By Andi Anderson
Cathy Hockaday, a longtime health and human sciences leader with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, has received national recognition for her decades of public service and leadership in education and prevention programs.
She was awarded the Ellen Swallow Richards Public Service Award on March 25 during a national meeting in Denver, Colorado.
The award is presented annually by the Association of Public and Land‑grant Universities Board on Health and Human Sciences. It honors university scholars who have shown outstanding commitment to advancing human sciences within higher education and extending this work to communities across the nation and world.
The Ellen Swallow Richards Public Service Award recognizes individuals with a strong record of promoting health and human sciences at the national and international level.
Hockaday was selected as one of four public university scholars to receive awards this year, highlighting her impact and leadership.
Hockaday serves as a health and human sciences program manager with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. She has spent more than 30 years focusing on youth development and prevention, particularly for children and families facing higher levels of risk.
Much of her work centers on strengthening family relationships and reducing negative outcomes before they occur.
A key part of her career has been her leadership in the widely respected prevention initiative known as the “Strengthening Families Program: For Parents and Youth 10‑14.”
This program is used in many communities to improve communication, increase family bonding, and support healthy decision‑making among young people. Hockaday has served as both a program manager and an international trainer for this initiative.
In addition to program leadership, Hockaday has played a major role in securing research funding. She served as co‑principal investigator on several major federal grants totaling more than $3.7 million.
These grants were supported by nationally recognized agencies, including the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, the U.S. Department of Education, and the National Institutes of Food and Agriculture.
The award is named after Ellen Swallow Richards, a pioneering scientist who helped establish modern public health practices. Richards believed strongly in applying research to improve daily life for individuals, families, and communities.
Hockaday’s career reflects that same commitment by turning education and science into lasting public benefit.
Additional details about the award and other honorees are available through the Association of Public and Land‑grant Universities.
Photo Credit: iowa-state-university
Categories: Iowa, General