Virgil S. Lagomarcino Laureate Award
College of Human Sciences
Established in 1975 to honor graduates who are nationally and internationally recognized for their meritorious service or distinguished achievement in the field of education

Jann E. Freed

PhD Higher Education Administration ’87
Des Moines, Iowa

With more than 25 years in college teaching and administration, Jann Freed has become well versed in many areas of education, leadership, and progressive development of college programming. In addition to her role as professor of business management at Central College, Freed holds the Mark and Kay De Cook Endowed Chair in Leadership and Character Development.

Freed is considered a leader in the area of continuous improvement in higher education as the co-author of two books and a monograph, as well as numerous articles and presentations. She initiated and shepherded Central College to become accepted into the Higher Learning Commission’s Academic Quality Improvement Program (AQIP). Freed is a systems portfolio reviewer and has been selected to serve by the HLC as a member of the 2008-2009 AQIP Review Panel for Reaffirmation of Accreditation. Freed is also working on a book that is a photo collection with commentary and qualitative analysis about Mexican women leaders based on her international teaching experience in Yucatan, Mexico.

It is her devotion to Central College and her willingness to serve in a variety of roles that has made a significant impact on the institution. One of her nominators writes, “[Jann] has worked diligently toward maintaining high standards in the hiring, training, continuing education, and ongoing evaluation of those charged with the education of the students at the institution. Through all her work, she has always been guided by a desire to enhance Central College as an institution of higher learning.”

Freed is an ISU Alumni Association annual member.