Four University of Iowa faculty, staff, and students were recognized at the seventh annual 1stGen@Iowa Awards and Recognition Ceremony on Thursday, March 5, in the Iowa Memorial Union.
The 1stGen@Iowa Faculty and Staff Collaborative established the awards to recognize first-generation student achievements as well as the outstanding advocacy and support efforts of faculty and staff.
Student recipients are Luz Maria Aguilar-Mateo and Akalanka Ekanayake. This year’s faculty and staff recipients are Spencer Stumpf and Jesse Kiracofe.
First-Generation Student Achievement Award
Luz Maria Aguilar-Mateo
Luz Maria Aguilar-Mateo is a senior from Hampton, Iowa, earning a Bachelor of Business Administration with a double major in business analytics and information systems and human resource management, along with a minor in Latina/o/x studies. As a first‑generation student, she places tremendous value on her education and has tried to explore everything the University of Iowa has to offer.
Although she initially felt out of place when she arrived on campus, Maria found community through the Latino Native American Cultural Center and the BizEdge Mentoring Program. Through these experiences, she developed as a student leader and future professional while building meaningful connections that shaped her college journey.
Akalanka Ekanayake
Akalanka Ekanayake is a doctoral researcher in the Department of Chemistry and a first‑generation student from Sri Lanka. His journey has been shaped by perseverance, mentorship, and a strong belief in education as a pathway to create opportunities not only for himself, but for others.
His research focuses on understanding the mechanical properties of advanced materials and biological systems using atomic force microscopy, contributing to the development of functional materials and improved insight into complex biological processes. Beyond the laboratory, Akalanka has served as cabinet director of the International Student Advisory Board, president of the Sri Lankan Student Association, and a mentor to prospective and current students. He has received multiple institutional awards recognizing his leadership, service, and dedication to supporting first-generation and international students.
Award for Outstanding First-Generation Student Advocacy
Spencer Stumpf
Spencer Stumpf is an adjunct instructor with the University of Iowa’s First Gen Hawks Program, where he has taught since its launch in fall 2020. He leads a First Gen Hawks seminar for new first‑generation students and designed the spring experiential learning course Career Design Essentials.
A first-generation Hawkeye and graduate of the Tippie College of Business, Spencer brings personal experience and professional expertise to his work with students. In addition to teaching, he serves as organizational development program manager at the University of Iowa Center for Advancement, focusing on coaching, leadership development, and career development. His work centers on helping students build confidence, develop practical skills, and envision themselves succeeding at Iowa and beyond.
Jesse Kiracofe
Jesse Kiracofe serves as a coordinator and academic coach for the First Gen Hawks Program, where he supports students in their transition to the university and leads the On‑Campus Employment Program. His work focuses on helping first-generation students build confidence, navigate campus resources, and develop a strong sense of belonging.
Jesse joined the University of Iowa nearly eight years ago, first serving as an advisor in the TRIO Upward Bound Program, where he supported local first-generation high school students as they explored college pathways. A graduate of Mt. Mercy University in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, he draws on his own experience as a first-generation college student to inform his commitment to mentorship and access. Throughout his career, he has supported hundreds of first-generation students as they pursue their academic and professional goals.
