AMES, Iowa -- Andrea Nelson has accepted the position of regional director for Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Region 13 serving Dallas, Polk, Madison and Warren counties effective May 1. As regional director, Nelson will provide leadership to county extension councils and oversee delivery of regional educational programs that align with needs of the region.
Nelson currently serves as executive director of the ISU Extension and Outreach office in Polk County. Prior to this, she also served as office manager, county youth coordinator, personnel manager and 4-H internal program coordinator. In these positions she gained experience in volunteer management, youth development and working with elected boards.
“We are so pleased Andrea has accepted the role as regional director. As executive director of ISU Extension and Outreach in Polk County, she brought change and transformation that aligned with the goals and mission of ISU Extension and Outreach,” said Bob Dodds, assistant vice president for county services with ISU Extension and Outreach. “We congratulate and welcome her to her new role.”
Nelson has had significant success writing grants and obtaining contracts, which secured funding for educational programs for ISU Extension and Outreach in Polk County. She has developed strong partnerships and worked with community leaders in Des Moines to create the ISU 4U Promise Community Alliance.
Nelson received a bachelor’s degree in geology and geophysics from the University of Hawai’i at Mānoa and a Master of Public Administration from Drake University.