Honors and awards
Three faculty receive White House early career award
Three faculty have received the 2025 Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE), the highest honor the U.S. government bestows on outstanding scientists and engineers who show exceptional potential for leadership early in their careers. Each Presidential award winner receives funding from their national agency for up to five years. In the case of each ISU recipient, the funding agency is the National Science Foundation. In addition to recognizing innovative and far-reaching developments in science and technology, the award highlights the scientific missions of the participating agencies and the importance of science and technology for the country's future. Among the 400 scientists honored this year, Iowa State's recipients are:
- Soumik Sarkar, Walter W. Wilson Faculty Fellow in Engineering, professor of mechanical engineering and director of Iowa State's Translational AI Center
- Dipali Sashital, professor in biochemistry, biophysics and molecular biology
- Zengyi Shao, Hershel B. Whitney Professor for Global Initiatives and professor in chemical and biological engineering
Neuhold-Ravikumar named technical assistance coach for national pilot arts program
The National Endowment for the Arts named Ruki Neuhold-Ravikumar, professor of practice in graphic design, one of six technical assistance coaches for a new program, ArtsHERE. In this role, she will advise nearly 20 of the 112 nonprofit organizations selected to receive an ArtsHERE grant to strengthen their capacity to sustain community engagement and increase arts participation for underserved groups and communities. The pilot program is managed by Atlanta-based South Arts in collaboration with the other five U.S. regional arts organizations.
Admissions team receives international recruitment award
The office of admissions' international recruitment team, which is led by Jorge Calderon, received the 2024 Institution of the Year award from the Association of International Enrollment Management. The award recognizes a member institution that stands out for its staff innovation, commitment to the association's mission and excellence in the field of international education. Iowa State was recognized specifically for its recruitment efforts and admitted student events around the world; collaboration with agent partners through webinars, trainings and global events; and for hosting multiple campus visits for counselors, agents and EducationUSA advisors.
Pappajohn Center, Ivy Business college recognized for entrepreneurship research
The Pappajohn Center for Entrepreneurship and the Ivy College of Business received the 2024 Award for Exceptional Contributions in Entrepreneurship Research from the Global Consortium of Entrepreneurship Centers, an academic organization for university-based entrepreneurship centers. The recognition reflects the robust and innovative research produced by Ivy faculty, in collaboration with entrepreneurship faculty and leaders across Iowa State's colleges and divisions, as well as initiatives developed in partnership with the Pappajohn Center that enhance the university's reputation as a leader in entrepreneurship education and research. The award underscores the unique collaboration between the Pappajohn Center and the Ivy College of Business.
Communications units capture district awards
Iowa State units received five Best of District VI recognitions in the annual CASE Circle of Excellence awards program:
- Haylee Sheppard, University Library, AI illustration for Bookmarks magazine cover, fall 2023 edition, category: Design: Illustrations
- University Library, Bookmarks magazine, fall 2023 edition, Design: Publications
- College of Engineering, Cyclone Engineering Magazine, spring 2023, Design: Covers
- ISU Foundation, Forward magazine, spring 2023 edition, Communications: Storytelling
- President's division, 2023 President's Holiday Message, Videos: Holiday/Year-end
