Dr. Dianne Bystrom is director emerita of the Carrie Chapman Catt Center for Women and Politics at Iowa State University. In addition to directing the center for 22 years, she founded and directed Iowa State’s Leadership Studies Program for 10 years. At Iowa State, she taught courses on women and politics, political campaigns, and women and leadership. Dr. Bystrom has contributed to 28 books—including “Gender and Politics: Changing the Face of Civic Life”; “Women in the American Political System: An Encyclopedia of Women as Voters, Candidates, and Office Holders”; and “Gender and Elections: Shaping the Future of American Politics” as a co-author, co-editor or chapter author. She also has written journal articles on women and politics, youth voters and the Iowa caucus. Dr. Bystrom speaks often to community groups and professional organizations about political and women’s issues. She earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Kearney (NE) State College and a master’s degree in journalism and Ph.D. in communication, both from the University of Oklahoma.
