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.

Ulrich has remained connected to the university throughout his career. From 2015 to 2021, he served on Iowa State’s Education Preparation Advisory Committee, which brings together education professionals to provide input on educator preparation programs and workforce needs. The role allowed him to remain engaged with the School of Education while contributing a practitioner perspective from the field.

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.

Since becoming president of Iowa Central Community College in 2021, Ulrich has led initiatives focused on institutional growth and workforce development. By 2023, the college’s retention rate had increased by 10%. He also led a $35 million referendum to expand career and technical education programs in fields including plumbing, veterinary technology, cybersecurity, medical laboratory technology, and cosmetology.

Under his leadership, Iowa Central became the first college in the nation to offer an Emergency Medical Services program through the Workforce Pell initiative, creating new pathways into high-demand careers.

In addition to his work in education, Ulrich remains active in the Fort Dodge community through service with local civic and nonprofit organizations.

“It is an honor to be mentioned in the same context as Virgil Largomarcino. I’ve been blessed with great team members, boards, family, and friends who have believed in me and allowed me to lead,” Ulrich said. “It will forever be a reminder to my children that regardless of where you grew up, your socioeconomic status, or barriers in place, anything is possible with faith, hard work, and positive relationships.”