Jennifer Holliday, a recent graduate from Iowa State University, was selected as one of seven recipients of the prestigious Wallace E. Barron All-University Senior Award. Recognized for her outstanding leadership, academic achievements, and commitment to the campus community, Holliday embodies the core values celebrated by this award.
Holliday, a native of Greenfield, Iowa, completed her bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Studies, Journalism & Mass Communications, and International Agriculture in May 2025. Raised on her family’s cow-calf operation and row-crop farm, Holliday credits early involvement in 4-H and FFA for shaping her passion for agriculture and her decision to pursue it as a career.
“Before joining FFA, I never imagined staying in agriculture beyond my childhood,” Holliday explained. “Through FFA, I discovered how critical it is for people with farm backgrounds to continue advocating for our industry and educating others about how agriculture sustains everyday life.”
Her multifaceted academic path allowed her to combine practical farm experience with storytelling skills aimed at elevating agricultural issues.
The nomination for the Wallace E. Barron Award came from a close colleague who served as student body president the year prior. During her own tenure as student body president representing Iowa State’s 30,000 students, Holliday engaged with state and federal policymakers, including a meeting with U.S. Senator Joni Ernst, and collaborated closely with the Iowa Board of Regents and university administrators.
“Serving in this role gave me the privilege of advocating for student interests both on campus and in Washington, D.C.,” Holliday said. “Through those experiences, I learned the importance of student voices in shaping higher-education policy and community initiatives.”
The All-University Senior Award recognizes graduating undergraduates who have demonstrated outstanding achievements, significant impact on Iowa State, and promise to continue contributing to the university community post-graduation.
Holliday will relocate to Europe this fall to pursue dual master’s degrees—one in Sustainable Food Systems and another in Food Processing, Innovation & Tradition. She will spend her first year in Italy and her second year in France before completing her graduate studies in May 2027.
“I am thrilled to study further how global food systems can balance tradition and innovation,” Holliday remarked. “Living abroad will broaden my perspective and better equip me to address sustainability challenges in agriculture.”
