Monica Chavez-Silva

Monica Chavez-Silva serves as Grinnell College’s Vice President for Community Engagement and Strategic Planning. As a member of the President’s Direct Report team, she leads efforts to connect college and community planning. She is recognized as a national leader in developing effective cross-sector collaborations particularly for her role in spearheading the Grinnell Education Partnership which has successfully improved learning outcomes for at-risk students.  

She serves on a variety of boards related to community development, including serving as Manager for the Strand Theatre LLC, Vice President of the Greater Poweshiek Community Foundation, Chair of the Iowa Commission on Volunteer Service, and Advisory Council member of the Anchor Institution Taskforce. Previously, she has served as President of the Iowa Council of Foundations, as a board member of the International Town and Gown Association, and as communications chair for the Small Town and Rural Planning Division of the American Planning Association.  Recognized by the Business Record's Women of Influence award in 2024, Chavez-Silva holds an AB from Harvard College.