College of Health and Human Sciences recognizes Spring 2026 Graduating Senior Awardees

The College of Health and Human Sciences recognizes six outstanding students who have demonstrated exceptional dedication throughout their time at Iowa State University. These students have excelled not only academically but also through leadership, service, and involvement within their fields and communities. Their achievements reflect strong academic performance, support from faculty and peers, and a consistent commitment to personal and professional growth. Each student has gone above and beyond to make a positive impact both in and out of the classroom. As a result of their hard work and accomplishments, they are graduating with distinction and represent the very best of the College of Health and Human Sciences.

University Marshal: Erin Line (Summa Cum Laude)

Erin Line is graduating summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Family Studies and a minor in Psychology, along with several relevant certifications. Throughout her coursework, Line has demonstrated advanced critical thinking skills, a strong integration of theory and practice, and a commitment to ethical, evidence-based work. She has gained extensive professional and leadership experience during her time at Iowa State, including her current role as a teaching assistant with Child Serve in Ames, where she supports young children with developmental, social-emotional, and behavioral needs in the classroom. Line also served as a summer enrichment intern at Orchard Place, supporting youth residents at a mental health and residential treatment center by planning and coordinating activities and facilitating recreational therapy groups. She previously completed a practicum at Iowa State’s Child Care Center and worked as an assistant teacher at the Learning Garden in Nebraska. Her volunteer experience includes active involvement in Best Buddies and fundraising with her sorority, Pi Beta Phi, to support literacy-based programs. This summer, Line will begin an internship at Jenda Family Services as a Family Support Worker and will continue in that role while pursuing a master’s degree in social work at the University of Nebraska-Omaha.

“Receiving the honor of being a University Student Marshal for the College of Health and Human Services means a lot to me. It shows that the hard work, stress, and time I put into my education truly paid off. It is more than just an award — it shows that I have remained committed to my work, pushed through the challenges I faced, and truly love what I do,” she said. “It feels surreal to represent my college to stand on behalf of the graduates at the convocation and commencement ceremony. I am especially proud to receive this honor in front of my family, because they played a huge role in getting me here. Their encouragement and support kept me going, and this accomplishment reflects everything they have done to help me succeed.”

College Marshal: Gracianna Venerable (Summa Cum Laude)

Gracianna Venerable is graduating summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Dietetics and a minor in Human Development and Family Studies. During her time at Iowa State, she has actively pursued academic, professional, and leadership opportunities and was named to the Dean’s List for three semesters. Venerable has worked for the past two years as a Joyful Eating Intern with Iowa State University Student Health and Wellness, where she provided meal-planning counseling, developed nutrition education resources, and collaborated with a campus dietitian to support student health initiatives. She also served as a student storeroom manager for MacKay Food Labs, coordinating the preparation and distribution of lab ingredients for multiple courses, communicating with faculty, and managing a team of storeroom employees. Her involvement includes participation in the Transcend-UP Fellowship, a program focused on professional development and mentorship. She also served as copresident of Iowa State’s Student Dietetic Association, assisted with a presentation at a STEM conference, and studied abroad in Puerto Rico. After graduation, Venerable will pursue a Master of Clinical Nutrition at the University of Iowa.

“Receiving this award reflects not only my hard work but most importantly, the many people who have supported and guided me throughout my time at ISU,” she said. “I am truly grateful for all the mentorship I have received and for the students I have had the privilege of working with.”

Dean’s Recognition Award: Odalys Garcia Jimenez (Summa Cum Laude)

Odalys Garcia Jimenez is graduating summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education, along with endorsements in K-8 Reading, K-8 English as a Second Language, and K-8 Social Studies. She earned a 4.0 grade point average and was named to the Dean’s List every semester she attended Iowa State. Garcia Jimenez completed practicum experiences at King Elementary in Des Moines, where she collaborated with English as a Second Language teachers and others to help students explore college education as an attainable path. She also completed a practicum at Maple Grove Elementary in Waukee, where she received distinguished ratings in all evaluation areas, including instructional planning, student engagement, and professional growth. She completed her student teaching with fourth-grade students at Lincoln Elementary in Spencer, Iowa, and with tenth-grade students at Kaohsiung Industrial High School in Taiwan. Garcia Jimenez also served as an Academic Skills Coach with Iowa State’s Student Success Center, providing personalized coaching to fellow students and leading seminars on effective academic practices. She further gained experience as an education intern with Iowa PBS during the summer of 2025, leading educational activities for children at local farmers’ markets as part of a healthy food initiative and supporting the planning of Be My Neighbor Day, an event attended by more than 1,500 individuals from across the state. After graduation, Garcia Jimenez will begin her teaching career as a district-wide K-12 English as a Second Language teacher in Spencer.

“Receiving this award is deeply personal to me. Growing up in a rural town after moving from Mexico, I often felt like I didn’t measure up because my family and I were different. I was blessed to find a community that was welcoming and supportive, and their belief in me changed everything,” she said. “I will forever be thankful to Iowa State for helping me grow into the teacher and person I am today. I’m accepting this award with my eight-year-old self and my future students in mind. This is for them: proof that if I can do it, so can they. Si, se puede!”

Dean’s Recognition Award: Cecelia Hill (Summa Cum Laude)

Cecelia Hill is graduating summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology and Health in the Pre-Health Professions focus area, along with a minor in Psychology. She graduates with a 4.0 grade point average as a member of the University Honors Program and has been named to the Dean’s and President’s Lists multiple times. Hill is the recipient of several scholarships and awards, including the Winifred Tilden High Scholar Award, the Career Endowed 4H Scholarship, the Alice McCarthy Commons Memorial Scholarship, and the Outstanding University Honors Program Member Award. She has excelled as an undergraduate researcher in Dr. Elizabeth Stegemöller’s Alternative Medicine and Music for Parkinson’s Disease Lab, where she completed her honors capstone project examining verbal and visual cues for upper and lower-extremity movement in individuals with Parkinson’s disease. She also contributed to a second study on the effects of group therapeutic singing on clinical motor symptoms, presenting research both domestically and internationally and serving as an author on the resulting manuscript. Beyond her research, Hill is actively engaged in campus and community service as president of the Pre-Health Club, an ambassador for the College of Health and Human Sciences, a member of ExerCYse is Medicine and the Iowa State University Marching Band, and a volunteer with more than 100 hours of Parkinson’s disease therapy service. She currently works as a rehabilitation technician at ChildServe in Ames. Hill has been accepted into the University of Iowa’s Doctor of Physical Therapy Program and will begin her graduate studies there in the fall.

“I am incredibly honored to be selected as a recipient of the Dean’s Recognition Award. I want to thank Iowa State for the wonderful opportunities I have been able to participate in. Thank you to the faculty, staff, mentors, and peers who have taught me, assisted me, and supported me along the way,” she said. “My experience in the College of Health and Human Sciences has been deeply formative. My education at Iowa State has laid a firm foundation for me as I enter the next step of my career in Physical Therapy School. I will be forever grateful for my time as an Iowa State Cyclone!”

Dean’s Recognition Award: Anna Weber (Summa Cum Laude)

Anna Weber is graduating summa cum laude with dual Bachelor of Science degrees in Fashion Design and Merchandising and Event Management and has been named to the Dean’s List for multiple semesters. In Fall 2024, she studied at the Lorenzo de Medici Institute in Florence, Italy. Weber recently served as a managerial producer for Iowa State’s Fashion Show, the largest student-run fashion show in the country, where she oversaw team selection and development and led more than 200 team members in planning and executing the show, as well as fundraising and industry development efforts. Previously, she served as a Design Director for the Fashion Show, a teaching assistant for an Event Management course, and an intern in the Digital Apparel and Textiles Lab. Off campus, Weber works as an assistant wedding coordinator and social media manager for Être Farms Wedding Venue, where she helps coordinate event logistics, manage client communications, supervise staff, and support the successful execution of weddings and special events, while also creating photo and video content and analyzing engagement to better target audiences. With her strong academic record, leadership experience, and commitment to professional development, Weber has a bright future in her field.

“Receiving the Dean’s Award from the College of Health and Human Sciences is incredibly meaningful to me because it represents the hard work, dedication, and passion I’ve put into my personal and academic journeys at Iowa State. This recognition validates not only my own efforts but also those of the wonderful faculty in the AESHM department who have served as valuable mentors to me over the last four years. I would not be the confident, career-ready individual I am today without the College of Health and Human Sciences and the people, organizations, and opportunities that have shaped my undergraduate experience.”

Dean’s Recognition Award: Brenna Fisher (Magna Cum Laude)

Brenna Fisher is graduating magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology and Health, along with minors in Biology, Exercise Science, and Psychology. Fisher has been named to the Dean’s List for six semesters and the President’s List last fall and is a member of the Cardinal Key Honor Society and Kappa Omicron Nu Honor Society. She has also been a recipient of the Hixson Opportunity Award and a Louise Rosenfeld Undergraduate Research Internship. For the past year, Fisher has served as an undergraduate research assistant with Walk With Ease, a program focused on reducing arthritis symptoms, where she assists with leading exercise sessions and engages with participants during walking sessions and evaluation testing. In addition to her academic and research experiences, she has served as president of the Health and Human Sciences Student Council and held multiple leadership roles with Iowa State Dance Marathon. Fisher has gained professional experience as a rehabilitation technician at McFarland Clinic in Ames, assisting physical therapists with patient care, equipment setup, and treatment support, and previously worked at XLR8 Performance Lab in Ankeny, Iowa. After graduation, Fisher will attend an accelerated nursing program to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, with plans to work as a pediatric ICU nurse and continue her education to become a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist.

“Receiving this award is incredibly meaningful to me. It reflects not only my academic efforts, but also my involvement and commitment to the College of Health and Human Sciences community,” she said. “My experiences at Iowa State, especially through leadership and service opportunities, have shaped my growth both personally and professionally. Being recognized in this way is truly an honor, and it motivates me to continue working hard as I take the next steps toward my career in nursing.”