Anna Newnum is an assistant director for CLAS Advising and advises students in the School of Journalism and Mass Communication, as well as in the Department of American Studies. Anna loves working with students in these areas because of their wide-ranging curiosity and appreciates their focus on using creativity to inform others and tell accessible stories across different mediums. She always loves to hear what her students are reading, thinking, or telling stories about. As an assistant director, she coordinates strategic communication and assists with professional development for CLAS advising.

Anna first came to the University of Iowa as a PhD student in the Department of English, where she studied Victorian literature and women’s poetry. She has previously worked as a writing tutor and taught literature and composition courses at the University of Iowa and at Xavier University in Cincinnati. She's also involved in the Iowa City Community String Orchestra and the Hawkeye Area Down Syndrome Association.

Anna loves working with students from a wide variety of backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives and is here to help students discover their unique goals and make meaning of their college experience. Students can talk to her at any point in their academic journey – whether they are discovering new interests and talents, setting goals and considering opportunities, creating an academic plan for graduation, or seeking to connect with a resource during a challenging time.