Iowa Governor's STEM Advisory Council

Iowa Governor's STEM Advisory Council

In July of 2011, Governor Terry Branstad signed Executive Order 74 creating the  Iowa Governor’s Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Advisory Council. He later signed Executive Order 81 to strengthen and expand the STEM Council which was rescinded when Governor Kim Reynolds signed Executive Order 14 in August 2025, expanding and replacing Executive Order 81. The STEM Council is Iowa's edu-nomic development initiative to invigorate the PK-12 talent pipeline toward STEM careers.

Lieutenant Governor Chris Cournoyer and Foundation Analytical Laboratory Director Diane Young lead the STEM Council and is made up of leaders in higher education, business, PK-12 educators, as well as state and local government officials.

"These professionals come from a broad spectrum of the state’s education, business and civic sectors and will work together to lead the way toward a strong future for our state in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. This group was created to advise our office on ways to improve STEM education and innovation, and economic development.”
- Governor Reynolds

Mission Statement

The Governor’s STEM Advisory Council mission is increasing interest and achievement in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) studies and careers through partnerships engaging preK-12 students, parents, educators, employers, non-profits, policy leaders and others. The Council provides opportunities that inspire Iowa’s young people to become innovative, enterprising contributors to our future workforce and the quality of life in our communities.

STEM Council Leadership

  • Chris Cournoyer, Lieutenant Governor - State of Iowa, Des Moines
  • Diane Young, Director of Technical Services - Foundation Analytical Laboratory, Cherokee
  • Justin Lewis, Executive Director and Iowa STEM Bureau Chief - Iowa Department of Education, Des Moines

STEM Council Members

  • Patrick Barnes, Senior Global Program Officer, Youth Education - John Deere, Bettendorf
  • Kelly Chaney, Dean - Sharon Walker School of Education, Morningside University, Sioux City
  • Nicole Crain, President - Iowa Association of Business and Industry, Windsor Heights
  • Debi Durham, Director - Iowa Economic Development Authority, Sioux City
  • Bill Dotzler, Senator - State of Iowa, Waterloo
  • Sara Hansen, Sr. Community Affairs Manager - Cloud Operations + Innovation - Microsoft, Des Moines
  • Dan Harbeke, Head of Public Policy and External Affairs - Google, Council Bluffs
  • David Hayes, President - Coe College, Cedar Rapids
  • Jessica Hyland, Executive Director, Iowa Biotechnology Association, Des Moines
  • Tom Kook, Vice President for Enrollment and Marketing - Emmaus University, Dubuque
  • Rebecca Lucas, Director of Global Research & Development - Kemin Human Nutrition and Health, Kemin Industries, Des Moines
  • Aaron Maue, President-  Crystal Group, Hiawatha
  • Wendy Mihm-Herold, President and CEO - Iowa Jobs for America's Graduates (iJAG), Fort Atkinson
  • Mark Muckey, Deputy Adjutant General - Iowa National Guard, Ankeny
  • Joe Murphy, President - Iowa Business Council, West Des Moines
  • Stephen Osborn, Adjutant General - Iowa National Guard, Johnston
  • Sarah Potter, Community Outreach and Workforce Planning Manager - Tri-City Electric, Davenport
  • Bryan Renfro, Chancellor - Eastern Iowa Community College, Davenport
  • Leah Rodenberg, Senior Program Manager - Alliant Energy, Marion
  • Mollie Ross, Vice President of Operations and Government Affairs - Technology Association of Iowa, Des Moines
  • Matt Sexton, Community Development Regional Manager - Meta, Altoona
  • Beth Townsend, Director, Iowa Workforce Development, Granger
  • Ryan Weldon, Representative - State of Iowa, Ankeny
  • Brent Willett, President and CEO - Iowa Health Care Association, West Des Moines
  • Barbara Wilson, President - University of Iowa, Iowa City

To apply to serve on the STEM Council, please visit https://talentbank.iowa.gov/.

Working Groups

Challenges facing STEM education in Iowa require attention and dedication. The Iowa Governor’s STEM Advisory Council identifies specific areas to increase and enhance STEM in the lives of young Iowans. Areas of focus are researched and then offered to the STEM Council as areas of further exploration in advancing STEM. Active working groups and programs incorporate all facets of STEM and evolve as Iowa STEM progresses.

  • Career Guidance Committee: Recommend strategies to enhance student career exploration and guidance, especially early exposure.
  • Creativity and Innovation Task Force: Recommend actions to honor and recognize the importance of the Arts, Humanities and other disciplines to the fulfillment potential for STEM-rich lives and careers of young Iowans.
  • STEM for ALL: Recommend strategies to promote equity, especially means by which the Council can increase the participation rate of underrepresented students in current STEM programs.
  • Rural STEM Education in Iowa: Advise on ways and means for enhancing existing efforts and supporting new initiatives toward ensuring that Iowa’s rural youth enjoy every opportunity to thrive in STEM education and the high-demand and rewarding careers that follow.
  • STEM Communications: Inform the STEM Council’s direction for communicating to various audiences, including developing new materials and targeting audiences important to spreading the Iowa STEM message.
  • Youth Ambassador Group: Provide a youth perspective to the STEM Council and expand the STEM Council’s reach to Iowa youth.