iJAG Recognizes Outstanding Leadership, Partnership and Student Impact at Back to School Summit
iJAG celebrated exceptional leadership, employer partnership, and service to students during its Back-to-School Summit awards event on Monday, August 10, 2026. The event recognized National JAG award recipients: Principal Financial Group® and Tom Willoughby (iJAG Program Manager at Principal®), and Sarah Richardson (iJAG Board Chair and owner of Barker Apartments in Iowa City). Denis Scott from John Deere and Moesha Flake, iJAG Career Education Specialist at Maquoketa Middle School were also recognized.
United Way of the Midlands Awards $25,000 Grant to iJAG to Support Student Success in Southwest Iowa
iJAG is proud to announce it has been awarded a $25,000 grant from United Way of the Midlands to support students participating in iJAG programs across Southwest Iowa. This investment will help iJAG continue providing career readiness, leadership development, work-based learning experiences, and individualized support services that empower students to overcome barriers and successfully transition to postsecondary education, employment, or military service.
Work-Based Learning: Iowa’s Competitive Advantage
This is a three-part thought leadership series that advocates and showcases the impact of work-based learning in Iowa.
Iowa’s economic future will not be determined by chance. It will be shaped by the decisions we make today about how we prepare young people for work—and how deeply businesses choose to engage in that preparation.