Amanda Elkins, attorney and director of Student Legal Services in the University of Iowa Division of Student Life, has been named the 2026 recipient of the Lola Lopes Award for Undergraduate Student Advocacy.

The award recognizes administrators, staff, or faculty who serve as strong and effective advocates for undergraduate students and the undergraduate experience. Recipients are selected by a committee of staff, faculty, and a student.  

Elkins has built a strong reputation with students and colleagues for her compassion, care, and commitment to ensuring that students receive free, high-quality legal support. She provides legal counsel to students facing issues that can significantly affect their academic and personal lives — from landlord-tenant disputes to small claims court, criminal charges to threats to their personal well-being. 

During the 2024–25 academic year, Elkins advised close to 900 students, many navigating the legal system for the first time. After working with Elkins, 94% said they felt more at ease, pointing to her ability to translate the legal process into clear, understandable language and provide guidance allowing them to make informed decisions and advocate for themselves.

In one notable case, Elkins represented a student who thought her landlord unjustly kept a $750 security deposit. Elkins fought for the student for more than a year of negotiations, mediation, trial and appeal. The judge ruled in the student’s favor, awarding the deposit plus thousands of dollars in punitive damages, and setting a legal precedent that will benefit other students going forward.

Elkins also is a trusted resource for students seeking support. When a first-year student came to Elkins after being harassed and threatened by an online scammer, Elkins took the time to listen to the student, research to confirm that the student’s family was not in danger, and then reported the incident. Most importantly, Elkins reassured the student that she was not alone and shouldn’t let the incident derail her college experience. 

Elkins champions students’ rights to livable housing, fair treatment by the legal system, and safety when they’re away from home. At the same time, she encourages them to be civically minded, advocate for others, and become valued members of the community. 

Elkins will receive a $1,000 honorarium and a certificate.

The award is named in honor of Lola L. Lopes, former associate provost for undergraduate education at Iowa and professor emerita of management and organizations in the Tippie College of Business. Lopes served as interim executive vice president and provost during 2007—08.