Rob Poggenklass ’03 was awarded the 2025 Leadership and Service Award during Homecoming and Reunion Weekend by Cornell College’s Alumni Association Board of Directors.
He was honored for his outstanding contributions to the field of criminal justice and his enduring commitment to Cornell College. His career, centered on supporting individuals directly impacted by the criminal legal system, exemplifies the values of service, advocacy, and leadership celebrated by this award.
The Leadership and Service Award is presented annually by the Alumni Association and the college during Homecoming Convocation. Recipients have demonstrated outstanding leadership in their careers or professions, their work has contributed to the betterment of their community and its citizens, or their commitment to the college has remained strong for many years.
Poggenklass came to Cornell from Guttenberg, Iowa, and quickly made a meaningful impact on campus. During his time as a student, he served as a columnist and business manager for The Cornellian, worked as a Resident Assistant in Olin Hall, sang in both the Concert Choir and Chamber Singers, and was elected to Phi Beta Kappa. He graduated in 2003 with a degree in philosophy and has reflected on his time at Cornell with gratitude.
“I loved how One Course At A Time allowed me to focus all my attention on one subject,” Poggenklass said. “The diversity of the student body opened my mind to a whole range of new ideas. I was very naive. I could see that many of my classmates were far wiser than I was.”
After graduation—and a brief stint working at newspapers in Mount Vernon and West Branch—Poggenklass earned his J.D. from William & Mary Law School and immediately joined the legal field. He served for four years as a public defender in Virginia, representing clients in cases ranging from misdemeanors to murder. He then joined the ACLU of Virginia, where he spent two years lobbying and writing on civil liberties issues.
His work continued with legal aid organizations in both Iowa and Virginia, where he helped hundreds of low-income clients navigate challenges in housing, family law, personal finance, and court debt. Alongside his legal practice, Poggenklass has taught law courses at Des Moines Area Community College, William & Mary, and the University of Virginia.
Today, he serves as Executive Director of Justice Forward Virginia, a criminal justice reform organization founded by public defenders. His advocacy has taken many forms—from direct representation to public education, policy reform, and publishing. His work is a testament to the power of a liberal arts education and the values Cornell seeks to instill: critical thinking, ethical leadership, and a commitment to civic and social responsibility. Poggenklass has lived those values fully, and his efforts continue to inspire change.
Watch Poggenklass’s speech on Oct. 11, 2025:
