Helping immigrants to Iowa adapt to their new surroundings is a goal of some faculty in the ISU Foreign Languages and Literatures Department. Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack began an initiative to help Iowa transition to a more multicultural population, and the ISU faculty is contributing its time and talents to help make it a success. “We want to help Iowa welcome newcomers from other parts of the world,” said Madeleine Henry, associate professor and chairwoman of foreign languages and literatures. Henry said faculty members are working to help educate residents of Ames and the surrounding communities about Latin American and Mexican cultures. She said learning not only the language, but also the history of cultural differences, is an important part of understanding people. The department offers short classes in Spanish, French and Russian to members of the Ames community and is also offering a Latino Cultural Communications course over the Iowa Communications Network. Henry said the program is designed to help people understand and assist in fostering good communication between Iowa’s traditional population and its Latino residents. “We are developing courses like this for law enforcement and people in health care who want to understand and help Spanish-speaking new Iowans,” she said. Vera Aginsky, adjunct assistant professor of foreign languages and literatures, specializes in Russian studies and has helped immigrants ease into their new lives in Iowa during her former job as a case worker for Jewish Family and Community Services in Des Moines. Aginsky said she helped settle families who had moved to America because of religious persecution. She said she assisted the families with things that seem simple to most Americans, such as registering for social security numbers, buying clothing and food, and choosing schools for their children. She said such programs are important in helping new residents feel comfortable. “People who are not familiar with the culture, it’s difficult for them,” she said.