Staff

Carly Bahnsen

Carly Bahnsen joined Iowa Campus Compact as a program coordinator in September of 2018. She works primarily to support Campus Compact AmeriCorps.

Carly graduated from the University of Iowa with a Bachelor’s Degree in Linguistics. Carly is an avid Hawkeye fan who, prior to joining the IACC team, worked for her alma mater at the University of Iowa – Des Moines Programs.

Rob Barron

Executive Director Rob Barron brings a wealth and breadth of experience in civic and community engagement and higher education leadership to Iowa & Minnesota Campus Compact. Rob also currently serves as vice chair of the Des Moines School Board and is a founder of the Latino Political Network. In 2021, Madison 365 named Rob one of the Midwest’s most influential people of color. A Des Moines native, Rob earned a Bachelor of Science in Political Science from Grinnell College.

Jaquelyn Chagnon

Jaquelyn previously served as the VISTA Leader for the College Health Corps and as a VISTA at a local health department in North Bend, OR working on public health department accreditation, and believes the VISTA program is an invaluable program and resource.

Jaquelyn received an individualized B.S. in Public Health, Addiction Studies, and Psychology from the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities.

Monique Ellefson

Monique serves as Program Manager for Student Success and works with our Campus Compact AmeriCorps Program. Her journey into civic engagement began as an impassioned student leader at the University of South Dakota. This led her to serve as an AmeriCorps VISTA for Oregon Campus Compact. Later, she served as the VISTA Leader for Iowa Campus Compact. After her terms of service, she earned her Master’s of Science in Education at Indiana University where she was a Graduate Assistant for Community Engagement.

Faith James

Faith graduated from Elon University with a B.A. in International Studies and minors in Leadership Studies, Poverty & Social Justice Studies, and Teaching & Learning. Based in Minneapolis, she is currently serving as one of two AmeriCorps VISTA Leaders. Faith is originally from North Carolina and is entering her second year living in Minnesota. She spent her first year serving as a VISTA with the Minnesota State Office of Equity and Inclusion with a focus on training development.

Mila Kaut

Mila graduated from the University of Iowa with majors in History, Music, and Gender, Women’s, and Sexuality Studies. She is currently a Lead for America Fellow serving as an Equity Research VISTA with IAMNCC and the Des Moines Civil & Human Rights Commission. Mila is committed to exploring and actualizing the links between education and enfranchisement. She is also developing the Iowa Community Histories Initiative, which aims to recover, teach, and preserve Iowa’s unheard histories. 

Ashley López

Ashley brings a diverse skillset to IAMNCC after her nearly 13 years of career experience in education, social service, community organizing, youth development, and social justice. She earned a BA in Politics from Mount Holyoke College and a Master’s in Education from Concordia University, St. Paul. She is now pursuing a Masters in Advocacy & Political Leadership at Metropolitan State University. Reflecting a deep passion for equity and inclusion, Ashley’s work is rooted in anti-racist, pro-justice praxis in all that she does.

Christine Nguyen

Christine focuses on student development and success with our part-time AmeriCorps members. Christine previously served as an AmeriCorps member, Community Organizer, and College Mentoring Coach supporting first generation, low income students. She is a first generation graduate earning a B.S in Child, Adult, and Family Services at Iowa State University. Christine is passionate about service and building opportunities for students who will create impactful change in their communities.

Kara Trebil-Smith

Kara Trebil-Smith is Program Manager for Community Impact, working with our AmeriCorps VISTA program and community organizations. She has spent more than 10 years in community engagement roles on Iowa college campuses. In 2018 she completed her doctoral degree in higher education from the University of Denver where her research focused on building the capacity of community engagement professionals to practice inclusion of racially minoritized students.

Jane Turk

Through her previous work in a center for teaching and learning, Jane designed and delivered professional development to faculty and staff, specializing in high-impact educational practices and inclusive teaching strategies. She has taught at a variety of college and universities. Jane earned a Bachelor of Arts in Communication & Media Studies and Humanities & Cultural Studies from Macalester College, and a Master of Philosophy and Master of Arts in Communications from Columbia University.