Travis Kraus, Director of Iowa Initiative for Sustainable Communities (IISC), received the 2021 Presidents’ Civic Engagement Leadership Award from the Iowa and Minnesota Campus Compact (IAMNCC). The award recognizes Travis for advancing the University of Iowa’s civic mission by forming strong partnerships with communities throughout the State of Iowa, by supporting community engagement by UI faculty and students across campus, and by institutionalizing a culture and practice of engagement through IISC.

According to the Campus Compact, “The COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 Election, climate change, and the ongoing national reckoning for racial justice have renewed purpose and solidified commitments to civic and community engagement across the Iowa & Minnesota Campus Compact network. The exemplary work and leadership of this year’s cohort of awardees demonstrates how our member campuses have risen to the challenge and met the current moment.”

Travis was selected for his dedication to IISC. Under his leadership, IISC has served many Iowa communities, from Webster City to Keokuk, and from Waterloo to Sioux City. He successfully led community engaged learning through the COVID pandemic. He engaged over 100 students from 10 different UI departments in meaningful place-based engagement projects that transform student learning while enhancing sustainability in Iowa.

Travis is himself a graduate of the University of Iowa’s School of Planning and Public Affairs (SPPA) with a Master of Urban and Regional Planning. As a graduate student, he participated in as similar community-engaged capstone project. He works tirelessly to ensure that communities receive the assistance they need, and that UI students gain impactful and practical hands-on experience and knowledge to launch their early careers.

Please help us congratulations Travis on this important regional award!