Kunjal Harwani, a service administrator for the college’s four academic departments, and Kat Krtnick Wilson, the communications and strategic initiatives manager for the Scanlan Center for School Mental Health (SCSMH), were recognized Thursday for their outstanding contributions with two of the University of Iowa College of Education’s top staff honors.
Harwani received the Bettina (Tina) Hass Excellence in Commitment and Dedication Award, which honors a staff member whose service reflects exceptional reliability, hard work, and unwavering dedication to the university’s mission. The award is named after Hass, who retired in 2023 after 44 years of dedicated service as the college’s executive assistant to the dean and Lindquist Center building coordinator.
“I'm so proud to see Kunjal recognized as the recipient of this award in recognition. During the time that I worked with her, she never missed a beat regardless of the circumstances,” Hass says, who attended the event.
Wilson was named the recipient of the Staff Council Early Impact Award. This is a new award that recognizes a current staff member who has demonstrated exceptional dedication and displays a tangible impact on their department and/or the College of Education within the first four years of their employment in the College of Education.
Harwani was praised for her expertise in guiding departmental executive officers (DEOs) through budget development and strategic financial planning over the past 12 years.
“Kunjal has been an invaluable asset, consistently demonstrating exceptional skill, dedication, and professionalism,” Department Executive Officer of Teaching and Learning Lia Plakans says in her nomination letter. “She makes a difference in the college on so many levels that make her excellent and also that elevates the excellence of our college.”
Harwani was also recognized for mentoring colleagues and fostering strong communication.
“Many staff have benefited from Kunjal’s commitment to lift up and encourage her colleagues,” Plakans says. “Her creative thinking and diligence have created significant savings for the college, and her unwavering commitment to excellence make her a deserving candidate for this prestigious award.”
Wilson was honored for her transformative work in elevating the center’s visibility and outreach across the state.
“In just a few years, Kat has demonstrated exceptional dedication, vision, and expertise,” SCSMH Director of Professional Development Kari L. Vogelgesang says of Krtnick Wilson. “Thanks to her strategic vision, the center has reached over 20,000 educators in the past three years.”
Wilson’s impact includes founding the Iowa School Mental Health Awards, spearheading a statewide public health campaign, and doubling conference sponsorships for the EmpowerED Minds: School Wellness Summit. Executive Director of SCSMH Allison Bruhn, the center’s executive director, says hiring Wilson is “the single best, and most impactful, hire we made.”
“Her leadership, strategic vision, and creativity have propelled the visibility and reach of the center in ways we could not have imagined,” Bruhn says. “She is just that talented and driven.”
Both awards were presented as part of the college’s annual staff appreciation celebration.
Additionally, 14 staff members were honored for their longevity in the College of Education.
25 Years:
Bobbie Bevins – Teaching and Learning
Elizabeth Holm – Office of the Dean
20 Years:
Liz Constantine – Office of the Dean, Grants and Research Services Center
10 Years:
Jennifer Cremers – UI REACH
Ashlee Donithan – Belin-Blank Center
Anthony Fina – Iowa Testing Programs
Erica Kaldenberg – UI REACH
Tania Moore – Iowa Testing Programs
Kevin Ryberg – Iowa Testing Programs
Ann Shoplik – Belin-Blank Center
Five Years:
Bellinda Assemien – Office of Student Services
Kim Hanrahan – UI REACH
Erin Hora – UI REACH
Jay Kim – Iowa Testing Programs
