Saba Ali is a professor of counseling psychology and a former associate dean for research in the College of Education. A faculty member at Iowa since 2003, she is an internationally recognized scholar whose teaching and research connect career development and counseling psychology directly to community and workforce needs.

Ali's mentorship and leadership have encouraged students, faculty, and staff to engage in meaningful work that addresses mental health needs and benefits communities across the state. In 2017, she was awarded the Distinguished Achievement for Publicly Engaged Research at the University of Iowa, and in 2025, she was named a Distinguished Chair in recognition of her exceptional contributions to teaching, research, and public service.