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 and Executive Order 81 to strengthen and expand the STEM Council. The STEM Council is Iowa's edu-nomic development initiative to invigorate the PreK-12 talent pipeline toward STEM careers.

Governor Kim Reynolds 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.

Meeting & Event Dates & Agendas

April 10, 2024 - Iowa Classrooms+Workplaces Summit

Nov. 13, 2023

2023-11-13 STEM Advisory Council Meeting Agenda

April 20, 2023

2023-04-20 STEM Advisory Council Meeting Agenda

Members

  • Co-chair – Governor Kim Reynolds, State of Iowa, Des Moines, IA
  • Co-chair – Diane Young, Director of Technical Services, Foundation Analytical Laboratory, Cherokee, IA

STEM Council Executive Committee

  • McKenzie Snow, Director, Iowa Department of Education, Des Moines, IA
  • Kacia Cain, Science Educator, Winterset, IA
  • Robert Denson, President, Des Moines Area Community College, Ankeny, IA
  • Deborah Durham, Director, Iowa Economic Development Authority and Iowa Finance Authority, Des Moines, IA
  • Kathryn Kunert, Vice President for Business and Community Development, MidAmerican Energy, Des Moines, IA
  • Mark Nook, President, University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls, IA
  • Beth Townsend, Director, Iowa Workforce Development, Des Moines, IA
  • Barbara Wilson, President, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA
  • Wendy Wintersteen, President, Iowa State University, Ames, IA

STEM Council Members

  • Emily Abbas, Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, Bankers Trust, Des Moines, IA
  • Patrick Barnes, Senior Global Program Officer, Education and Equity, John Deere, Moline, IL
  • Wendy Batchelder, Senior Vice President of Global Data Governance, Salesforce, Cumming, IA
  • Donna Bishop, Superintendent of Diocese of Des Moines Catholic Schools, Des Moines, IA
  • Kristopher Byam, Registered Apprenticeship Program Coordinator, Iowa Workforce Development, Des Moines, IA
  • Calvin Carter, Assistant Professor, Department of Neuroscience-Pharmacology and Biomedical Engineering, University of Iowa and President/CEO, Geminii, Inc., Iowa City, IA
  • Chris Cournoyer, Senator, State of Iowa, LeClaire, IA
  • Robert J. Cramer, President and Chief Administrative Officer, Cramer and Associates, Inc., Grimes, IA
  • Denise Crawford, Associate Professor and Director of the Center for Technology Learning and Teaching, Iowa State University School of Education, Gilbert, IA
  •  Thomas Dodds, Site Manager, BASF, Malcom, IA
  • Gabe Glynn, CEO and Co-Founder, MakuSafe, Ankeny, IA
  • Dan Greteman, Vice President and Chief Information Officer, Ruan Transportation Management Systems, West Des Moines, IA
  • Dan Harbeke, Head of Public Policy and External Affairs, Google, Council Bluffs, IA
  • Michelle Hill, Director of Waukee Aspiring Professional Experience (APEX), Waukee, IA
  • Jessica Hyland, Executive Director, Iowa Biotechnology Association, Des Moines, IA
  • Kathleen Kay, Senior Vice President and Chief Information Office, Principal Financial Group, Des Moines, IA
  • Don Kearney, Associate Director and Systems Architect, Collins Aerospace, Marion, IA
  • Stephanie Laird, Learning Supports Coordinator, Southeast Polk Community School District, Altoona, IA
  • Sara Lang, Senior Director of Engineering, Collins Aerospace, Cedar Rapids, IA
  • Rebecca Lucas, Director of Research & Development for Human Nutrition and Health, Kemin Industries, Des Moines, IA
  • Louis Moreno, Student, Drake University, Des Moines, IA
  • Mark Muckey, Deputy Adjutant General, Iowa Air National Guard, Johnston, IA
  • Kim Perez, President and CEO, Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden, Des Moines, IA
  • Laurie Phelan, President and CEO, Iowa Jobs for America's Graduates, Des Moines, IA
  • Leah Rodenberg, Senior Community Affairs Program Manager, Alliant Energy, Cedar Rapids, IA
  • Sharon Rosenboom, Director of The Academic Enrichment Center, Dordt College, Orange City, IA
  • Somchai Rice, Co-Founder and Chief Science Officer of MedBlox, Coralville, IA
  • Barb Schwamman, Superintendent, Osage and Riceville Schools, Osage, IA
  • Curt Simmons, President and CEO, Science Center of Iowa, Des Moines, IA
  • Tamara Trinder, Nurse Practitioner, Mercy Clinics, Des Moines, IA
  • Teri Vos, Director, Work-Based Learning Program, Pella, IA
  • Brian Waller, President, Technology Association of Iowa, Des Moines, IA
  • Marjorie McGuire-Welch, President, Southwestern Community College, Creston, IA
  • Jonathan Wickert, Senior Vice President and Provost, Iowa State University, Ames, IA
  • Emily Wilkerson, Student, Iowa State University, Ames, IA
  • Ryan Wise, Dean, Drake University School of Education

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.
  • Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in STEM: 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 Advisory Board: Inform the STEM Council’s direction and expand the STEM Council’s reach to Iowa youth.