The annual awards from the College of Engineering and the University of Iowa recognize excellence in faculty and staff members, as well as longevity awards recognizing years of service to the College of Engineering. A ceremony was held on October 22, 2025, to recognize the recipients.
2025 College of Engineering Excellence Awards
Early Career Faculty Excellence Award
Yuliang Xie, assistant professor, Biomedical Engineering
Nominated by Sarah Vigmostad
Faculty Award for Excellence in Service
Ed Sander, professor, Biomedical Engineering
Nominated by: Sarah Vigmostad
Faculty Award for Excellence in Teaching
Colleen Bringman, associate professor of instruction, Biomedical Engineering
Nominated by: Kristan Worthington
Beth Rundlett, professor of practice, Chemical and Biochemical Engineering
Nominated by: Jun Wang
Faculty Award for Excellence in Research
Sharif Rahman, professor, Mechanical Engineering
Nominated by: Ching-Long Lin
KEEN Campus Rising Star Award
Colleen Bringman, associate professor of instruction, Biomedical Engineering
Nominated by: College of Engineering leadership
Staff Excellence Award for Research
Xi Chen, assistant research scientist/engineer, Iowa Technology Institute
Nominated by: Jun Wang
Staff Excellence Award for Community Engagement
Jason Knox, CAD drafter/designer, IIHR—Hydroscience and Engineering
Nominated by: Megan Allen
Staff Excellence Award for Student Success
Josh Atcher, director of academic advising and student support, Engineering Student Success Team
Nominated by: Justine Hines
Mary Sheedy Staff Excellence Award
Rose Schmitt, research coordination specialist, Driving Safety Research Institute
Nominated by: Tim Brown
2025 University of Iowa award recipients
Board of Regents Staff Excellence Award
- Omar Ahmad, Driving Safety Research Institute
- Keith Schilling, Iowa Geological Survey
UI Outstanding Staff Award
James Niemeier, IIHR—Hydroscience and Engineering
Regents Award for Faculty Excellence
Tom Schnell, Industrial and Systems Engineering
Michael J. Brody Award for Faculty Excellence in Service
David Cwiertny, Civil and Environmental Engineering
President and Provost Award for Teaching Excellence
Gary Christensen, Electrical and Computer Engineering
Innovation in Teaching with Technology Award
Colleen Bringman, Biomedical Engineering
Longevity Awards
Recognizing years with the College of Engineering
40-year award
- David Funk, computer systems administrator, Engineering Administration
30-year award
- Marian Muste, research engineer, IIHR—Hydroscience and Engineering
20-year award
- Melanie Laverman, engineering web content manager, Engineering Administration
15-year award
- Natalie Dejardin, departmental administrator, Industrial and Systems Engineering
- Sandra Gerard, program coordinator, IIHR—Hydroscience and Engineering
- Daniel Gilles, water resources engineer, IIHR—Hydroscience and Engineering
- Radoslaw Goska, senior application developer, IIHR—Hydroscience and Engineering
- Michelle Reyes, senior research associate, Driving Safety Research Institute
- Cheryl Roe, AV transportation and outreach specialist, Driving Safety Research Institute
10-year award
- Breanna Shea, program manager, Iowa Flood Center, IIHR—Hydroscience and Engineering
- Thomas Stoeffler, environmental field associate, IIHR—Hydroscience and Engineering
- Laura Vasser, engineering student services administrator, Engineering Administration
5-year award
- Jordan Barnett, environmental field assistant, IIHR—Hydroscience and Engineering
- Cole Bowermaster, director of development, College of Engineering, UI Center for Advancement
- Wei Cheng, assistant research scientist, Iowa Technology Institute
- Brian Morelli, assistant director of marketing and communications, Engineering Administration
- David Purdy, research support specialist, IIHR—Hydroscience and Engineering
- Kristine Roggentien, communications manager, Engineering Administration
