Three alumni of the IU School of Education have received the Distinguished Alumni Award, the highest honor for graduates of the school. The award, founded in 1977, recognizes alumni who have enhanced the reputation of the school by distinguishing themselves in their careers through significant professional and civic contributions to their community, state, and nation.
The alumni will be honored at an event this weekend.
“I am thankful for the many ways each of these alumni has contributed to education,” said Dean Robert Berry. “This cohort of distinguished alumni is the first I get to recognize as dean, and their passion, creativity, and commitment to shaping the future of education will undoubtedly inspire our current students.”
Jeffrey A. Hendrix (Ed.D. '03)
Excellence in PreK-12 Education
Jeffrey Hendrix is a dedicated servant leader whose career has centered on helping others achieve their highest potential. Prior to retiring in 2022, he served as an educator in Indiana for 37 years, working as a teacher, academic and athletic coach, building administrator, central office administrator, and superintendent. His leadership emphasized equitable educational opportunities and strong community partnerships across urban, suburban, and rural school districts.
As a 20-year superintendent, Hendrix championed innovative programs, including college credit courses, K-12 STEM initiatives, entrepreneurship programs, skilled trades training, and internships to prepare students for diverse career paths. He collaborated with educators and community stakeholders to secure funding through successful referendums, resulting in new programs, improved teacher compensation, and facility enhancements that supported modern learning environments. He also prioritized nonacademic student needs by creating leadership and mentoring programs, such as the LINK Crew at Munster High School and Eads Leads at Eads Elementary School.
Hendrix was instrumental in developing future educational leaders by mentoring teachers and administrators and supporting their participation in programs like the Woodrow Wilson Leadership Development Fellowship. He frequently presented at leadership conferences, mentored new superintendents, and established Super Chat, one of Indiana’s first educational podcasts, which became a model for similar programs in other states.
Beyond his professional achievements, Hendrix served as President of the Indiana Association of Public-School Superintendents and President and Emeritus of the Indiana University School of Education Alumni Board. His contributions have left a lasting impact on Indiana’s educational landscape.
A proud Hoosier from Kokomo, Hendrix earned his bachelor’s, master’s, specialist, and doctoral degrees from Indiana University. He and his wife, Nancy, have been married for 35 years and have three daughters and three grandchildren, all of whom share his deep connection to Indiana University.
Ryan N. Goodwin (B.S. '09)
Excellence in Higher Education
Ryan Goodwin serves as the Senior Assistant Vice President for Strategic Initiatives and Chief of Staff in the Division of Student Success and Well-Being at the University of Central Florida (UCF). In this role, he oversees UCF’s nationally recognized academic success coaching model, the Office of Academic Advocacy, the Center for Higher Education Innovation, division communications and marketing, institutional effectiveness, the LEAD Scholars Academy, and the Student Academic Resource Center. He also plays a key role in advancing UCF’s efforts to create a preeminent student success ecosystem.
Goodwin’s research and practice focus on higher education innovations that enhance postsecondary access, persistence, and completion for all students. His work is particularly centered on the impact of educational systems and organizational structures on student progression through higher education.
A native Hoosier, Goodwin earned a B.S. in Elementary Education from Indiana University. He holds a Master’s in Higher Education and Student Affairs from the University of South Carolina and a dual Ph.D. in Educational Policy and Higher, Adult, and Lifelong Education from Michigan State University, where he was an Erickson Research Fellow. At UCF, he previously served as the inaugural University Innovation Alliance Fellow, Founding Director of the Center for Higher Education Innovation, Assistant Vice Provost for Student Success Research and Strategic Initiatives, and Assistant Dean for Research.
Outside of work, Goodwin enjoys cheering on IU athletics, traveling with his partner, Gui, and values the love and support of his family and friends who have become family along the way.
Meina Zhu (Ph.D. '19)
Early Career Achievement
Meina Zhu is an Associate Professor in the Learning Design and Technology program in the College of Education at Wayne State University. She earned her Ph.D. in Instructional Systems Technology from the School of Education at Indiana University Bloomington. Her scholarship lies in the field of Learning Design and Technology, with a strong focus on leveraging technology to enhance teaching and learning and address critical challenges in education.
Her research centers on two interrelated areas: (1) identifying and understanding design and teaching practices that support self-directed learning (SDL) and self-regulated learning (SRL) in both formal and informal educational settings, and (2) utilizing emerging learning technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI) and learning analytics, to advance STEM education, particularly computer science education.
Zhu’s current work on AI and Data Science Education is supported by a federal grant. Her scholarly contributions include more than 60 peer-reviewed journal publications in leading journals such as Educational Technology Research and Development, British Journal of Educational Technology, The Internet and Higher Education, and Distance Education. In addition, she has authored one book, three book chapters, and seven proceedings articles.
In recognition of her contributions to the field, Zhu received the Early Career Award from the American Educational Research Association (AERA) Technology, Instruction, Cognition, and Learning (TICL) SIG in 2021, the Rising Star Award (Gold Level) from the United States Distance Learning Association (USDLA) in 2023, and the Online Learning Consortium (OLC) Bruce N. Chaloux Scholarship for Early Career Excellence in 2023. She is also included in the prestigious list of the World’s Top 2% Scientists published by Stanford University for 2023 and 2024.