Patricia Patnode is the Midwest Regional Leader. She is from Waterloo, Iowa and is an alumni of Loras College in Dubuque. Patricia has worked on various political campaigns and other volunteer work throughout her home state. Currently, she is a columnist for The Cedar Rapids Gazette focusing on pop culture and utility issues. Patricia also coaches figure skating on the side.

“I’m excited to help connect students and young scholars in the midwest with the educational and publication resources that can otherwise be very tricky and confusing to navigate without a LOT of institutional knowledge. Great leaders and writers come from everywhere, from community colleges to Ivy League universities to high school dropouts. Everyone has an equal opportunity to improve their corner of America a little bit.”