1960s
Winston Addis (BA '60, MA '64, PhD '68) was one of eight alumni honored in the 2025 “Eight Over 80” celebration, organized by the UI Center for Advancement. Addis was selected as a Hawkeye who continues to make an impact well beyond retirement. The celebration honors Iowa alumni, age 80 and over, who carry the Hawkeye spirit of achievement and continue to help others. A lifelong educator, Addis has utilized his three degrees to build an expansive career and consistently support his alma mater and other organizations. In retirement, he has continued to be a strong supporter of classical music organizations and a unique school near his home in the Seattle area. Read more
1970s
Martha Haag Behlow (BA '77, SE '77), retired after 32 years of teaching high school French. In addition to her work in the classroom, Haag Behlow led 15 student trips to France and surrounding countries, has served as a national vice president for the AATF - American Association of Teachers of French. In 2015, she was awarded the ICTFL - Illinois Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages Teacher of the Year, as well as Regional Superintendent's Award for the Kane County Educator of the Year. In 2018, the French government named Haag Behlow a Chevalier dans l'Ordre des Palmes Academiques. Haag Behlow credits her storied career to the excellent education she received at Iowa, including the Iowa Regents Summer Study in France.
Cheri Stock (BA ’74) reconnected with dozens of her former students, now successful professionals, during a serendipitous reunion, giving them the opportunity to say “thank you” to the UI alumna and teacher who changed their lives — 45 years later. Read more
1990s
Kerri Bell (BA '95), was honored with the Iowa Excellence in Teaching about Agriculture Award, presented by the Iowa Agriculture Literacy Foundation for her 30 years of teaching. She started her teaching career at St. James Elementary, where she spent two years working with preschool and fourth through sixth grade students in Washington, Iowa. Bell now teaches second grade students at Mid-Prairie East Elementary School in Kalona, Iowa, where she has spent the last 28 years of her career. Read more
Lisa Stevenson (BA '95, BA '95, IED '95, MA '04, PhD '14) is the director of Student and Family Services for Des Moines Public Schools high schools, bringing 20 years of experience in educational leadership, as well as 10 years of K-12 teaching experience, and a deep commitment to student-centered, inclusive learning. Most recently, she was the associate principal at Clear Creek Amana High School in the Iowa City area. Her previous roles include PK-12 director of instruction for the Marshalltown Community School District, PK-12 curriculum director for West Liberty Community School District, and PK-5 elementary principal and preschool director for Bettendorf Community School District.
2000s
Sara K. Ahmed (BA '02, IED '02) delivered the keynote address at the second annual Connecting K-12 and Higher Education Conference in Coralville at the Kirkwood Regional Center in April 2025. Hosted by the UI College of Education and Center for Teaching, the event brought together nearly 100 educators from K-12, higher education, and beyond to share insights on student learning, teaching effectiveness, and innovative practices. An internationally known speaker and author, Ahmed has taught as a student teacher in Dublin and worked as a literacy coach in Bangkok. She currently serves as director of curriculum integration and innovation and fifth-grade advisor at Catherine Cook School in Chicago. Kirkwood Community College provided use of the Kirkwood Regional Center at the University of Iowa as the venue. Read more
Beth Cady (BS '06) After teaching high school chemistry for three years, Cady received her PharmD from Drake University. She continues to work in academia at Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville (SIUE) School of Pharmacy as a faculty member in the pharmacy practice department as an infectious disease specialist. She was awarded a hat trick of awards this past academic year on the local and national levels. She was voted by the student body as the Pharmacy Practice Faculty of the Year in addition to receiving the SIUE Excellence in Teaching Award, voted by peers across the university. On a national level, she was awarded the 2025 Early Transformative Teaching Award by the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy-Women in Academia Special Interest Group. She attributes these awards, in part, to the impactful education she received from the College of Education.
Melanie Guentzel (PhD '09), director of Graduate Student Services at St. Cloud State University, received an Outstanding Service Faculty Award from the State of Minnesota.
Ryan Kelly (BA '01, BA '01), Professor of Reading in the Department of Teacher Education, College of Education and Behavioral Science at Arkansas State University, is the inaugural Recipient of the Provost's Medal for Excellence in Instruction at Arkansas State University. This award recognizes outstanding contributions to teaching at Arkansas State and is considered the highest award given to faculty for their teaching.
Erin Lane (MA '09, IED '09, PhD '18), clinical assistant professor of school counseling, was named Iowa School Counselor Advocate of the Year for her dedication to the profession and her students. Lane joined the College of Education in 2022 after more than 20 years as a K-12 school counselor. She serves first-and second-year graduate students, supporting them through coursework and practicum placements. “Dr. Lane made it such a warm and welcoming environment,” student CarolineCanby says. “She listens to us and helps find our perfect match both in class and in placements.” Lane’s advocacy extends beyond the classroom through her work with state and national counseling organizations. She views the award as a way to amplify the role of school counselors and inspire others to advocate for the profession. “I feel like the most important work I do is to be a reminder to people that what we do is important and that I can be their cheerleader, but they also need to be able to speak to their professional identity as a school counselor and the importance of their role,” Lane says. Read more
John Mikelson (BA '07, MA '08) of Columbus Junction, Iowa, was recently named the 2025 Military Friendly Vetrepreneur of the Year for the state of Iowa. The award recognizes veteran business owners who have demonstrated exceptional entrepreneurial spirit and success. Mikelson, who served in the Army, is the owner of Foresight IT. He has worked with the Veterans Liberty Center in Iowa City to host a monthly Coffee and Camaraderie for the past two years that has expanded to six other Iowa communities. A breakfast version is hosted in Mount Pleasant. He also continues to network with the VA Recovery in Action Committee comprised of inpatient and outpatient staff and community support programs. His nonprofit organization, Midwest Military Outreach, is the current operating umbrella for his activities, allowing him to share his knowledge and contacts across Iowa and the Upper Midwest.
Jon Sexton (MA '06, PhD '16), now senior vice president of culture and leadership at Vibrant Credit Union and founder of Sexton Leadership in Bettendorf, Iowa, Sexton credits the college for creating a solid foundation for his success. He served as the keynote speaker at the UI College of Education’s Undergraduate Fall Commencement Ceremony. “My time in the College of Education was transformative. The lessons I learned, both in and outside of the classroom, taught me how to create environments where students and professionals could thrive.”
Chuck Tonelli (BS '06, IED '05), a science teacher and STEAM Academy Coordinator at Metro Alternative High School in Cedar Rapids, was recognized as the 2025 Southeast Iowa Region STEM Teacher of the Year. Tonelli is in his 20th year with the district. He involves community partners in a variety of projects and helps students participate in real-world experiences that give them the opportunity to network and build soft skills. Tonelli enjoys helping students work toward their high school degree, engage with the community, and earn skills that will help them build their future.
2010s
Janelle Brouwer (EDS '15, PhD '18), superintendent of Marion Independent School District, transitioned from the vice president elect to the 2025-26 president-elect of the School Administrators of Iowa’s (SAI) Executive Committee, filling a vacancy on the SAI Executive Committee.
Heidi Hassen (MA '14, IED '14) was named the 2024 Elementary School Counselor of the Year by the Iowa School Counselor Association (SCA), recognizing her compassionate, student-centered work at Alexander Elementary School in Iowa City. Now in her third school in 13 years, Hassen coordinates Social-Emotional-Behavioral Health programming, supports diverse families, and uses data to advocate for students’ needs. She sees herself, not as a rescuer, but as a partner. Read more
Mitch Gross (MA '11, IED '11), Iowa City West High School Principal, received the Administrator of the Year Award from the Iowa High School Press Association. He was also named a finalist for the 2025 Iowa City School Principal of the Year by the School Administrators of Iowa. Gross received his Master of Arts in Educational Policy and Leadership Studies and his Iowa licensure in social studies.
Jason Lau (PhD '10) was appointed as trustee by the San Rafael City Schools Board of Education in California, effective on Feb. 14, 2025.
Candace Maier (PhD '16), clinical director and associate professor in the Master of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy program at the University of Wisconsin-Stout, received a Fulbright U.S. Scholar Award to teach courses on family dynamics and child/adolescent development at Instabul Bilgi University in Turkey in 2026.
Kaitlin Mahoney (PhD '14, IED '14) was named the 2024 Mississippi Bend Regional Teacher of the Year. She is one of nine educators statewide honored in the inaugural year of this Iowa Department of Education program. Mahoney, a math teacher at Bettendorf High School, credits her team for the recognition. Mahoney, in her 11th year of teaching, is known for her innovative approach to making math accessible and engaging for all students. She has developed an algebra curriculum tailored to meet the diverse needs of her learners and has also inspired leadership and growth among students as a student council advisor. Read more
Jaime Malatesta (PhD '14) has moved to Virginia and is now a Senior Psychometrician at GMAC.
Lalia McCloud (PhD '19) earned promotion with tenure from assistant to associate professor of educational leadership and counseling at Grand Valley State University in Allendale, Michigan.
Aaron Mertes (PhD '19), assistant professor in the Counselor Education programs at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, serves on the board of the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CAREP). He has a background in rehabilitation counseling and has held various positions in the field, including private practice, crisis management, and life care planning. He teaches in both mental health and school counseling.
Jesse Meyer (MA '12) accepted a new position as vice president for advancement at Illinois Wesleyan University. He is also serving his second year as the College of Education representative on the UI Alumni Leadership Council.
Kristi Mindrup (PhD '12) was named the 13th president of Western Illinois University in December of 2024, and she took the helm in this new role in Spring 2025. Mindrup is the first female president to serve Western Illinois University in its 125 years of history. Prior to this appointment, Mindrup served as the vice president for the Quad Cities campus operations. Mindrup has nearly 28 years of experience in higher education, focused on organizational leadership, strategic planning, academic affairs and student services program and partnership development, inclusive campus environments, and campus operations. Mindrup provided leadership for the planning and establishment of the WIU Quad Cities Riverfront Campus in Moline. Read more
Amanda Mollet (PhD '18) earned promotion with tenure from assistant to associate professor of educational leadership and policy studies in the University of Kansas Higher Education Administration program.
Kem Saichaie (PhD '11) is the inaugural executive director of the Teaching and Learning Center at the University of California, Los Angeles.
Zoie Schares (BA '17, MA '22) is the new academic engagement program manager at the University of Chicago, Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering. Schares will support the senior associate dean for education and strategy, keeping cross-cutting projects and initiatives running smoothly across units in the school. Schares will also continue to work with UI College of Education Professor Cassie Barnhardt’s research team, showcasing and publishing work with a partnership in Kosovo.
Hannah Walsh-West (BA '15, CER '15, MA '17) joined the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education as an education data analyst. In this shared role between the Office of Data Analysis and Reporting and the Office of College, Career, and Technical Education, she works at the intersection of policy and data – supporting schools and leaders through analysis, reporting, and inquiry to help improve outcomes for students across the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Haley Wikoff (PhD '19), a graduate of the University of Iowa’s doctoral program in Rehabilitation Counseling with a subprogram of Counselor Education and Supervision, earned three major awards in 2024 for her contributions to higher education and school counseling. Wikoff was honored with the: Provost’s Award for Academic Excellence in Multicultural Teaching from Western Illinois University; Impact Award from the Illinois School Counselor Association; and Award for Outstanding Diversity from the North Central Association for Counselor Education and Supervision. At the time of these honors, Wikoff served as an assistant professor in WIU’s Department of Counselor Education. She has since transitioned to a new role as Lead Professional Learning Specialist with Hatching Results, an educational consulting firm focused on improving K-12 school counseling programs. Read more
2020s
Cole Berkenpas (BA '21) of Spencer, Iowa, is currently working at Okoboji High School as a math teacher. Last year, he graduated from Indiana University with his Master of Arts in Teaching in Mathematics. He recently celebrated his daughter’s, Eleanor, first birthday. “Loving life! Couldn’t be happier with my education from Iowa!”
Jennifer Cano (BA '23, BA '23) of Columbus Junction, Iowa, is teaching in Spain thanks to a 2025-26 Fulbright English Teaching Assistant Award. Cano is teaching English and leading a creative writing workshop featuring spoken word nights and a student literary magazine.
Eunae Han (MA '22, PhD '22) has been named a fellow of the first Association for Counselor Education and Supervision (ACES) Grant Academy. The ACES Grant Academy Fellowship offers a unique opportunity for junior and mid-career faculty in counseling to pursue advocacy, practice, and research initiatives through a grant program designed to foster professional development. The fellowship includes ongoing grant development training, creation and submission of a grant proposal to an agency or funder, and engagement with the grant academy community, allowing applicants to gain resources and support based on their specific interests and needs.
Lindsay Jarratt (PhD '23) is the recipient of the 2024 Thomas N. Urban Research Award, recognizing excellence and innovation in education. The Iowa Academy of Education gives the award to an active scholar with compelling research that is likely to have an impact on education. Jarratt presented her research on refugees in education at the academy’s spring 2025 meeting. Jarratt also joined the Iowa State University faculty this fall as an assistant professor in the Higher Education and Student Affairs program. Prior to this, she worked as a University of Iowa visiting faculty member in sociology and criminology.
Noah LeFevre (BA '25) was awarded a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant Award and will be teaching English in Bulgaria for 2025-26.
Alfonso Martinez (MA '22, MS, '23, PhD '24) started a new position as assistant professor of psychometrics and quantitative psychology in the Department of Psychology at Fordham University in September 2024.
Milad Mohebali (PhD '22, CER '22), assistant professor of educational administration at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, was selected as a 2025-26 fellow with the University of California National Center for Free Speech and Civic Engagement. He is one of 12 scholars and practitioners who are spending the year grappling with cutting-edge issues that impact expression and democratic engagement in higher education. His project is titled, “Mapping Divergent Meanings, Actors, and Concerns Around Viewpoint Diversity in Higher Education."
Rosemary “Rosie” Schwieters (BA '25, BBA '25) began a new position as consulting analyst with Huron’s Education and Research – Strategy and Operations team. “I’m so excited to have found a place where I can connect my BBA in Business Management with my BA in Education Studies and Human Relations—allowing me to contribute to projects that blend my passion for both strategy and education,” Schwieters says.
Tanner Westrum (BA '24), was promoted to assistant offensive line coach and video coordinator for the St. Thomas football team at the University of St. Thomas in Saint Paul, Minnesota.
Andrew Wirtz (MA '20, EdD '24) was recognized at the 2024 Iowa Talented and Gifted Conference (ITAG) in Des Moines for his expertise, leadership, and contributions to the field of gifted education. As a Des Moines Public Schools advanced learning consultant, Wirtz advocates for broader definitions of giftedness – especially in the arts and music. His doctoral dissertation, which earned the David Bills Outstanding Doctoral Dissertation Award from the Iowa Academy of Education, addresses how traditional models of gifted education often exclude students with exceptional creative abilities. He presented his research at the ITAG Conference, where he emphasized expanding gifted programs to recognize artistic and musical talents. Read more