Cindy Yelick, chief administrator of Heartland AEA, has been selected as the 2026 Iowa Superintendent of the Year by School Administrators of Iowa, recognizing her leadership across Central Iowa education agencies and her consistent advocacy for student success. Yelick began her Heartland AEA leadership in 2023 following six years in the same role at Great Prairie AEA and prior service with Heartland AEA 11 and the Ames and Des Moines school districts. She will be recognized at SAI’s annual conference in August 2026 and will represent Iowa in the National AEA Chief Administrator of the Year Program.