UNI Graduate Receives Milken Award

Greg O'Connell was selected by a blue ribbon committee appointed by the Iowa Department of Education. Mr. O’Connell is a 1994 UNI graduate with degrees in Elementary Education and Early Childhood. He is currently enrolled in UNI’s Principalship MA Degree program. He is an administrator at Grant Wood Elementary School in Cedar Rapids.

The selection process for the Milken award is confidential and does not include a nomination or application, but does include months of research on the award recipient. The committee sited O'Connell's dedication to continuous improvement for students by finding best practices and differentiated learning that achieve success in the classroom. The committee also commended his personal professional development and leadership skills in the district.

O'Connell will receive his monetary award at the Milken Family Foundation National Education Conference next spring in Washington DC. He plans to use the $25,000 to help pay for his master's degree studies at the University of Northern Iowa.

Des Moines Register article.