Local Entrepreneur Wins Distinguished Alumni Award
| Updated:
Author: Todd Jenks, Communication Studies faculty and alumni coordinator
Helping amplify voices
In today’s media-saturated society, it is so hard to get heard through all the noise. Sometimes, you need someone to help amplify your voice. Local entrepreneur Kori Heuss, owner and leader of Heuss Printing in Ames, is doing this amplifying with amazing results. Heuss Printing is driven by one guiding principle: The vision to communicate yours.
Kori is an owner of multiple businesses and an inspiration to others who aspire to become leaders. She graduated from Iowa State in 1996 with a major in Interpersonal Communication, which is now known as Communication Studies. On October 23, 2025, the Communication Studies Program awarded Kori its second Distinguished Alumni award.
Who is Kori Heuss?
Kori Heuss is a communication strategist, entrepreneur, and advocate for Iowa’s business community. She has built a career at the intersection of marketing, manufacturing, and economic development. She believes in growing businesses in the State of Iowa, purchasing the business her father founded, Heuss Printing, and later, a Des Moines-based firm, Pioneer Communications. Under her leadership, the company has expanded to offer a range of services, including digital printing, screen printing, embroidery, branded apparel, promotional products, and social media management, serving clients across the U.S. and shipping globally.
Last year’s award winner
The inaugural recipient of the Communication Studies Program Distinguished Alumni award was the program’s alumnus Shane Jacobson. In fall 2024, Shane received this award for his work as CEO of the V Foundation for Cancer Research, leading the fight to raise funds for cancer research and to conduct research to advance cancer treatments and cures. In summer 2025, Shane started a new position as CEO of the American Cancer Society, where he continues this work.
Watch these videos to learn more
During Homecoming Week, Kori gave a lecture here at ISU for the students and faculty, and also open to the community, on her experience as an entrepreneur.
If you’d like to hear more about Kori Heuss’ work expanding the impact of her company, Heuss Printing, you can watch this video that was played at the LAS Alumni Awards Ceremony to highlight Kori’s impact and the expansion of her company: