Celebrating Excellence

Educational Leadership Legacy Award to SAI's Lisa Remy

Lisa Remy, executive director of the School Administrators of Iowa (SAI) and former school superintendent for West Des Moines Community Schools, received the 2025 UNI Educational Leadership Legacy Award in June.

“Lisa was the unanimous choice for this year’s award. Not only has she had a storied professional career, she is also a go-to speaker in UNI leadership classes, presenting on such topics as motivating staff, creating a lasting vision and directing limited resources where they can have the most impact,” says Sharon Dentlinger, associate professor of practice with the educational leadership faculty. “She is one of the most recognizable and respected school leaders in Iowa and we are proud that she chose UNI for all of her training.”

Remy (‘89, BA, ‘90, ASC/EdD) has been with SAI since 2022. She began her career as a teacher in the Hudson Community School District before moving into administrative roles there and with West Des Moines schools. Her initiatives include project- based learning and expanding preschool programs.

The annual award, honoring the legacy of educator and school administrator Vernon Kirlin (‘46, BA), goes to alumni who demonstrate core values of leadership, service and/or change.

RTNL program accredited once again

UNI’s Recreation, Tourism and Nonprofit Leadership (RTNL) program has again been granted accreditation through 2031 by the Council on Accreditation of Parks, Recreation, Tourism and Related Professions (COAPRT).

In its November 2024 notification, COAPRT commended the program for its strong institutional support, comprehensive advising services, robust experiential learning opportunities and positive alumni feedback, particularly noting that graduates feel well prepared to enter the workforce. The RTNL program has maintained continuous accreditation since 1986.

In addition to a major and minor in RTNL, the program provides specialized certificates in areas such as youth work, outdoor education, nonprofit management and tourism.

Presidential honor to teaching alums

Lori Randall (BA, ‘89, MA, ‘95) and Angela Schneden (‘00, BA, ‘06, MA) were among the six Iowa teachers named in January as the latest recipients of the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST).

Both elementary teachers were honored within the mathematics category for 2022. They were selected from nominations originally submitted for 2021-23. The PAEMST award is the highest honor in the U.S. dedicated to K-12 science, technology, engineering, mathematics and computer science teaching.

Randall is now retired from the Osage Community School District; Schneden is with the Ankeny Community School District.

US News 'best online' rankings include BA Programs

For the first time, College of Education online programming at the bachelor’s degree level joined graduate programs as being recognized as among the best in the 2025 U.S. News & World Report rankings for “Best Online Programs.”

In addition to eight master’s programs honored within the ranking, also recognized were the elementary education Online Transfer Program and Purple Pathway for Paraeducators bachelor’s degree programs.

The online coursework is offered in conjunction with the Division of Online Education and Individual Studies in the College of Graduate, Research and Online Education.

'Cedar Rock' research leads to national award

“Cedar Rock,” a book by Rod Dieser, professor of recreation, tourism and nonprofit leadership, and co-author Kathryn Hund, has earned the Ney C. Landrum Park History Award from the National Association of State Park Directors for its original research on state park history.

The historical souvenir book focuses on the Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Walter Estate at Cedar Rock State Park in Independence, Iowa. Deiser’s knowledge of the estate also supported a collaboration with Travel Iowa, the park and Mason City tourism which has led to a new Iowa Travel website on Frank Lloyd Wright architecture in Iowa. The book previously earned Dieser an award from the Iowa State Historical Society.

Book earns Meacham accolades

Soh Meacham, associate dean, graduate studies and research, received the “Outstanding Book Honorable Mention” from the Society of Professors of Education for her book “Supporting Korean American Children in Early Childhood Education.”

Five COE grads among local gold star teaching honorees

Honored for outstanding teaching as a Black Hawk County Gold Star Teacher this year by KWWL-TV and the R.J. McElroy Trust were Shakari Baker-Bruce, (‘17, BA, ‘22, BA, ‘25, MAE), Emily Borcherding (‘07, BA, ‘12, MA), Amanda El-Hamdouni (‘14, BA), Mindy Fisher (‘99 BA, ‘10, MA) and Courtney Solberg (‘18, BA).

Faculty cited as 'textbook champions'

Nine College of Education faculty members who adopted a free textbook in one or more courses were recognized as Textbook Equity Champions by the Rod Library. They were among the 108 faculty across four colleges and the library who contributed to an initiative which saved UNI students more than $2.9 million to date and about $900,000 in 2024 alone.

Recognized were: Megan Balong, Eva Chen and Carrie Elser, Educational Foundations and Professional Experiences; J.D. Cryer, Elementary and Middle Level Education; Sunah Chung, Amy Sandvold, Soh Meacham, Sarah Vander Zanden, Literacy, Early Childhood and Special Education; and Chris Kowalski, Learning, Leadership and Community.