The Grinnell Gathers series was inspired by local resident Rieslynn Goetzinger. As she wrapped up her senior year of high school, Goetzinger wanted to share the impact her involvement in the Rotary Club of Grinnell had on her experience as a student and introduce other students and community members to places where people come together to do good.
For Sebastian Mrotzek ’28, addressing hunger means thinking about both what a community needs today and what could make that need less common tomorrow.
An economics major at Grinnell College, Mrotzek spent the summer working with local organizations focused on food access as part of the College’s Summer of Service program. His experience has taken him from stocking the community fridge at Drake Community Library and helping with community meals to volunteering with organizations working throughout Grinnell and Poweshiek County.
As a summer intern with the Grinnell Area Arts Council (GAAC), Pruszinski's work spans nearly every aspect of the organization—from youth arts education and public programming to nonprofit administration and communications. The experience is helping her grow as an educator while offering a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to keep a community arts organization thriving.
Summer at Grinnell is anything but quiet. Students spent their days conducting hands-on research through Mentored Advanced Projects (MAPs), while the campus and community came together for farmers' markets, concerts in the park, Fourth of July celebrations, youth programs, and countless moments that make Grinnell feel like home. This photo essay offers a glimpse into a season filled with discovery, connection, and community.
As director of communications, she leads strategic communications and media relations, oversees the College's social media strategy, and enjoys highlighting partnerships that strengthen the relationship between the College and the community. Away from work, you'll usually find her at her family's cabin in northern Minnesota, traveling, shopping or chasing after Summer, her energetic chocolate Lab. We caught up with Mattia to learn more about her life on and off campus.
This summer that passion evolved through her volunteer work with Grinnell’s Civic Education & Innovation (CEI) Summer of Service program with the Grinnell Fire Department and regional emergency response organizations. Rather than focusing solely on emergency response, the position introduces Trujillo to the many agencies working together to strengthen public health, emergency preparedness, and community safety throughout Poweshiek County.
The Community Mini-Grant Program is one way Grinnell College partners with local nonprofit organizations to support initiatives that build community strength and resilience.
A week of free performances and hands-on workshops connected Grinnell families with Iowa history, storytelling, music, and creativity through a partnership between the Grinnell College Museum of Art and community organizations.
Grinnell College Vice President for Community Engagement and Strategic Planning Monica Chavez-Silva has been selected to receive a 2026 Governor’s Volunteer Award in recognition of her outstanding commitment to volunteer service in Iowa.
Grinnell College and the Grinnell Mutual Group Foundation have announced lead gifts totaling $475,000 in support of the Grinnell-Newburg School Foundation (GNSF) campaign benefiting the new Grinnell-Newburg Elementary School project at Ahrens Park. Grinnell College has pledged $250,000, while the Grinnell Mutual Group Foundation has committed $225,000 to the foundation’s School Facilities Fund, helping advance community efforts to bring the full vision of the new school to life.
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