Mary Chapman earned her Education Doctorate degree from Vanderbilt University, Education Specialist’s degree from Drake University, M.S. from Iowa State University and her B.S. degree, also from Drake.
Dr. Chapman joined Des Moines Area Community College in 1990 as the Urban Des Moines Campus Executive Dean/Provost. Under her leadership the campus reached record enrollment levels and created new academic programs in business and information technology.
Since 2000, Dr. Chapman has provided leadership as Vice President for Community and Workforce Partnerships at Des Moines Area Community College. In this role, she worked with central Iowa businesses to identify employment opportunities for underrepresented, as well as disenfranchised youth and adults. She has established many successful partnerships and developed strategies with state agencies and local schools and community organizations to provide employer driven skill based training and education for these individuals to ensure their employment and improve their lives.
In 2013, Dr. Chapman retired from Des Moines Area Community College and was designated Vice President Emeritus.
Dr. Chapman serves on various community and civic boards including Simpson College Board of Trustees, BRAVO Greater Des Moines Board, Bankers Trust Advisory Board, Iowa Corrections Board, Des Moines Branch NAACP Executive Committee, Iowa Health Des Moines Board, and Des Moines Festival Board. She also is a member of Des Moines Chapter of The Links, Inc. and a life member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. She is active as an Opportunity Iowa Leader advancing the national agenda of Opportunity Nation/ Opportunity Iowa to close the opportunity gap for youth between the ages of 16-24. Her many honors include the Iowa African American Hall of Fame (2005) and the Iowa Women’s Hall of Fame (2013).