The 12 women featured in the annual Women Impacting ISU calendar were honored Tuesday during a reception hosted by the Carrie Chapman Catt Center for Women and Politics.

The Women Impacting ISU calendar features three students, four faculty members and five staff members. Copies of the calendar are available in various campus buildings including the Catt Center, Memorial Union, Beardshear Hall and the Margaret Sloss Center for Women and Gender Equity.

Susan Cloud, a communication specialist for Catt Center, opened the program and shared the origin of the calendar.

The calendar began as a student initiative at the Catt Center after a student who visited another university for a Big 12 Student Government Conference in 2005 saw calendars recognizing the women on that campus.

As a new addition to the calendar this year, the honorees’ signatures are incorporated into the design of the calendar, an idea created by Ashley Marsh, an administrative assistant for the Catt Center.

Following opening remarks, Clare Vilmont, a junior in public relations and Catt Center intern, announced the honorees and shared their achievements.

Student Honorees

Among the students that were honored during the reception were Lisa Dazzell, a graduate student in the psychology department; Natalia V. Rios Martinez, a senior majoring in political science international studies and public relations and Arianna Fischer, a senior in business analytics and accounting.

Dazzell, a first-generation college student, was honored for creating opportunities to empower Black women, serving on the ISU diversity task force and as an editor for a youth-run social justice magazine.

“Her Dazzell Research Lab provides Black women a space to gain experience and conduct ethical Black-centered research,” Vilmont said.

Martinez, a 2022 Truman Scholar, is featured in the calendar for her academic achievement and action in the community and university.

At the university, Martinez served as a student government senator, revived and expanded the political science club and worked as a research assistant. Martinez has completed multiple internships including the US Department of Justice, Iowa Department of Transportation, Puerto Rico House of Representatives and the Catt Center.

Fischer, the final student featured, was acknowledged for her involvement in the Helser Hall council since her first year and for serving as president of the hall where she worked to improve resident hall life.

“One of her nominators said it is because of students like Arianna that our community continues to improve and grow closer,” Vilmont said. “The changes she has brought throughout her career, I will state, will be felt for a lifetime.”

Faculty Honorees

Faculty were chosen for their academic achievements as well as their efforts to create a more inclusive environment and opportunities for students.

The faculty chosen for the calendar include Stephanie Clark, a professor in the food science and human nutrition department; Shannon Coleman, an associate professor in the food science and human nutrition department; Arti Singh, an assistant professor in the agronomy department and Kimberly Greder, a professor in the human development and family studies department.

Some of Clark’s achievements include reestablishing the ISU Creamery, using it as a way to educate students in dairy science and her research on sensory evaluation and dairy products.

“Clark…works tirelessly to ensure that all students and professional mentees she works with are provided with the resources, knowledge and opportunities to launch successful careers in the food industry,” Vilmont said.

Singh, another honoree, was recognized for her academic publications that have had a big impact on plant breeding, her role in

opening up opportunities for students, serving as a founding leader of the agronomy department’s diversity, equity and inclusion committee and role in creating Women in Ag and AI.

Similarly, Coleman was also honored for her involvement in building community and creating opportunities through research. Coleman has worked to address racial, ethnic and gender disparities in her field.

Greder was honored for her participation in numerous boards and communities and her participation as a reviewer for journals and grant proposals.

“Greder centers her effort on bringing positive change to the lives of families with low incomes and those who have historically been excluded with a focus on Latino immigrant families in rural areas,” Vilmon said. “Greder has also exemplified a spirit of excellence, collegiality and collaboration.”

Staff Honorees

The staff featured on the calendar include Latoja Schaben, an assistant coach in the athletic department; Tera Lawson, a program

specialist in procurement services; Gayle Brown, lead public health veterinarian and associate professor; Toyia Younger, senior vice president of student affairs and Jennifer Suchan, university registrar.

Vilmont shared that Schaben is featured after serving as a coach for the women’s basketball team for 25 years. Currently, she also serves as chair of the educational subcommittee for the athletic department’s cultural humility initiative.

“Schaben is always there to help new student athletes through the adjustments of college whether it relates to basketball or life,” Vilmont said.

Lawson, an Iowa State alum, was recognized for her leadership and the care she has for others in the community. Lawson is the co-founder and co-director of Cardinal Women*, a program that supports the development of faculty and staff on campus who identify as women*.

Brown, Vilmont shared, is honored for being an “exceptional leader, educator and mentor.” Brown has created a web-based course that is now used at all US veterinary colleges with more than 14 components being required for new veterinarians who want to be U.S. accredited.

Younger, another honoree, was acknowledged for her involvement and engagement with various student organizations and campus leaders.

“Her school spirit and contagious can-do personality reminded students of the importance of Cyclone pride and being engaged in the Cyclone community,” Vilmont said.

Suchan was honored for her impact and resourcefulness in redesigning commencement to adapt to changes caused by COVID-19, campus initiatives such as the first winter session classes and engagement with Iowa’s community colleges.

“One of her nominators stated that Jennifer Suchan has been an exceptional leader in her multiple roles at the university,” Vilmont said, “and one who has been broadly impactful, affecting the lives of thousands of students and graduates.”