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.

In 2000, Dr. Chapman began providing 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.
Among the many programs that were initiated and operated out of the Community & Workforce Development Department were second chance Programs, such as, Youthbuild, Gateway to College, and Prison Reentry, as well as the integrated service delivery model, Center For Working Families, to support student success.

In 2013, Dr. Chapman retired from Des Moines Area Community College and upon
retiring, Des Moines Area Community College designated Dr. Chapman the title of Vice
President Emeritus.

Since retiring, she continues to devote her time and energy as an advocate for economic, social and racial justice as well as promoting opportunities and closing the opportunity gap for youth between the ages of 16-24.

In the community, Dr. Chapman serves on various community and civic Boards including Bankers Trust Advisory Board, Iowa Corrections Board, Des Moines Branch NAACP Executive Committee (Women in NAACP Chair), Des Moines Public Arts Foundation, Des Moines Art Festival, Hoyt Sherman Foundation, and Urban Dreams Board. She also is a member of Des Moines Chapter of The Links, Inc. and a life member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

Among the many awards received, is the Iowa African American Hall of Fame inductee, 2013 inductee in the Iowa Women’s Hall of Fame, Business Record Woman of Influence and the Iowa Department of Corrections naming the Mary Chapman Computer Lab in the education center at the Iowa Correctional Institution for Women.