About Get A Grip

Get A Grip is a statewide high school and college initiative designed to engage Iowa students in discussion of issues relevant to them, their peers, and their community. Built on the four principles of community, respect, choices, and accountability, the program lays a foundation for students to think about, confront, and effectively address current issues and concerns.

High School

The high school program started in 1991 with a summer traffic safety and leadership conference for 14-18 year olds. Teams of high school students and adults from across the state continue to participate in workshops and local alcohol education and traffic safety campaigns. The school year workshops, school-sponsored clubs, and media campaigns support youth and adults who are working together to create healthy communities by providing skills and ideas for fun, alcohol-free, traffic-safe environments that accept individual differences, celebrate collective similarities and encourage action!

College

The college program began in 1995 with alcohol education and traffic safety mini-grants and grew into a statewide social norms project. Media campaigns were developed and implemented on Iowa campuses, and workshops and training materials were provided in following years to enhance social norms efforts. The program continues to support Iowa colleges and universities by offering media campaigns and programming developed by local college students.

Get A Grip projects provide opportunities for students to get informed, get involved, and determine a plan of action. Training guides and this website serve as resources as they work together on common issues. Get A Grip staff work with Iowa students to develop training topics, leadership activities, and action plans.

For additional information about the Get A Grip programs and projects, please contact Laurinda Smith at 515-294-8760,
or by email at lasmith@iastate.edu.