Travis is Professor of Practice in the School of Planning and Public Affairs and has served as Director of the Iowa Initiative for Sustainable Communities (IISC) since 2016.

Travis has held an appointment as Faculty Fellow for Engaged Teaching and Scholarship with the UI Office of Community Engagement. He serves on the board of directors for EPIC-N, an international network of community engagement programs, and he also enjoys serving on the board of the local arts non-profit, Public Space One. He was the recipient of the prestigious 2025 Michael J. Brody Award for Faculty Excellence in Service.

Prior to joining the IISC, Travis led the Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development organizations in Mount Pleasant, Iowa, worked as a regional planner for the Southeast Iowa Regional Planning Commission, and was a successful small business entrepreneur for many years. Travis earned a Master's degree in Urban & Regional Planning from the University of Iowa, where he also earned a Bachelor’s degree in English and a secondary teaching certificate. 

CV:

Travis Kraus CV 8/2024