As the first director of community enhancement and engagement for Grinnell College, Monica Chavez-Silva works with the surrounding community to build partnerships and identify opportunities for College participation in community improvements. In this role she oversees the College’s local gifts, grants, and investments; serves as a liaison between ‘town’ and ‘gown’; and actively facilitates partnerships aimed at enhancing local quality of life. Monica is a member of the American Planning Association and, through her office, represents the College to the International Town & Gown Association and the Iowa Council of Foundations. Monica has lived in Grinnell since 1998, when she moved to Iowa with her husband, Pablo Silva, associate professor of history at Grinnell. Previously, she worked as a consumer research specialist at Leo Burnett Chicago and established Burnett’s research department in Santiago, Chile.
Grinnell Prize
Monica Chavez-Silva
