The awards were given in recognition of Wren’s excellence as an instructor in ENGL 1500, ENGL 2500, and SP CM 2120, where she is known for designing structured, inclusive, and highly engaging courses. Her teaching emphasizes authentic inquiry and civic engagement, with projects that connect global issues to local communities through interviews, multimodal composition, and public-facing work. She has contributed to conferences by showcasing AI prompting for process-based writing, teaching locally grounded research projects, and developing pedagogy to improve reading-to-write strategies. Additionally, Wren has contributed to publications focused on project-based learning and continues to learn through professional development opportunities.
Beyond the classroom, Wren has made significant contributions to the university through leadership and mentorship. She served as President of the Graduate and Professional Student Senate in the ’24-’25 school year, where she has worked to rebuild transparency, guide the organization through major structural changes, and support graduate students during several campus-wide challenges. In her department and research community, she mentors undergraduate researchers, contributes to curricular innovation through initiatives such as the ISUComm Foundations Redesign Institute and the SourceWrite project, and helps colleagues integrate new teaching technologies and practices.
Wren’s broader leadership extends into the Ames community through her work with Ames UCC’s Social Justice and Outreach Committee and Executive Committee, as well as Ames Community Theatre, where she serves as a director, stage manager, and member of the play selection committee. Across teaching, research, and community engagement, she is recognized for her commitment to building thoughtful, collaborative environments where students and colleagues alike can grow.
Reflecting on the recognition, Wren noted that the awards feel especially meaningful because she has previously served on the GPSS awards committee and understands how thoughtful and difficult the selection process can be. For her, the awards represent both a personal honor and a reflection of the strong community of graduate students and mentors at Iowa State.