Notable Alumni

Congratulations to our 2025 Alumni Award Recipients!

This year's class of award recipients have gone above and beyond – in their professions, in their communities, and in support of others. They epitomize all that is great about this institution, and we are proud to count them among our esteemed alumni. This year’s honorees will be recognized at a private dinner and ceremony on October 21, 2025.


Outstanding Alumni Award                     

The Outstanding Alumni Award is the highest honor given to Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC) alumni by the Alumni Association.  This award honors and recognizes DMACC graduates who:

  1. provide service to their community, country, and/or fellow citizen,
  2. have had great professional or personal achievement since graduation, OR
  3. continue to be involved in the life and work of DMACC. 
  • Tedric Jansen
    Project Manager, Snyder and Associates
    Polk City, IA
    AAS Commercial Horticulture 2003

  • Emily Toribio
    VP of Marketing and Communications, Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines
    Des Moines, IA
    AA Liberal Arts 2004

  • Jordan Van Scoy
    EMS Lieutenant
    West Des Moines, IA
    Paramedic Certificate 2018

  • Denise Vernon
    Managing Director, Ditto Family Farms LLC; Philanthropist; and Volunteer
    Urbandale, IA
    AAS Business Management 1991, AS Business Management 1996

Alumni Early Achievement Award           

The DMACC Alumni Association created the Alumni Early Achievement Award in 2011 to recognize alumni who have graduated from DMACC within the last ten years and have displayed exemplary personal or professional achievement or volunteer service to their community. Nominees shall not be currently enrolled in an institution of higher learning.  

  • Nicolas Darland
    Owner, HomeRevisions
    Des Moines, IA
    AA Business Transfer 2020

  • Dan Kline
    Chief Operating Officer, Shade Tree Auto
    Ankeny, IA
    AAS Automotive Mechanics Technology 2016, AA Pre-Business 2021

  • Cynthia Neil
    Director of Development, New Hope Village Foundation
    Manning, IA
    AGS 2020

Impact Award   

The DMACC Alumni Association created the DMACC Impact Award in 2011 to recognize DMACC alumni attendees of at least 12 credit hours who make an impact within their community, profession and/or DMACC.   

  • Ruby Herrera
    Teacher, Des Moines Public Schools
    West Des Moines, IA
    Attended Fall 1998 – Spring 2000

 



Nominate

The DMACC Alumni Association is currently seeking nominations for the Outstanding Alumni Award, DMACC Alumni Early Achievement Award and the DMACC Impact Award. For more information and to learn of the criteria for each award, click on the award name above. The deadline to submit nominations for all three awards is April 13, 2026.


View Past Alumni Award Recipients