Regents Excellence Awards

September 17, 2024

Led effort for polling on presidential candidate preferences among potential attendees of the Republican and Democratic Iowa caucuses.
Directed surveys of prospective Iowa caucus attendees, reaching an estimated 658 million readers in 2020.
Co-chaired the University Course Evaluation Working Group, standardizing the course evaluation process across campus during COVID-19.
Received more than $1 million in funding from the National Science Foundation as principal investigator or co-principal investigator.
Authored three books, including "Ignored Racism: White Animus Toward Latinos," which received the 2021 best book award from the American Political Science Association Section on Race, Ethnicity and Politics.

Serving her fourth term on the Faculty Senate. Her service has included leading a senate council and several committees to impact shared governance.
Provided expertise on the task force on the Use and Ownership of Instructional Materials, updating a policy stagnant for 50 years.
Chairs the Student Athlete Experience Committee for the ISU Athletics Council to strengthen the experience of Cyclone student athletes.
Organized Admitted Students Day for the kinesiology department and participated as a faculty panel member for university orientation for students and families.
Mentored undergraduates' research efforts, including 25 Honors students' theses.

Secured continuous funding since 2008 from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) for her research group.
Assembled and led a multidisciplinary team for a $3 million DOE grant to develop advanced spectroscopic instruments.
Mentored 17 Ph.D. students and 30 undergraduate researchers.
Hosts high school students and teachers in her laboratory during the summer, fostering early interest in STEM fields.
Nomination letter: "Dr. Smith is the most effective grant writer I have ever met."

Testified on land use policy before the Iowa Legislature, influencing state-level policy decisions.
Served on the Empower Rural Iowa task force, contributing to legislative recommendations that promoted rural housing, businesses and connectivity.
Developed the "Introduction to Planning and Zoning" workshops attended by more than 4,100 people in 96 Iowa counties.
Created the Midwest Planning BLUZ blog that has 700 to 1,000 monthly visits, providing updates on planning laws and case examples.
Received multiple awards for excellence in extension work, including the Iowa American Planning Association President's Council Leadership Award and national recognition for flood education projects.

Initiated the Iowa Board of Regents shadowing program to create direct interactions between regents and more than 60 faculty members.
Has served as chief faculty marshal for 23 years to help plan and execute multiple commencement ceremonies each semester.
Elected Faculty Senate president and served several terms on the executive council while holding numerous council and committee chairs.
Helped expand the biology core courses and develop needed upper-level courses.
Nomination letter: "Rob is central to governance and leadership at ISU and has been for decades."

As Iowa State's first full-time honors and awards coordinator, shaped the position to maximize its impact and enhance the university's national reputation.
Worked with college leaders and departments to identify deserving faculty and increase the number of award recipients.
Works with nominees to coordinate strong nomination packets and meet deadlines.
Initiated a higher education promotional campaign and developed a dedicated website to disseminate achievements broadly.
Envisioned and organized the first honors and awards recognition celebration (2023) to highlight faculty and staff achievements and promote a culture of recognition on campus.
Nomination letter: "I want to underscore the tremendous creativity and initiative that Kirsten has brought to her work. She is someone who always has an idea to bring forward."

Led the onboarding of and promotes continuous improvement of the VDL's quality management system software.
Developed an elevated quality assurance program early in the pandemic to help the VDL's Public Health Testing Services laboratory achieve certification for COVID-19 human testing.
Served as the principal VDL staff liaison with ISU facilities planning and outside firms to plan, design and construct the new VDL building.
Manages the review process for more than 7,000 active documents within the VDL's Quality System regularly, ensuring compliance and successful audits.
Rather than mandating quality assurance requirements to them, collaborates with VDL staff to understand their processes and find efficient ways to meet quality management requirements.

Led the department through transitions during the implementation of improved service delivery and Workday.
Ensures department events are accessible and inclusive.
Supported the department's governance and award committees to process award nominations and faculty promotions.
Her volunteer commitments include Open Line (crisis intervention phone line), United Way, sewing and quilting for sick children, Ames Public Library and Food at First.
Nomination letter: "Many of us owe a debt to Nancy for her unfailing reliability, creativity, skill, intelligence, impact and no-nonsense ability to get what needs to be done, done."

As center director, significantly expanded its reach and improved its services to support thousands of Business students.
Created a two-part workshop for students on using artificial intelligence with effective ChatGPT prompts.
Led the Professional and Scientific Council as president-elect, president and past president (2021-24).
Volunteers regularly at Destination Iowa State, Greek awards ceremonies and various Ivy College of Business events.
Founded Love From Me to You in 2020, providing lasagna meals to individuals in need throughout central Iowa, and hopes to make it a not-for-profit organization.

Regents Award for Faculty Excellence