Eastern Iowa Community Colleges (EICC) recently recognized 22 faculty and staff members whose work is advancing student success, strengthening education, and bringing the college’s mission to life.
The 2026 Chancellor’s Award recipients were announced Sept. 25 during EICC’s Fall Development Day. The employees were honored across four categories: Academic Excellence and Innovation, Student Success and Support, Community Engagement and Lifelong Learning, and Operational Excellence and Stewardship.
EICC also announced the first project funded through its new Strategic Plan Grant Program, which supports employee-led ideas connected to the college’s highest priorities.
“These recipients show what is possible when talented people see an opportunity, bring others together, and follow through,” said EICC Chancellor Bryan Renfro, PhD. “Their work strengthens our college, supports our students, and extends our impact across the communities we serve. We are fortunate to have so many people across EICC whose ideas, dedication, and leadership make a difference every day,” he added.
The 2026 Chancellor’s Award recipients:
Academic Excellence and Innovation:
Gary Buckley and Eric Carr
Recognized for an interdisciplinary honors project using slime mold to help students explore psychology, political science, decision-making, and collective behavior through hands-on experimentation.
Academic Excellence and Innovation:
Amber Hotchkiss
Recognized for strengthening the Health Information Management and Cancer Information Management programs through expanded professional placements, improved processes, and broader outreach to students and community partners.
Student Success and Support:
Shawna Shields
Recognized for expanding Career Services through the Career Champions program, which prepares faculty and staff to bring guidance and resources into classrooms, advising, student organizations, and other spaces students already use.
Student Success and Support:
Marketing and Communications Team
Johnna Kerres, Nathan Klaus, Nicole Harrison, Dawn Neuses, Eli Kayser, Matt Thomas, and Griffin Wagner — Recognized for leading an inclusive process to develop EICC’s unified mascot, giving students, faculty, and staff a voice in creating a shared symbol of connection, belonging, and pride.
Community Engagement and Lifelong Learning:
Karri Frank
Recognized for revitalizing Continuing Education, expanding programs and partnerships, and creating more opportunities for learners of all ages to build skills and move forward.
Community Engagement and Lifelong Learning:
Leallen Ehlers
Recognized for building trusted employer partnerships, developing customized workforce training, and creating education-to-employment pathways through programs.
Operational Excellence and Stewardship:
Brandon Lange
Recognized for guiding major online learning and technology transitions while strengthening faculty support, course quality, and the systems students rely on.
Operational Excellence and Stewardship:
Katy Rush
Recognized for improving financial aid workflows through better use of existing technology, making processes faster and more accurate while strengthening compliance and reducing risk.
First Strategic Plan Grant awarded
EICC also announced the first project funded through its Strategic Plan Grant Program,
launched last spring to support employee-led projects tied to the college’s priorities.
The Student Engagement and Support Services Tracking Initiative at EICC’s Clinton campus was selected for the first round of funding.
Led by Mat Endress, Dylan Temple, Courtney Pritchard, Heather Evans, Amy Carroll, Kelsey Snyder, and Tishly Herrington, the pilot will allow students to use their ID card or a mobile app to check in at campus events, tutoring, activities, club meetings, and other support services.
The project is expected to reach approximately 350 Clinton students and give EICC better information about which services students use and how engagement connects with retention and student success. The pilot could also establish a model for future expansion across EICC.