Through our shared vision and passion, we work to advance the University of Iowa's mission of enriching the student experience while impacting Iowa communities and beyond through community-engaged teaching, learning, and research.
Nick Benson
319-384-3464
Nick serves as the Executive Director of the Office of Community Engagement and provides leadership on campus for community-engaged teaching, learning, and research. He has worked for eight years in various community engagement roles at the University of Iowa, including as Director of the Iowa Initiative for Sustainable Communities and Director of Community Development and Outreach. Nick holds a Master's Degree in Urban and Regional Planning and Juris Doctorate from Iowa. Before his time at Iowa, Nick worked for the City of Iowa City in community and economic development and at Leff Law Firm.
Leslie Finer
319-335-1618
In her Director of Arts & Humanities role, Leslie works to enhance community vitality by utilizing the University of Iowa's arts and cultural resources. She also oversees the Arts Share program, facilitating arts outreach and engagement initiatives for over 25 years. Leslie received her Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Piano Performance from Southern Methodist University in Dallas and a Ph.D. in Musicology from the University of Iowa. Before working at the University of Iowa, she taught music history and piano at Coe College.
Maura Pilcher
319-384-3579
Maura Pilcher currently serves as the Director of the Grant Wood Art Colony. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Anthropology and Art History from the University of Notre Dame and a Master of Science in Historic Preservation from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Maura has over 15 years of experience in the museum field, including The Phillips Collection (Washington, DC), The Field Museum (Chicago, IL), and The Snite Museum (Notre Dame, IN). She has participated in arts engagement and preservation-related panels and provided workshops for national audiences.
Travis Kraus
319.335.2798
Travis is an Associate Professor of Practice in the School of Planning and Public Affairs and the Faculty Fellow for Engaged Teaching and Scholarship in the Office of Community Engagement. He also serves as Director of the Iowa Initiative for Sustainable Communities, a community-engaged learning program based in the School of Planning and Public Affairs, which builds statewide collaborations that seek to create equitable, prosperous, and sustainable futures. Travis received his Master’s degree in Urban & Regional Planning from the University of Iowa and currently serves on the board of directors for EPIC-N, an international network of community engagement programs.
Jan Warren
Jan serves as Community Engagement Manager advancing strategic initiatives that bolster community engagement at Iowa, including the Community Engaged Course (CEC) designation, the Graduate Engagement Corps (GEC) program, and the Engaged Faculty Institute (EFI), among others. She has had a long career in education, the arts, and student services. Jan earned her Bachelor’s degree in Music Education (minor in Art History) from Michigan State University and her Master’s Degree in Counselor Education with a specialization in College Student Development. Before joining OCE, Jan worked in gifted education and university admissions and was a music teacher in both public and private music schools in Iowa.
James Dykeman
319-576-8871
James oversees strategic communication, including marketing office events and activities, managing social media and the website, and creating and editing content for multiple media channels. He also co-teaches a strategic communications writing class at the University of Iowa while assisting other nonprofit organizations that serve the public good by enhancing messaging, elevating brand awareness, and connecting with community partners to empower missions that uplift communities. James holds a Bachelor's Degree in Journalism and Mass Communication, with a certificate in Nonprofit Leadership and Philanthropy, from the University of Iowa.
