College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Honors and Awards Ceremony

Each year, the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (LAS) presents awards to outstanding alumni and friends of the College. Alumni award recipients are honored at the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Honor and Awards Ceremony, as well as the Iowa State University Alumni Association Honors and Awards Ceremony during Homecoming week each fall.

This ceremony took place on October 23, 2025.

Order of events

Welcome – Benjamin Withers
University Awards
LAS Awards
Departmental Awards
Closing Remarks – Benjamin Withers

Danielle West

’11 Journalism and Mass Communication
Waukee, IA

Danielle West is a dynamic leader in strategic communications and a passionate advocate for community service and higher education. A proud Iowa State University alumna, West earned her degree in journalism and mass communication with an emphasis in public relations and magazine. Her time at ISU laid the foundation for a career defined by innovation, leadership, and service.

West currently works as a strategic communication director at Wixted & Company where she partners with organizations to help them communicate with purpose, strength and clarity to achieve their goals. Prior, she served in a number of roles including regional vice president at LifeServe Blood Center, where she oversaw operations across the central region and guided strategic planning, donor engagement, and public health initiatives. Her leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic — coordinating with state and national leaders to promote blood and plasma donation — earned her national recognition and helped save countless lives.

West’s passion for community engagement is evident in her involvement in various philanthropic initiatives both in our community and in her industry. She has spearheaded several impactful projects that have positively influenced local and national lives. Locally, she’s involved in the Greenlee School Advisory Council, Greater Des Moines Partnership, United Way of Central Iowa, and Johnston River of Life, where she manages their public relations and marketing initiatives and is a member of their praise band.

Recognized as a Business Record Forty Under 40 honoree, West exemplifies Cyclone spirit through her professional excellence and unwavering dedication to service.

She and her husband, Stephen (’12 management), live in Waukee, Iowa with their two children.

Benjamin Malin

’00 mathematics, economics
Minneapolis, MN

Benjamin Malin has earned a reputation for driving impactful economic research and providing leadership within the Federal Reserve System. As vice president of the Research Division at the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis since 2022, he leads the team responsible for the bank’s core economic analysis while helping shape national monetary policy. Prior to joining the bank in 2022, he spent six years at the Federal Reserve Board of Governors.

Malin’s research in macroeconomics has helped deepen understanding of how markets behave and why they fluctuate. He studies how firms set prices, how economies move through cycles, and what drives long-term growth. His work has appeared in leading journals, including the American Economic Review, Journal of Monetary Economics, and Journal of Public Economics. His co-authored piece in the Handbook of Monetary Economics has been cited over 650 times and helped reframe how economists understand the impact of firm behavior on demand during periods of change.

He earned his degree in economics from Iowa State University in 2000, graduating Phi Beta Kappa, and completed a Ph.D. at Stanford University in 2006. Malin remains closely connected to ISU, frequently participating in seminars and mentoring students. He has hosted undergraduate groups at the Minneapolis Fed and continues to support students pursuing graduate study and careers in economics.

Jyotishman Pathak

Ph.D. ’07 computer science
Scarsdale, NY

Jyotishman Pathak is an internationally recognized leader in biomedical informatics and population health sciences. He holds the Frances and John L. Loeb Professorship in Medical Informatics at Weill Cornell Medical College, where he serves as vice chair of the Department of Population Health Sciences. He also founded Iris OB Health, a digital mental health startup with the focus of expanding access to care through data-informed approaches.

Pathak’s research has inspired innovation across healthcare, especially in the mental health field. He has authored over 275 publications, with nearly 14,000 citations and an h-index of 60. His work includes large-scale informatics infrastructure and the use of AI-powered natural language processing to reduce stigma in clinical documentation. This approach is helping to reshape how opioid use disorder is addressed throughout medical systems.

His contributions have earned national recognition. In 2023, he was elected a Fellow of the American College of Medical Informatics and appointed to the National Advisory Mental Health Council by the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services. As of July 1, 2025, Pathak serves as founding dean of the School of Technology for Public Health at Arizona State University. In this role, he will lead initiatives that bring together cutting-edge technology with public health strategy.

Pathak’s career speaks to the lasting value of a Liberal Arts and Sciences education at Iowa State University, blending scholarship, impact, and a commitment to mental health.

Sophia Magill

’05 political science
Ames, Iowa

Sophia Magill is recognized for more than two decades of leadership in public engagement and service across higher education and government. Since joining Iowa State University in 2013, she has played a central role in building relationships with federal agencies and Iowa’s congressional delegation. Through strategic advocacy and policy advancement, she promotes research, higher education and science initiatives in an effort to increase federal support and expand awareness of the university’s impact.

In 2022, Magill was named senior advisor to ISU President Wendy Wintersteen to lead university-wide initiatives, including implementing ISU’s strategic plan, while continuing to advance federal relations. Her previous roles at ISU include assistant director and director of federal relations, where she helped shape national partnerships that support the university’s mission. She has also been active in the national higher education arena, serving on the Executive Committee and as Chair of the Council on Governmental Affairs for the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities.

Magill earned a Master of Public Administration from the University of Illinois at Chicago in 2010, where she held leadership roles in student development and campus programming. Her early career includes working in the Iowa Legislature, the Iowa Governor’s Office and the Bureau of Management of a federal agency, where she supported federal policy implementation, following a White House internship.

Magill earned her undergraduate degree in political science from Iowa State University and served as Student Government President.

Outside of her professional roles, Magill is active in her community. She has served as a board member for Youth and Shelter Services, a volunteer coach with the Ames Soccer Club, and a member of her children’s elementary school Parent Teacher Organization. She continues to engage with the Carrie Chapman Catt Center for Women and Politics, mentoring scholarship recipients and championing leadership development.

Todd Buck

’87 biological and pre-medical illustration
Lombard, IL

Todd Buck is widely recognized for his ability to communicate science through art. With a degree in biological/pre-medical illustration from Iowa State University, he has built a career translating complex medical and scientific ideas into visuals that inform and inspire.

Building on his ISU experience, Buck earned a master’s in biomedical visualization from the University of Illinois at Chicago and launched a distinguished career as owner and chief medical illustrator of a successful private firm. His work has been featured in thousands of scientific publications, graced journal covers, and appeared in juried exhibitions around the globe. At Northern Illinois University, Buck spent more than two decades as professor of illustration, assistant director, and played a significant role in helping students advance in their academic or career path in medical illustration. He has also served as president and board member of the Association of Medical Illustrators, helping shape the profession’s future.

Buck remains a champion of education and outreach, regularly mentoring rising illustrators and presenting nationally. His longstanding connection to ISU includes keynote roles and judging at milestone anniversaries of the scientific illustration and visualization program.

Roy J. Carver Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology:
Distinguished Alumni Award

Daniel Purich

’06 biochemistry
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Daniel Purich is internationally recognized for his pioneering work in enzyme kinetics and cell motility, with particular emphasis on the regulation of metabolic pathways and the molecular mechanics of cytoskeletal dynamics. His research spans the biochemical control of brain hexokinase, bacterial nitrogen metabolism, and the force-generating mechanisms of actin filament assembly.

Purich’s early research challenged the widely accepted Adenylate Energy Charge model and earned him Iowa State University’s E. I. Fulmer Award in Chemical Sciences & Engineering. At the National Institutes of Health, he uncovered key regulatory features of the glutamine synthetase cascade, a pivotal control point in bacterial nitrogen metabolism and chemotaxis. Later, at the University of Florida, he and Richard Dickinson identified the actoclampins—multi-arm molecular motors that power cell crawling by linking ATP hydrolysis to actin filament growth. With over 170 peer-reviewed publications, his work has significantly advanced the fields of enzyme kinetics and cytoskeletal dynamics.

After earning his Ph.D. in biochemistry from Iowa State University in 1972, Purich joined the faculty at UC Santa Barbara, where he received both a Sloan Fellowship and an NIH Career Development Award. In 1984, he became Chair of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology at the University of Florida College of Medicine, later returning to full-time teaching and research. Over the course of his career, he has taught nearly forty thousand students across chemistry and biochemistry, earning campus-wide teaching honors at both institutions. Next spring, he will retire after 53 years of service, leaving a legacy of scientific rigor, educational impact, and creative writing, including more than three hundred short stories and several mystery-adventure novels.

Department of Chemistry: Outstanding Alumni Award

David Lee Phillips

’84 chemistry
Hong Kong

David Lee Phillips is recognized for his groundbreaking contributions to physical chemistry, particularly in the areas of ultrafast spectroscopy and reaction dynamics. His research combines time-resolved spectroscopic techniques with quantum mechanical modeling to investigate fleeting chemical intermediates relevant to biological systems and environmental chemistry.

Phillips has provided direct spectroscopic characterization of excited states and intermediates involved in photochemical and chemical damage to DNA nucleobases and oligomers. His work also explores photodeprotection compounds with applications in physiology, drug delivery, and photodynamic therapy, as well as novel photoredox reactions in aqueous solutions. In collaboration with multidisciplinary teams, he contributes to the development of advanced materials for solar cells, OLEDs, and photocatalysts for hydrogen production.

After earning his B.S. in chemistry from Iowa State University in 1984, Phillips completed a Ph.D. in physical chemistry at the University of California, Irvine in 1989 and pursued postdoctoral research in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Rochester. In 1993, he joined the University of Hong Kong’s Department of Chemistry, where he now serves as chair professor of physical chemistry and previously led the department as head from 2006 to 2010.

Department of Computer Science: Distinguished Alumni Award

Maria Thompson

’82 computer science, statistics
Hoffman Estates, IL

Maria B. Thompson is a seasoned technology leader whose career has been defined by innovation, strategic thinking, and a commitment to operational excellence. With experience spanning technology, manufacturing, and telecommunications, she has helped shape product development and innovation practices across industries and continents.

As global innovation process director at the ITW Innovation Center, Thompson leads innovation strategy across eight business segments. She has facilitated workshops and summits for more than 3,300 employees worldwide, helping teams launch and refine product offerings through structured frameworks focused on customer needs, value creation, and go-to-market strategy.

Before joining ITW, Thompson served as senior director of innovation strategy at Motorola Solutions, where she led intellectual property initiatives and organized large-scale inventing sessions that resulted in a record number of patent disclosures. Her leadership earned her the CTO Leadership Award and the Women’s Business Council Outstanding Leadership Award. She began her career at AT&T Bell Laboratories, where she became an applied research supervisor.

Thompson earned a B.S. in computer science and statistics from Iowa State University in 1982. She later completed a master’s in math and computer science at the University of Waterloo, graduating with high honors and funded by AT&T Bell Laboratories. She remains closely connected to Iowa State, serving on the Technology Committee of the Iowa State University Foundation Board of Directors and funding the Innovation Maven Computer Science scholarship for women.

Department of the Earth, Atmosphere, and Climate: Distinguished Alumni Award

Brad Small

’90 meteorology
Johnston, IA

Brad Small is recognized for his decades-long service in meteorology and his leadership in weather communication and public safety. His career with the National Weather Service (NWS) spanned more than 34 years, marked by operational excellence, outreach, and innovation in severe weather forecasting.

After earning a B.S. in meteorology from Iowa State University in 1990, Small began his NWS career in St. Louis later that year. He was promoted to general forecaster in Des Moines in 1994 and became lead meteorologist in 1996, a role he held until his retirement in 2025. Throughout his career, he issued more than 600 severe thunderstorm and tornado warnings since 2000, contributing directly to public safety across Iowa.

Small’s professional interests encompassed both internal and external NWS operations, with a strong emphasis on outreach and communication. He led spotter training efforts for decades and played a key role in the development and implementation of NWSChat, a real-time communication tool connecting meteorologists with emergency managers and media partners. His expertise was recognized nationally, earning him a National Weather Service Director’s Award and a national Isaac Cline Award for his work on NWSChat. He was also featured as a subject matter expert on Iowa PBS’s Iowa Press in 2023.

A longtime member of the National Weather Association and the American Meteorological Society, Small received multiple local Isaac Cline Awards for excellence in winter storms, severe weather, hydrology, program management, outreach, and leadership.

Department of Economics: Outstanding Alumni Award

Kanlaya Barr

Ph.D. ’09 economics
Naperville, IL

Kanlaya Barr is the director of corporate economics at John Deere, where she leads a global team responsible for economic forecasting, industry analysis, and strategic planning. With a Ph.D. in economics and a strong foundation in quantitative analysis, Barr brings clarity and insight to complex global trends, helping guide long-term business strategy across the organization.

Barr joined John Deere in 2011 following an early career in financial analytics, risk management, and forecasting. She has since held roles in demand planning and market analysis, steadily expanding her expertise in agricultural and macroeconomic dynamics. Her leadership has been instrumental in shaping the company’s economic outlooks, supporting executive decision-making, and informing financial planning and investment strategies.

In her current role, Barr advises senior leadership, contributes to investor relations, and represents John Deere in high-level economic forums, including Federal Reserve Bank roundtables. Known for her ability to translate economic theory into practical insight, she speaks to more than 15,000 people annually, making global trends accessible to diverse audiences across the agricultural and financial sectors.

Barr’s work continues to bridge data and strategy, helping businesses navigate uncertainty and prepare for the future.

Department of English: Distinguished Alumni Award

Lou Ann Sandburg

’70 English
Clive, IA

Recognized for a distinguished career in finance and a lifelong commitment to service, Lou Ann Sandberg has blended strategic leadership with a deep sense of community engagement. After earning a B.A. in English from Iowa State University in 1970, Sandberg began her professional journey teaching eighth grade English in the Shenandoah School District in southwest Iowa. A move to Des Moines in 1971 opened the door to a new path in investments and finance, first in the securities divisions of regional banks and later in portfolio management for the insurance companies of FBL Financial Group.

In 1990, she earned the Chartered Financial Analyst designation, a milestone that propelled her into senior leadership. Over the course of her career, she oversaw investment strategy and asset management for all entities and clients of Farm Bureau Financial Services, guiding financial decisions with clarity and purpose.

Beyond her professional accomplishments, Sandberg has served on the boards of a broker-dealer, a bank, and numerous nonprofit organizations whose missions reflect her personal values. She previously served on the Dean’s Advisory Council for the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and currently serves on the Board of Governors of the Iowa State University Foundation. A lifelong advocate for giving back, she views service as both a privilege and a responsibility.

Department of Genetics, Development and Cell Biology: Outstanding Alumni Award

Shannon Hauf

’97 biology
Defiance, MO

Shannon Hauf serves as Senior Vice President and Head of North America, Australia, and New Zealand Product Supply at Bayer Crop Science, where she leads a global team dedicated to reliably delivering high-quality crop protection and seed products to farmers while maintaining a competitive cost position. Raised on a corn, soybean, and livestock farm in southern Minnesota, Hauf holds a B.S. from Iowa State University and M.S. and Ph.D. degrees from North Dakota State University.

After joining Monsanto in 2003, Hauf held a range of leadership roles across commercial, research and development, and product supply, where she consistently advanced innovation and operational excellence.

Her contributions to business and the St. Louis community have earned her recognition as a St. Louis Metro YWCA Woman Leader in the Workplace and one of the St. Louis Business Journal’s Most Influential Business Women.

Deeply committed to education and service, Hauf chairs the board of Marian Middle School, serves as a trustee on the National 4-H Board, and leads the BAYERPAC Board. She also partners with administration and faculty across Iowa State University through advisory board service and is the former chair of the Iowa State University Research Foundation.

She and her husband, Darrin, now live on a sweet corn and livestock farm near St. Louis, Missouri, where they are raising their two children, Carter and Ella.

James W. Schwartz Award for Distinguished Service to Journalism and Communication

Michael Bugeja

Ames, IA

Michael Bugeja, distinguished professor emeritus of journalism at Iowa State University, served as director of the Greenlee School of Journalism and Communication from 2003 to 2017, earning top administrative leadership awards from both the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and the university. In 2015, he received the national Scripps Howard Foundation’s Outstanding Administrator Award from the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication, recognizing his transformative impact on journalism education. His latest recognition is an honorary Doctorate of Literature by the University of Malta, to be conferred Nov. 21 in Valetta, Malta. Dr. Bugeja is a dual national of USA and Malta.

A prolific author and scholar, Bugeja has written extensively on ethics and technology, with titles including “Interpersonal Divide: The Search for Community in a Technological Age,” “Living Ethics Across Platforms,” and “Interpersonal Divide in the Age of the Machine,” all published by Oxford University Press. His research in media ethics earned him the Clifford G. Christians Award twice, underscoring his national influence in the field.

Bugeja retired in May 2025 after a 48-year teaching career that spanned Oklahoma State University, Ohio University, and Iowa State. He and his spouse, Diane Bugeja, teaching professor emeritus, now enjoy tending to their gardens, orchard, woodlands, and three beloved Maine Coons.

Department of Mathematics: Distinguished Alumni Award

Anand Medepalli

Ph.D. ’92 mathematics
London, England

Recognized for his leadership at the intersection of operations research, data science, product strategy, and artificial intelligence, Anand Medepalli has built a distinguished career transforming global supply chains and digital platforms.

Medepalli currently serves as chief product officer at Shippeo, a global leader in real-time transportation visibility. There, he leads product and engineering teams to deliver AI-powered solutions that optimize supply chain performance. His career spans leadership roles at Service Now, Blue Yonder, RateGain, and Sabre, where he built and scaled intelligent platforms across the transportation, travel, financial services, and retail sectors.

In addition to his operational leadership, Medepalli is a trusted advisor to companies and C-suite executives, helping shape product and go-to-market strategies and drive organizational alignment around innovation. He is widely respected for his clarity of thought and practical insight, and he actively mentors emerging product leaders navigating AI-first transformation and strategic decision-making. Medepalli remains deeply engaged in the global tech community, blending mathematical rigor with real-world impact.

Department of Music and Theatre: Distinguished Alumni Award

Ted Brimeyer

’07 music education
Urbandale, IA

With a career rooted in choral education and vocal artistry, Ted Brimeyer has shaped dynamic music programs across academic, community, and faith-based settings.

Brimeyer currently serves as teaching artist of choirs and voice at Drake University, where he conducts Borealis, the auditioned treble choir, and teaches studio voice. During his tenure, the choir toured Ireland and collaborated with Cantus, the world-renowned treble choir from Trondheim, Norway.

Prior to his role at Drake, Brimeyer led the vocal music program at Urbandale High School for fifteen years, directing seven performing ensembles with a combined enrollment of 470 students. Under his leadership, the choirs earned recognition at state, regional, and national levels, including the 2020 American Prize in Choral Performance, the 2019 American Choral Directors Association Conference, the 2017 Iowa Choral Showcase, and Regional ACDA Conferences in 2022, 2016, and 2014. In 2022, the Iowa Choral Directors Association named him the inaugural Outstanding High School/Post-Secondary Choral Educator.

A passionate advocate for living composers, Brimeyer established the Composer in Residence Project at Urbandale High School, commissioning works for mixed, treble, and bass ensembles and offering students the opportunity to workshop music directly with composers.

Brimeyer recently joined Plymouth Church in Des Moines as director of children, teens, and families and the Matins Choir. He is honored to contribute to Plymouth’s storied musical tradition and its strong social justice mission.

Guiding Star Award

Fred Kammeier

’58 English, business administration
Des Moines, IA

Fred Kammeier earned his degree from Iowa State University while on an NROTC scholarship, commissioning as a Marine Corps officer upon graduation. Following Basic School, he served as a 1302 combat engineer, leading units composed of Marines from diverse occupational specialties. His assignments included commanding the 3rd Marine Division’s Ammunition Supply Company, instructing at the USMC Engineering School, serving as assistant S-3 at Court House Bay, Camp Lejeune, and ultimately leading the USMC Demolition and Mine Warfare School.

After completing his military service, Kammeier worked as a field examiner for the National Association of Securities Dealers in New York City. He earned an MBA in finance from New York University in 1964 before returning to Iowa to continue his professional career.

He and his wife, Ruth Chamberlain, have been married for 47 years and have three children: Laura Kammeier ’84, Jack Kammeier (Northwestern ’86), and Cynthia Kammeier ’88. Kammeier’s legacy spans military leadership, financial stewardship, and a lasting influence on the communities he has served.

Department of Physics and Astronomy: Outstanding Alumni Award

Michael Padgett

Ph.D. ’80 physics
Houston, TX

Michael Padgett earned his Ph.D. in physics from Iowa State University in 1980, where he studied under Dr. Robert A. Leacock of the High Energy Theory group. His dissertation explored Quantum Hamilton-Jacobi Theory through the lens of “Quantum Action-Angle Variables,” contributing to an independent formulation of quantum mechanics. This work was later published in a series of papers throughout the 1980s and extended by others to include scattering states. Padgett credits Dr. Leacock not only for shaping his academic foundation, but for instilling a lifelong approach to analysis and problem-solving.

Originally from Iowa, Padgett’s transition from theoretical physics to industry began at McDonnell Douglas in Houston, where he developed software for the space shuttle program. He then pivoted to oil-and-gas geophysics, a field he has worked in for more than 35 years. Though seemingly unrelated, seismic exploration relies on elastic wave scattering theory — making it a natural extension of his physics training. Padgett has consistently applied scientific thinking to complex commercial and earth science challenges, bringing clarity and innovation to unconventional problems.

Throughout his career, he has remained deeply grateful for the mentorship and intellectual rigor he experienced at Iowa State. He is one of many who carry forward the legacy of faculty like Dr. Leacock, whose guidance left a lasting imprint on generations of students.

Department of Political Science: Outstanding Alumni Award

Rob Denson

’70 political science, economics
Ankeny, IA

Rob Denson became the fourth president of Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC) in 2003, making history as the first native-born Iowan to hold the role. Now in his 21st year, he is DMACC’s longest-serving president, having led the college through transformative growth and innovation. Rob and his wife Pat share a deep commitment to Iowa, DMACC, and student success, and are proud parents of two children and grandparents to five.

Raised on a farm near Homestead, Iowa, Rob attended a one-room country school before graduating from Marengo High School. He earned a B.S. in Political Science and Economics and a Master’s in higher education administration from Iowa State University, where he also served as assistant dean. After completing his law degree at the University of Florida, Rob practiced as a board-certified civil trial lawyer for 16 years before transitioning to higher education leadership.

His return to Iowa in 1998 as President of Northeast Iowa Community College set the stage for his tenure at DMACC, where enrollment has grown from 20,734 to over 36,000 students. Under his leadership, DMACC has become a recognized leader in post-secondary education, workforce development, and business collaboration. Rob serves on numerous state and regional boards, including the Governor’s STEM Advisory Council, the Iowa Innovation Council, and the Greater Des Moines Partnership. In 2024, he was inducted into the Iowa Business Hall of Fame and received the Karen Evans Immigrant Champion Award.

Department of Psychology: Distinguished Alumni Award

CDR Zewditu Demissie

’02 genetics, psychology
Clarkston, GA

CDR Zewditu (Zewde) Demissie serves as Associate Director for Science (ADS) in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Division of Birth Defects and Infant Disorders, where she guides scientific strategy and advances public health research to improve maternal and child outcomes related to birth defects, infant disorders, and related conditions..

Since joining the CDC in 2010, she has held a range of leadership roles, including Deputy ADS in the Division of Reproductive Health, Team Lead in the Office of Health Equity, Associate Chief of Science in the Division of Violence Prevention, and multiple positions in the Division of Adolescent and School Health, including Supervisory Epidemiologist, Senior Research Scientist, and Epidemic Intelligence Service Officer.

CDR Demissie earned dual bachelor’s degrees in genetics and psychology from Iowa State University, followed by a Master of Public Health in epidemiology from the University of Minnesota and a Ph.D. in epidemiology from UNC–Chapel Hill. She also holds a graduate certificate in global health from the Uniformed Services University.

A respected scientist and public health leader, CDR Demissie has authored more than 50 peer-reviewed publications and contributed to over 60 scientific presentations. She has also served in key leadership roles within the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, including as Chair of the Scientist Professional Advisory Committee and President of the Atlanta Commissioned Officers Association.

Her career reflects a deep commitment to advancing health equity, supporting scientific excellence, and mentoring the next generation of public health professionals.

Department of Statistics: Distinguished Alumni Award

Doug Jensen

’89 statistics, journalism and mass communication
New York City, NY

Doug Jensen is a seasoned data and analytics executive with deep expertise in building analytics capabilities that accelerate digital transformation. A trusted advisor to chief marketing officers, he brings a strategic, cross-functional lens to navigating complex, multi-category and multi-brand global organizations — consistently driving measurable business outcomes.

Jensen is a recognized leader in marketing analytics, with specialized proficiency in marketing mix modeling, digital/social/earned media, MarTech and CRM strategy, and marketing upskilling. He is also known for cultivating high-performing teams and retaining top analytics talent.

Jensen began his career on the vendor side, spending 15 years delivering analytics solutions at Nielsen (now NielsenIQ) and IRI (now Circana). He then transitioned to in-house leadership roles at Avon Products and The Estée Lauder Companies, where he spent 19 years advancing data-driven marketing strategies across the beauty sector. In July 2025, Jensen returned to the vendor space, joining the French-based data science firm Ekimetrics in a business development role.

Department of World Languages and Cultures: Distinguished Alumni Award

Em Puhl

’06 Spanish, history
Brooklyn, NY

Em Puhl serves as a senior attorney at Brooklyn Defender Services, where they advise criminal defense attorneys on the immigration consequences of family and criminal court proceedings. Their work supports holistic advocacy for immigrant clients navigating complex legal systems.

Prior to joining BDS, Puhl worked with the Immigrant Defense Project in New York City and the Immigrant Legal Resource Center in California’s San Joaquin Valley, providing training, technical assistance, and legal guidance to immigrant communities and advocates. Their areas of focus included ICE enforcement, family-based immigration, asylum, and public charge policy.

Puhl has also provided direct representation to immigrants as an Immigrant Justice Corps Fellow at Legal Services NYC and served as an attorney advisor at the San Francisco Immigration Court, part of the U.S. Department of Justice.

Puhl’s career reflects a deep commitment to immigrant justice, legal education, and community-centered advocacy.

Scientific Illustration and Visualization: Distinguished Alumni Award

Joan Kozel

’76 biological illustration
Madison, WI

Joan Kozel graduated from Iowa State University in 1976 with a degree in biological illustration — the first Individual Major ever awarded at the university. When she transferred to ISU in 1974, no formal program aligned with her goal of communicating science through art and graphics. With support and guidance from faculty, she designed a major that combined biology, art, and illustration projects. Her initiative helped lay the foundation for what is now the Scientific Illustration and Visualization Program.

Kozel joined the University of Wisconsin Medical School in 1977, where she took medical courses to deepen her expertise. As senior medical illustrator at UW Hospital and Clinics, she worked across specialties and developed innovative graphic exhibit methods to streamline complex information. In addition to managing the medical art department for eight years, she contributed to award-winning projects, coauthored several papers, and helped shape the visual communication of medical science.

After freelancing from 2004 to 2017, Kozel is now retired.

Communication Studies: Distinguished Alumni Award

Kori Heuss

’96 interpersonal communication
Ames, IA

Kori Heuss is a communications strategist, entrepreneur, and advocate for Iowa’s business community. A 1996 graduate of Iowa State University with a degree in interpersonal communication, she has built a career at the intersection of marketing, manufacturing, and economic development. She spent several years working in economic development and believes in growing businesses in the State of Iowa, purchasing the business her father founded, Heuss Printing, and later, Des Moines based firm, Pioneer Communications. She owns the Standing Ovation program and through it, donates over $400,000 to Central Iowa Arts organizations annually.

Under her leadership, the company has expanded to offer digital and screen printing, embroidery, branded apparel, promotional products, and social media management, serving clients across the U.S. and shipping globally. The company operates with a guiding principle: the vision to communicate yours.

Heuss’s commitment to professional growth is reflected in her continued education, including the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Institute for Organization Management (2004), the Milwaukee Institute for Graphic Communication Executives (2009), and the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program (2023).

Her work has earned recognition at both local and state levels. While at Iowa State, she received a LEAD Student Achievement Award, and in 2007, she was honored with a 4 Under 40 Award from the Ames Chamber of Commerce. In 2006, she received recognition from the Ames Mayor for starting the F.A.C.E.S. festival (Families in Ames Celebrating Ethnicities). She was a founding member of both Young Professionals of Ames and Young Professionals of Iowa. In 2019, The Iowan Magazine, owned by Heuss, received the George Mills & Louise Noun Popular History Award from the State Historical Society of Iowa. Most recently, she was named a finalist for the Confidence Award for Inspiring Women of Iowa by the Girl Scouts of Greater Iowa in 2024.

Communication Studies: Outstanding Achievement by a Young Alumni Award

Emma Runde

’14 communication studies, Spanish
Des Moines, IA

Emma Runde is the marketing and events manager at Food Bank of Iowa, where she leads direct marketing, brand awareness, and signature events that mobilize Iowans in the fight against hunger. With a blend of creativity and purpose, she uses marketing and philanthropy to connect people with meaningful opportunities to support their neighbors and strengthen communities. Emma has been with Food Bank of Iowa for six years, bringing deep experience in nonprofit development and a passion for service.

Prior to joining the food bank, she worked at Iowa Homeless Youth Centers (a YSS program), supporting transition-age youth experiencing homelessness. Emma’s commitment to community extends beyond her professional role. She serves as vice chair of the Polk County Extension Council and part of ISU Extension and Outreach, where she continues her lifelong connection to 4-H and civic engagement.

She lives in Des Moines with her husband, Tim, and their two young children, Genevieve and Elliott — grounding her work in the values of family, service, and connection.