Iowa Jobs for America’s Graduates (iJAG) announced that Iowa schools, educators and organizations have earned state and national recognitions. iJAG and its national affiliate, Jobs for America’s Graduates (JAG), recognized Iowa and several key stakeholders for excellence in their support of JAG students.

This year, 28 Iowa classrooms in 24 school districts were recognized for meeting key performance metrics in all categories measured by iJAG. The categories are high school graduation rate, continued education rate, employment rate, full-time employment rate, total full-time positive outcomes, connectivity rate (maintaining monthly contact with students during their transition year following high school graduation).

Other awards include:

• Iowa receives the 2024-2025 Disrupter Award

Iowa is recognized for its use of technology to enhance and implement the JAG model in its classrooms. One key reason iJAG was selected for the award was its introduction of computer-based career assessments, educational planning tools and occupational database with Adel-based Kuder, Inc.

• Two Iowa educators named Outstanding Specialists of the Year

Tiffany Harris of Clinton High School and Aleatha Wesselmann of South Hardin High School are part of a national class of educators selected for the award due to their ability to go above and beyond in their role. In total, more than 110 educators, Career Education Specialists, were recognized across all JAG state affiliates.

• Athene and the Apollo Opportunity Foundation (Apollo), JAG High Performer Award

In one year since the company announced iJAG as the recipient of a national grant from its Apollo Opportunity Foundation, the organizations have been working to accelerate student success. To date, $250,000 and 339 hours have been invested by 32 Athene and Apollo staff into leadership and professional development experiences for both youth and iJAG staff, involvement at iJAG conferences, financial literacy resources for iJAG classrooms, increased student access to work-based learning and support of social media efforts.

• Iowa State Rep. Austin Harris, JAG High Performer Award – Community Partner

As Education Appropriations Chair for the State of Iowa, Rep. Harris has helped secure funding and expand legislative support for iJAG’s work in education and workforce and economic development. His leadership has helped iJAG classrooms reach new levels of success and improve student outcomes.

• Candice Fedeler, JAG High Performer Award

Fedeler was recognized for excelling in her role and contributing to the growth and success of JAG. As learning and development trainer for iJAG, one of Fedeler’s key contributions included leading eight trainings that helped prepare more than 70 new iJAG staff members for their roles in the classroom or aiding program development.

• Candice Fedeler and Ryan Lootens, JAG National Faculty Award

As two of nine certified members who serve on JAG’s National Training Faculty, Fedeler and Lootens were honored for their service and impact on JAG’s 32 state affiliates that serve 83,000 youth across 1,800 classrooms nationwide.
“Our network consists of caring adults who are passionate about shifting the trajectory of student outcomes – providing time, talent, dollars or resources to help youth develop essential life skills, become career-ready and have a purpose. These awards bring attention to the impact that public and private stakeholders can make on young people when we work together locally and statewide,” stated Wendy Mihm-Herold, president and CEO for iJAG.

For the 2025-2026 school year, iJAG will operate 204 programs and serve more than 11,500 youth in grades 6-12 and through postgraduation services.