2023 Graduate College Awards
Celebrating excellence and scholarship at UNI
During the 2022-2023 academic year, faculty and students at the University of Northern Iowa have continued to work hard and dedicate themselves to innovative research and education.
This time we can shake hands and greet each other in person, the Graduate College would like to take a moment to celebrate excellence in graduate education at UNI. Congratulations to our award winners!
Outstanding Faculty Award Winners
Outstanding Graduate Faculty Teaching Award
Clinical Coordinator of Mental Health Counseling
Outstanding Graduate Coordinator 22-23
Dr. Jennifer Garret
Communication Sciences & Disorders
Dr. Helen Harton
Psychology
Dr. C. Kyle Rudick
Communication & Media
Dr. David Schmid
Ed Psychology, Foundations, & Leadership Studies
Outstanding Graduate Secretary 22-23
Lexi Byrnes
Languages & Literatures
Janelle Finke
Continuing Ed & Special Programs
Shelly Frein
Biology
Staycie Lyman
Women’s & Gender Studies
Outstanding Doctoral Dissertation Award
FIRST PLACE
Dr. Abby Weiland, Curriculum & Instruction EdD
Advisor Dr. Sarah Vander Zanden
SECOND PLACE
Dr. Michael Fisher, Ed. Leadership EdD
"Teacher Hiring and Selection Processes in Iowa Schools"
Advisor: Dr. Timothy Gilson
Outstanding Master’s Thesis Award
FIRST PLACE
Ms. Kenzie Heusinkvelt, School Psychology EdS
"Training for Challenging Behaviors in the School Setting"
Advisor: Dr. Nicole Skaar
SECOND PLACE
Mr. Nicholas Clark, Psychology MA
"Mental Illness Stigma Toward Black and White Elite Male Athletes"
Advisor: Dr. Elizabeth Lefler
Outstanding Creative Master's Thesis
FIRST PLACE
Mr. Isaac Campbell, Comm & Media MA
"Pasting our past: Cultural memory, family photographs, and ephemeral street art"
Advisor: Bettina Fabos
Three Minute Thesis Winners
FIRST PLACE
"On the Haunting of Public Memory: Remembering the Dakota 38+2"
Noel Keil
Communication & Media
SECOND PLACE
Sara Awachi
Women's and Gender Studies
PEOPLE'S CHOICE
Noel Keil
Communication & Media
Graduate Assistant First Award
This award recognizes Graduate Assistants who excel in commitment, initiative and engagement in their program and at UNI. Supervisors are encouraged to nominate Graduate Assistants who demonstrate consistent abilities to overcome obstacles, show optimism, coordinate work, and embody high standards throughout their time at UNI.
Recipients A-L
- Andrew Abrams
- Danejia Lobdell
- Dylan Haase
- Hannah Menken
- Hannah Schmidt
- Jerrell Bates
- Kerrigan Tisor
- Lauren Leman
Recipients M-Z
- Lexi Harpenau
- Lexi Retz
- Madison Motz
- Olivia Calvin
- Riley Rodemaker
- Saydie Peter
- Shyanne Sporrer
- Whitman Cler