Iowa

Dr. Karen M. Kedrowski is Director of the Carrie Chapman Catt Center for Women and Politics and Professor of Political Science at Iowa State University. She is a graduate of the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities and the University of Oklahoma, Norman. Dr. Kedrowski’s research agenda focuses primarily on women and politics and civic engagement. Prior to coming to Iowa State, she spent 24 years at Winthrop University in Rock Hill, South Carolina, where she served in many roles, including Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. Most gratifyingly, she led the University’s civic and voter engagement efforts.

As Director of the John C. Culver Public Policy Center, Seth Andersen works with students interested in pursuing careers in politics and public service. The Center’s nonpartisan programs complement Simpson College’s Engaged Citizenship Curriculum by encouraging students to actively participate in our democracy and consider public service as their life’s work. Andersen fosters student development through the Culver Fellows program, which awards four-year scholarships to incoming Simpson College students who demonstrate a commitment to public service. He works with the Culver Fellows and Simpson College faculty and professional staff to educate the campus community and the broader public through the annual Culver Lecture, which brings prominent national figures to campus to meet with students and deliver a public lecture. The Culver Center also sponsors political debates, candidate visits, policy forums, and student trips to Washington, DC, state capitols, and presidential libraries.

Prior to joining the Culver Center, Andersen served as Executive Director of the American Judicature Society, an independent national organization dedicated to improving the administration of justice. He also served on the staff of the American Bar Association as Special Assistant to the President and Project Manager for the Standing Committee on Judicial Independence. He has written and spoken extensively on judicial independence, judicial selection, and the jury system. In addition to directing the Culver Center, Andersen develops financial and community support for arts, cultural, and music-related enterprises in Central Iowa. He created and produced Critical Mass, a weekly music critics’ program that aired on community radio station KFMG 98.9 FM in 2014-2015, and contributes his event planning and management experience to major concerts and festivals such as the 80/35 music festival, Hinterland music festival, Blue Ribbon Bacon Festival, and the Des Moines Social Club’s annual Food Truck Throwdown. Andersen holds a degree in history and American Studies from the University of Kansas.