students to reset, refocus, and sustain high performance throughout the academic year. To learn more about this initiative, visit cyclonesupport.iastate.edu.
When students are well, they excel.
We know that 1 in 4 Cyclones experience food insecurity, and sustained hunger can lead to lower persistence and performance rates. The Student Wellness department, in partnership with the student organization SHOP, facilitates the operations of the on-campus food pantry. During the 2024-2025 academic year, SHOP served 16,906 visitors and distributed more than 209,000 pounds of food.
On Forever True Day, show your Cyclone Power by supporting these featured areas!
Cyclone Support Facility
Cyclone Support Central, located in 140 Parks Library, is the physical representation of the campus-wide Cyclone Support initiative. Cyclone Support Central is a unique, innovative, and welcoming space that empowers students to seek support early by meeting students where they are and offering peer connections, drop-in assistance, and relevant programming. Students enjoy the calm, peaceful space between classes and appreciate its central location and multipurpose use for workshops and programs. During the 2024-2025 academic year, over 6,400 students visited the space. Your donation will help fuel technology advancements, workshop spaces, transformative learning centers, and unique branding to help students recharge and build confidence and skills as they prepare to be their best both in and out of the classroom.
Cyclone Support Programming Fund
Cyclone Support Programs build connection, career-readiness, and lifelong skills for all students to succeed. With programs like "Styled for Success," which offer free haircuts, professional business attire, resume reviews, and more, we meet students' basic needs and boost their confidence before interviews and presentations. Programs like financial literacy and topics on holistic wellness help Cyclones build resilience and lifelong skills to face the world head-on. In the 2024-25 academic year, nearly 4,000 students attended programs, and students reported a decrease in stress level, increased awareness of on-campus support resources, and new skills to apply to their classes and real-world experiences. Your generosity helps us deliver high-quality programs, expand services to engage more students, and offer more hands-on experiences to build confident leaders, engaged citizens, and career-ready professionals.
Students Helping Our Peers (SHOP)
Food insecurity is the state of being without reliable access to a sufficient quantity of affordable, nutritious food. In fall 2025, Iowa State administered the National Collegiate Health Assessment (NCHA) survey, which indicated that 31.7% of students experience food insecurity. The SHOP is a food pantry for Iowa State students with the mission to engage with anti-hunger advocates and serve the student population by increasing hunger awareness and food security. The SHOP is run by student volunteers, and food is obtained through donations.
Don’t see the area you’re most passionate about? Check out our full list of giving opportunities!
