Vice President Cathann Kress

“As we move forward, we know our educational programs must be appropriate within the scope of our educational mission, and provide knowledge, instruction, or information. We know they also must be based strongly in research evidence, and/or be connected to ongoing research at Iowa State. Finally, we know that our educational programs must align the needs of Iowans with federal, land-grant system, and college and university priorities.” -- Cathann Kress

Profile

The Vice President for Extension and Outreach provides leadership for the statewide unit of the university responsible for delivering on the land-grant mission of teaching, research, and service for the public good. The Vice President works across the university to provide outreach programs that share cutting edge information and technology to educate and innovate; and provides advice and counsel to the Provost and the President on extension and outreach issues.

Recent Activities

• Extension and Outreach work addresses four signature issues: Economic Development, Food and the Environment, Health and Well-being, and K-12 Youth Outreach.
• As Iowans continue to deal with drought, ISU Extension and Outreach is providing education on related issues via Web pages, webinars hosted in county offices around the state, and face-to-face meetings. Our response to the 2012 drought is an example of our ability to address systemic change in Iowa, dealing with immediate concerns and anticipating issues yet to come.
• The ISU Extension and Outreach 2012 Program Catalog organizes our core programs along our four signature issues: Economic Development, Food and the Environment, Health and Well-being, and K-12 Youth Outreach. Elected county extension councils will use this guide to select educational programs that address local needs. Programming is not limited by what is listed in the catalog. Extension and Outreach anticipates that we will continue to respond to concerns such as the drought this year, and will offer programming in other emerging issues as we always have.
• Iowa State University will serve as the North Central STEM Hub for the new Governor’s STEM Advisory Council, promoting science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education and economic development across Iowa. Extension and Outreach throughout the state will be available to support the strategic goals of this hub and provide an important capacity advantage.
• New citizens advisory groups at the program level will provide more targeted citizen input. Citizens can be involved in an area that aligns with their interests and expertise, and provide direct input to Extension and Outreach work.
• Extension and Outreach is revising the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with all County Agricultural Extension Districts (county extension councils) and the 4-H Foundation to clarify roles and responsibilities and articulate the partnerships for the future.  
• Completed in spring 2012, the Strategic Plan for ISU Extension and Outreach, 2012-2015 outlines the strategic priorities of Extension and Outreach, which are closely linked to the university’s strategic priorities for Iowans, faculty and staff, and students.
   

Education

Ph.D. in Education – University of Iowa; Outstanding Graduate Student Award, 1990

M.A. in Education, Counselor Education/College Student Development – University of Iowa, 1986

B.S. in Social Work – Iowa State University; Psychology and Sociology emphases, 1983

Professional Experience

• Military Community and Family Policy, U.S. Department of Defense, Senior Policy Analyst, 2008-2011
• U.S. Department of Agriculture's Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service (CSREES), National Director Youth Development Programs, 2002-2008
• Cornell University, Cornell Cooperative Extension Assistant Director and State Program Leader, 4-H Youth Development, 2000-2002
• Iowa State University Extension, Youth Development Specialist and Youth and Family Violence Specialist, 1994-2000

Professional Interests

• Youth Development
• Gifted Education
• Non-formal Educational Systems