The University of Iowa College of Education has recognized assistant professor of art education Allison Rowe and associate professor of higher education and student affairs Katharine (Katie) Broton as recipients of the Collegiate Teaching Award, the college’s highest honor for exemplary teaching.
The award acknowledges faculty who demonstrate excellence in instruction, innovation in curriculum, and a commitment to student success and equity. Both honorees were formally recognized at the College of Education’s Spring Faculty and Staff Meeting on May 15.
Rowe was honored for her innovative work in art education and her dedication to inclusive, community-engaged teaching practices.
Her courses integrate culturally sustaining pedagogy, often involving partnerships with organizations such as United Action for Youth and the Stanley Museum of Art. These collaborations offer pre-service teachers real-world opportunities to lead programs like the Saturday Morning Art Workshop and the School of the Arts, connecting university students with local youth in creative and affirming spaces.
Rowe’s teaching also prioritizes student wellness and reflective practice. She has integrated visual journaling into multiple courses and is currently piloting a study in collaboration with the UI Counselor Education Department to explore how targeted counseling support can benefit both preservice educators and their students.
“She is the art teacher I wish I had growing up, but she’s the art-teacher teacher that I am so grateful I have now,” one student shares in a course evaluation. Another noted that Rowe “always made it a welcoming place for non-art majors to be and to create.”
From 2021 to 2023, Rowe advised all undergraduate and graduate students in the program and oversaw curriculum growth that led to increased enrollment and visibility for the department. Her efforts to embed equity, accessibility, and community-based learning have shaped the experience of more than 140 students over the past four years.
Broton was recognized for her outstanding contributions to graduate education through a portfolio of courses that includes Finance in Higher Education, Survey Research and Design, and Research Process and Design.
Broton’s teaching philosophy emphasizes intentional course design, transparency, student agency, and integration of research. Her syllabi and course platforms are structured to support complex learning, while activities such as weekly learning reflections, reading briefs, and mock fieldwork help students apply knowledge in meaningful ways.
Broton also links her research expertise in basic needs insecurity to her teaching by providing resources in her syllabi, adjusting assignments when needed, and promoting a community of care in the classroom. One student shared in a support letter, “Katie provides information in her syllabi about a range of student support resources on campus and remains mindful of the cost of textbooks.”
Over the past three years, Broton has chaired or co-chaired six doctoral dissertations, advised seven master’s students, and mentored students in collaborative research and publication efforts. Her teaching has received consistent praise, with average course ratings ranging from 5.2 to 5.9 out of 6.
“She pushes me to articulate my ideas with clarity, precision, and confidence,” one doctoral candidate writes. “Her feedback is the epitome of constructive—she identifies gaps with remarkable thoroughness yet does so in a supportive and empowering way.”
The Collegiate Teaching Award includes a $2,000 stipend and is one of the university’s most competitive faculty honors. In official notification letters to both recipients, College of Education Dean Daniel Clay commended their influence on students and the broader university community.
Rowe and Broton were nominated by students and colleagues who praised their inclusive practices, intellectual rigor, and lasting mentorship.
Their work, as one nominator put it, “ensures that everyone feels valued, supported, and can thrive.”
