Iowa Regional Collaborative

About Us

The Aspire NSF INCLUDES project is a national effort aimed at creating more inclusive and diverse undergraduate STEM teaching, mentoring, and advising. Around these goals, Iowa’s Regional Collaborative (RC) is coordinating the placement of underrepresented STEM graduate students into mentored teaching practicum experiences in Iowa Community College classrooms.

Iowa Regional Collaborative Leadership Team

Mary Darrow (co-PI, Iowa State University), Assistant Director and Evaluation Coordinator, Graduate College, Iowa State University, coordinates the Regional Collaborative activities and has overall direction of the work at Iowa State University, including, management, budgetary, and reporting requirements.

Lisa Volk (co-Leader, Iowa State University), Program Coordinator, Graduate College, Iowa State University, coordinates the Regional Collaborative activities and has overall direction of the work at Iowa State University, including, management and budgetary.

Karen Bovenmyer (co-Leader, Iowa State University), Program Coordinator, Center for Excellence in Learning and Teaching, Iowa State University, coordinates the Regional Collaborative community college teaching practicum project.

Four-year College Campus Leaders

Gabriella Olivares, Associate Dean, Graduate College, University of Northern Iowa, coordinates community college teaching project at University of Northern Iowa.

Lisa Kelly, Program Coordinator, Graduate College, University of Iowa, coordinates community college teaching project at University of Northern Iowa.

Two-year College Campus Leaders

Anna Conway, Des Moines Area Community College

Kari Hensen, Des Moines Area Community College

Deborah Koua, Des Moines Area Community College

Scott Schultz, Des Moines Area Community College

Chris King, Kirkwood Community College

Jana Fowler, Kirkwood Community College

Wendy Jamison, Kirkwood Community College

Sally Wilson, Iowa Valley Community College

Patrick Kennedy, Iowa Valley Community College

Ellen Kabat Lentsh, Eastern Iowa Community College

Anna Lawler, Eastern Iowa Community College

Angie Ghrist, Eastern Iowa Community College

Kathy Rogotzke, Northern Iowa Area Community College