Virgil S. Lagomarcino Laureate Award

Jesse Ulrich
M.Ed. ‘08 in Educational Leadership, Ph.D. ‘17 in Educational Administration
Fort Dodge, Iowa

Jesse Ulrich, Iowa State alumnus and president of Iowa Central Community College, is the 2026 recipient of the Virgil Lagomarcino Laureate Award. Named for Virgil Lagomarcino, whose work as dean at Iowa State helped shape generations of educators and educational leaders, this annual award is honors a College of Health and Human Sciences graduate whose professional accomplishments have made a significant impact on education. Recipients are recognized for service and leadership at the local, state, national, or international level.

A first-generation college student, Ulrich said Iowa State was an easy choice because its hybrid format allowed him to pursue graduate education while working full-time. He earned a Master of Education, superintendent licensure in advanced studies in 2012, and a Ph.D. in educational administration from Iowa State. After completing his master’s degree, Ulrich worked with faculty to align his coursework with his long-term goal of earning a doctorate. Along the way, he was selected in 2012 and 2013 for a Manatt Fellowship, which recognizes leadership potential among graduate students.

“Iowa State’s leadership coursework and research allowed me to develop my own leadership philosophy and style, which helped create positive change in the organizations I had the honor of leading,” Ulrich said.

After completing his graduate degrees, Ulrich began his career in rural Iowa schools. During his time in Avoca and Graettinger, he oversaw more than $20 million in capital projects designed to improve school facilities and learning environments. Over the next several years, he advanced through a series of leadership roles, becoming Iowa’s youngest principal, youngest superintendent, and, later, the youngest community college president in state history.

Helen LeBaron Hilton Award

Carol Anderson
‘68 Textiles and Clothing
Palos Verdes Peninsula, Calif.

Carol Anderson ’68 is the 2026 recipient of the Helen LeBaron Hilton Award, annually presented by the College of Health and Human Sciences. Anderson built a four-decade career as a fashion designer, entrepreneur, and philanthropist, turning her degree in textiles and clothing into a nationally recognized fashion business.

Anderson chose Iowa State because she felt it had the best program in fashion and clothing design. She also credits the program with teaching discipline, time management, and project management skills that continued to benefit her throughout her career and everyday life.

“Iowa State gave me a strong foundation in clothing construction, which was invaluable in starting and growing my own clothing brand,” she said.

After graduating, Anderson began designing and producing garments from her garage before founding Carol Anderson California in 1977. The company gained a national following and was sold through major retailers including Nordstrom and Bloomingdale’s.

Alumni Achievement Award

José A. Cabrales
PhD ’11 in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies
Alexandria, VA

José A. Cabrales ‘11 is a 2026 recipient of the Alumni Achievement Award, presented annually to College of Health and Human Sciences graduates who have earned national or international recognition for professional achievement and service.

Cabrales earned his Ph.D. in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies from Iowa State.

“I chose Iowa State because of the caliber and the quality of education I knew I would receive, particularly in higher education. At the time, some of the most renowned faculty taught in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies — Larry Ebbers, Laura Rendón, John Schuh, Flo Hamrick, Dan Robinson, Lori Patton Davis, Nancy Evans, to name a few,” he said. “Iowa State provided me with the opportunity to learn, ask questions, and further explore the field of higher education. I had the opportunity to work with amazing professors who guided me in learning the different ways I can apply my knowledge in the field.”

While a student at Iowa State, Cabrales facilitated policy research initiatives through a partnership between the Association for the Study of Higher Education and the Lumina Foundation, helping connect research to higher education policy discussions. He also helped develop the graduate course Social Justice and Social Change in American Higher Education through a funded departmental proposal.

Alumni Achievement Award

Christine Wehrman
‘70 Food and Nutrition Dietetics
Ankeny, IA

Christine Wehrman ‘70 is a 2026 recipient of the Alumni Achievement Award, presented annually by the College of Health and Human Sciences. The award celebrates distinguished contributions across fields including education, health, business and industry, and family and consumer sciences.

Wehrman earned a Bachelor of Science in Food and Nutrition Dietetics from Iowa State.

“My father attended Iowa State and continued to be involved with Iowa State throughout his lifetime,” she said. “My brother and I attended Iowa State for the curricula offered. It was a natural choice for me due to family ties, plus I had focused on food and nutrition projects in 4-H and liked science.”

Outside the classroom, Wehrman was active in the Food and Nutrition Club and worked on campus throughout all four years at the university.

“Because of the opportunity to attend and graduate from Iowa State, I was able to work within a wide berth of employment throughout my career. I enjoyed all my experiences at Iowa State — I liked the studies and learning, meeting and working with people from Iowa and beyond, and enjoyed the campus experiences,” she said.

After graduation, Wehrman became a registered dietitian and began a career that spanned nutrition, agriculture, public policy and association management.

Outstanding Early Career Professional

Samantha Mila
‘13 Culinary Food Science
Des Moines, IA

Samantha “Sammy” Mila ’13 is the 2026 recipient of the Outstanding Early Career Professional Award, which recognizes College of Health and Human Sciences alumni age 40 and younger whose achievements have distinguished them early in their careers. Originally from Des Moines, Mila was drawn to both science and food and found a natural fit in Iowa State’s culinary food science program.

“The obvious answer is that I was a George Washington Carver Scholastic Leadership Scholarship recipient in 2008, but aside from that, Iowa State is a 40-minute drive from my hometown of Des Moines. I also knew I wanted to get into a major that was science-based, so with Iowa State being the ‘University of Science and Technology’ — all the signs pointed here!”

Mila credits Iowa State with helping her define a career path that blended her interests and expanded her understanding of the food industry.

“Iowa State helped me narrow my focus to the culinary side of science and opened me up to career opportunities I never knew existed,” she said.

Mila now owns Des Moines-based bakery Crème, where she expanded the menu with Asian-inspired offerings such as milk bread loaves while maintaining longtime customer favorites. Today, Crème’s creations feature in weddings, birthdays and other celebrations across central Iowa.

Nominate an alum

If you or someone you know is an alum of the College of Health and Human Sciences who is deserving of an alumni award, submit a nomination today! Award submissions are accepted throughout the year. The deadline is March 1 of each year to be considered for awards that are given out at the annual Honors and Awards Ceremony in the fall.