University of Northern Iowa
08/27/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 08/27/2026 13:35
Principal and alum Robin Foster receives UNI Educational Leadership Legacy Award
Matt Townsley, associate professor, left, and Mary Sult, assistant professor of practice who also leads the Institute for Educational Leadership, right, present the 2026 Legacy Award to Robin Foster.
WELLMAN, Iowa - Robin Foster, principal of West Elementary, part of the Mid-Prairie Community School District, has received the 2026 UNI Educational Leadership Legacy Award from the University of Northern Iowa.
Considered one of the UNI College of Education's most prestigious honors, the annual award recognizes a graduate of the UNI principalship, superintendency or doctoral programs who has demonstrated exemplary educational leadership as a leader of learning, service and/or change.
"Robin was a unanimous choice. Not only has she been a successful principal at multiple buildings at Mid-Prairie, but she has also mentored aspiring leaders in our principalship program and been a strong advocate for education preparation programs at UNI," said Associate Professor Matt Townsley, who presented the award to Foster on August 17 on behalf of the educational leadership faculty.
"Robin is a respected school leader, and is not afraid to take on new challenges while serving the adults and students in her context with firm leadership and compassion. We are proud that she chose UNI for her educational leadership training," he added.
Denise Schares, a former UNI associate professor of educational leadership and one of Foster's nominators, said, "Robin was such a delight to work with. Her strong sense of service to others, calm demeanor, collaborative approach and thoughtful consideration of the challenges she faces make her the ideal recipient of this honor."
Foster holds a BA in elementary education, an MAE in educational leadership and an advanced studies certificate in superintendency from UNI. Prior to her current role in Wellman, she served as principal of East Elementary in Kalona and as an elementary teacher in the Center Point-Urbana School District.
The annual UNI Educational Leadership Legacy Award was established with support of a gift from the family of Vernon Kirlin ('46, BA), a longtime educator and school administrator, to honor his legacy of educational leadership.
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