AMES, Iowa — The Graduate Program in Seed Technology and Business (STB) at Iowa State University has earned international recognition, receiving a Gold Award in the Special Events category from the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) Circle of Excellence Awards for its biannual webinar series.
The 2025 CASE Circle of Excellence Awards attracted 4,460 entries from 640 institutions in 33 countries. Categories included everything from alumni engagement and fundraising to digital marketing and leadership. The STB program stood out for its innovative and inclusive approach to global professional development.
“The Circle of Excellence Awards shine a spotlight on the extraordinary creativity, passion, and innovation demonstrated by advancement professionals at institutions around the world,” said Sue Cunningham, CASE President and CEO. “These awards not only celebrate outstanding achievements but also underscore how essential this work is to strengthen educational communities and positively shape lives and society.”
Launched in 2020 as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the STB webinar series has grown into a vital learning platform that connects hundreds of seed industry professionals across the globe. Each spring and fall, four free, live sessions spotlight current topics such as seed regulations, business, government relations, global biotechnology trends, seed testing innovations, and the rise of artificial intelligence in agriculture.
“This award reflects the program’s commitment to global engagement and educational access,” said Dr. Gary Munkvold, Director of Graduate Education for the STB program. “It is gratifying to see the STB webinars making an impact worldwide while also reinforcing Iowa State’s leadership in seed science education.”
The webinars are designed and curated in close collaboration with seed industry experts and academic leaders to ensure relevant and timely content. Since inception, the series has drawn participants from 37 countries, building an international community around seed technology, innovation, and business acumen.
“We’re honored by the recognition, but the real reward is seeing attendees return each series, engaging with speakers and applying what they’ve learned,” said Lori Youngberg, STB Program Coordinator and webinar series organizer. “Our team works hard to create a high-quality experience that is interactive, accessible, and impactful.”
Judges praised the STB webinar series for its strategic use of resources, wide-reaching accessibility, and effectiveness in lifting the university’s brand while supporting recruitment and professional development.
“Interesting global impact. It made great use of available resources with no additional cost, was optimized for global reach, and was accessible and local. A very attractive initiative to lift the brand, share access, and recruit. Feedback was collected well and showed clear validation of the impact of the targeted community. What a great way to establish yourself for enrollment!” — CASE Judges
With five years of success and growing international participation, the STB webinar series exemplifies how online education can create lasting global impact.
For more information about the STB graduate program and upcoming webinars, workshops, and short courses, visit https://www.seedgrad.iastate.edu/