The Carrie Chapman Catt Center for Women and Politics is pleased to recognize the accomplishments and activities of its faculty, staff, students, alumni and supporters:
Lauren Fisher, a senior in political science and an intern on the Catt Center’s Archives of Women’s Political Communication, presented “Political Pathways: Mapping Ideological Landscapes of Female Heads of State” at the 2025 Women’s and Gender Studies Student Research Conference on April 12 at Iowa State University.
Mariana Gonzalez, a 2023 alumna in political science and public relations, recently began a new position as a content creator at the Democratic Governors Association in Washington, D.C., developing content for primarily TikTok and Instagram Reel audiences on breaking news and current trends and to encourage the election of Democratic candidates in gubernatorial elections. Gonzalez was an intern at the Catt Center, a participant in its multi-year undergraduate research project, and a 2022 Women Impacting ISU calendar honoree.
Delaney Graef, a junior in forestry and a CyclonesVote intern with the Catt Center, has been selected for the 2025 ALL IN Student Voting Honor Roll, which recognizes college students who have gone above and beyond to advance nonpartisan student voter registration, education and turnout efforts in their communities.
Carrie Ann Johnson, associate director for outreach and communication, presented the opening keynote address, “Heart-Led Leadership: Women Creating Change Through Service, Leadership, and Community,” at the 69th District Seven Altrusa Conference on May 2 at the West Des Moines Marriott.
Karen M. Kedrowski, center director, participated in a panel discussion, “Women in Public Service: Mentorship and Career Development,” hosted by the City of West Des Moines on March 11. On March 13, she was interviewed by July Pedroza and April Rohlfing of the Iowa Secretary of State’s Office for a video about Carrie Chapman Catt and the secretary’s Carrie Chapman Catt Award, a voter registration initiative for Iowa high schools. On March 14, she was interviewed by Vanessa Miller, higher education reporter for the Cedar Rapids Gazette, about Cyclone Civics. Kedrowski and Iowa State University political science associate professor Jonathan Hassid appeared on Iowa Public Radio’s “River to River” on March 19. On April 7, Kedrowski appeared on IPR’s “Talk of Iowa” to discuss how online radicalization is contributing to this gender gap in politics, and provided feedback to Rosemary Feitelberg of Women’s Wear Daily regarding the Trump Organization opening a Trump store on Amazon. On April 11, she presented about Cyclone Civics to the LAS Dean’s Advisory Council at their meeting in Catt Hall and was also interviewed by Roger Riley of WHO13 News about Gov. Kim Reynolds’ announcement about not seeking re-election in 2026. On May 5, Kedrowski was interviewed by Alex Fulton of Local 5 News about Lt. Gov. Chris Cournoyer’s announcement that she is running for state auditor. On May 12, she was interviewed by Jenna Webster of WQAD-TV about the Iowa governor’s race, following the announcement by state auditor Rob Sand that he is entering the race.
Em Mach, a senior in industrial engineering and an intern on the Catt Center’s Women in Iowa Politics Database/Gender Balance Project, presented “Dimensions of Discomfort: How Standard Classroom Seating Disadvantages Diverse Bodies” at the 2025 Women’s and Gender Studies Student Research Conference on April 12 at Iowa State University.
Kelly Shaw, teaching professor of political science and associate director of Cyclone Civics, was interviewed by Vanessa Miller, higher education reporter for the Cedar Rapids Gazette, about Cyclone Civics on March 14. He appeared on Iowa Public Radio’s “River to River” on April 2 and April 30. From April 4-6, Shaw took a group of Iowa State University political science students to the Midwest Model EU at Indiana University Bloomington, where the students played the role of Poland. On April 11, Shaw presented about Cyclone Civics to the LAS Dean’s Advisory Council at their meeting in Catt Hall.
Amy Erica Smith, associate director for research and professor of political science; Allan Bubna, graduate student in political science and Catt Center research assistant; and Clenia de Mattia presented “Rural Women in Politics: Campaign Financing for Female Candidates in Iowa” on April 6 at the 2025 Midwest Political Science Association Conference in Chicago, Illinois.
Alison Wyatt, senior in data science and an intern on the Catt Center’s Women in Iowa Politics Database/Gender Balance Project, was initiated into Phi Beta Kappa, the oldest and most prestigious academic honor society in the United States, during a ceremony on April 27.