2024 Alumni Award Winners

Inspired by his experience earning a doctoral degree at Iowa State, Wan-Lee Cheng continued his journey in higher education, becoming a global leader and enjoying a career that spanned over four decades.

Cheng served in various faculty and leadership roles at the University of North Dakota, San Francisco State University, and Chung Yuan Christian University (CYCU) in Taiwan.

In 2006, he was named the eighth president of CYCU, where he led the institution to a top 15 ranking among 164 colleges and universities in Taiwan and garnered a top global ranking for academic work in the areas of technology and engineering. Under his leadership, the university actively pursued research funding and received approximately $83 million over five years.

Driven by his belief that education must be supported by three cornerstones –– community, business and industry, and alumni –– Cheng was the only university president to ever visit all alumni chapters of CYCU each year. He also started five new alumni chapters during his tenure.

Cheng has fostered collaborative relationships with students and governments in Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, China, and Malaysia. At CYCU, he led the establishment of agreements and dual degree programs with several Japanese and European institutions and 10 American universities, including Iowa State. 

While being hailed as a strategic and dedicated leader who solved problems in thoughtful ways, Cheng was also an accomplished researcher who has received numerous awards throughout his career. He currently serves a member of CYCU’s Board of Trustees.

Cheng is an ISU Alumni Association annual member.

Recently heralded by the New York Times as “the righteous inheritor of Ralph Lauren’s mantle,” Todd Snyder is America’s leading menswear designer.

After graduating from Iowa State, Snyder and alum Steve King (’93 apparel design) founded Tailgate Clothing Co., bringing high-quality collegiate clothing to the market. As the company flourished, Snyder spent time at Ralph Lauren as a senior designer, followed by Old Navy as director of menswear, and then at J. Crew as senior vice president of menswear. He’s credited with designing the J. Crew’s popular Secret Wash Shirting, Broken-In Chinos, and Ludlow Suit. During this time, he also helped pioneer the modern collaboration when he partnered with Red Wing on a special version of their iconic boot.

Since launching his eponymous label in 2011, Todd has redefined how modern Americans can present themselves to the world in stylish, unexpected ways. From luxurious takes on essential items to bespoke tailoring, Todd’s creations show that good style can be attainable and even playful. The company boasts over $100 million in annual sales, routinely collaborates with iconic American labels, and operates 20 stores with several more locations opening next year.

Snyder has been named as a winner of GQ’s Best Menswear Designers in America and recognized four times by the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) as a Menswear Designer of the Year nominee and is a CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund finalist.

He is currently the Creative Director for Woolrich Black Label, Executive Vice President of American Eagle Outfitters, and Founder and Creative Director of Todd Snyder.

At Todd Snyder, you’ll find fellow Cyclones in lead roles for the company. He is committed to giving opportunities to current students through a scholarship that provides the winner of a design competition with an internship at his company.

Snyder is a Cyclone Club member, belongs to the Order of Knoll Campanile Society, and is an ISU Alumni Association life member.

Through her tenure as Iowa State University’s Director of Financial Aid and a career that spanned four decades, Roberta Johnson has facilitated college-going for hundreds of thousands of students.

Creating pathways for people to achieve an Iowa State education has given them the opportunity to make meaningful contributions to their professions, build support systems for themselves and their families, and pass on the values of higher education to their descendants.

Johnson oversaw Iowa State’s $500 million financial aid program while advising a diverse student population through challenging financial aid issues so they could attend class, study abroad, join unique programs, complete their degrees, and manage debt.

A champion for making college accessible and affordable, Johnson was part of over 20 state, regional and national committees focused on financial aid and student success outcomes. Her expertise has been recognized by Congress as she testified in front of several congressional committees.

She served as chair of both the Coalition of State University Aid Administrators and the Higher Education Loan Coalition, was a member of the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators Federal Issues Committee, served as president of the Iowa Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators, and was instrumental in developing the Financial Literacy Program for all students at Iowa’s Regents institutions.

During Johnson’s career at Iowa State, over 1.5 million students were enrolled and approximately 82% of them received some kind of financial assistance. Her impact is far-reaching and long-lasting, and she embodies what it means to be a successful higher education professional.

Johnson has served on the College of Human Sciences Dean’s Advisory Council. She belongs to the Order of the Knoll President’s Circle and Campanile Society, and is an ISU Alumni Association life member.

Stephanie Klaffke is helping children find happiness through movement and health as a physical education and wellness instructor in the Gilbert, Iowa, school district. She is a recognized leader in the field at developing new approaches to elementary physical education and wellness.

Her achievements have been recognized by the Iowa Department of Education, where she was featured as a Teacher Spotlight in 2021 and 2022. She was awarded the Iowa Elementary PE Teacher of the Year by SHAPE Iowa in 2023. Klaffke received the Silver Award for the Healthier US School Challenge and was awarded a $30,000 physical education grant to enhance meaningful and inclusive physical activity in the Gilbert School District.

With over 17 years in the Gilbert School District, Klaffke founded and leads the Physical Education and Wellness Department. The department focuses on physical movement while integrating wellness instruction. Klaffke designed and implemented the wellness instruction using National Health Standards, Leader In Me curriculum, and best practices. The additional wellness instruction promotes a passion for finding balanced living and daily renewal in third, fourth, and fifth grade students, helping them develop healthy physical movement and wellness habits at a young age.

Klaffke developed her passion for teaching at Iowa State and regularly hosts Cyclone student teachers and practicum students.

She is a celebrated teacher, coach, and mentor, spending her time volunteering with youth organizations as well as sharing her knowledge with others through service in professional organizations.

Markus Flynn is a passionate advocate for change in his community of educators.

Since his time at Iowa State University, Flynn’s clear direction and innovative efforts have allowed him to change the lives of students and staff in the classroom, on the court, and throughout the state of Minnesota in his role as executive director at the nonprofit organization, Black Men Teach (BMT).

Under Flynn’s leadership, BMT has grown its financial resources from $150,000 to over $6 million and built critical partnerships across the Midwest. Funding secured by Flynn allows BMT to offer student loan forgiveness and housing assistance for Black male educators in their school districts.

Flynn’s work highlights his commitment to closing the graduation gap between Black and white students, improving equity in education, and providing more opportunities for students of color. Flynn was recently appointed to the Governor’s Children’s Cabinet Advisory Council and is an active member of the Minnesota Chapter (Gamma Xi Lambda) of Alpha Phi Alpha.

Flynn has been honored for his outstanding work with honors and awards, including the prestigious UNCF and General Mills MLK Legacy Living Legend Award in 2021. At ISU, he served as president of the Black Student Alliance, and received the Wallace E. Barron Award and the ISU Student Organization Outstanding Student Leader Award, among others.