By Andi Anderson
Iowa State University Extension and Outreach has appointed Mandy Maher as the new regional director serving Pottawattamie (east and west), Cass, and Adair counties in western Iowa. She will begin her role on September 29, 2025, providing administrative leadership to county extension staff and guiding elected extension councils.
Maher has served as the county director for ISU Extension and Outreach in Fremont County since 2012. In that role, she has led staff teams, fostered a positive work environment, ensured compliance with policies, and supported both financial and programmatic goals.
She has played a key role in connecting local communities with research-based educational resources, strengthening volunteer networks, and delivering data-driven reports that inform strategic planning.
Andrea Welchans, assistant vice president for ISU Extension and Outreach, praised Maher’s skills in relationship building and communication, noting that her ability to connect with people and community networks makes her well-suited for the regional director position.
Maher earned her bachelor’s degree in business administration and communications from Dakota Wesleyan University in Mitchell, South Dakota.
ISU Extension and Outreach operates as part of the nationwide Cooperative Extension Service, a partnership among land-grant universities, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and local governments.
In Iowa, every county has an elected extension council that determines how to support local programming, ensuring educational initiatives meet community needs.
Maher’s new role will position her to expand outreach, strengthen partnerships, and help communities in western Iowa access educational programs that support agriculture, youth development, community improvement, and family well-being.
Photo Credit:Iowa State University
Categories: Iowa, Education