Connecting Students to Their Future: Dawn Bowlus’ 15+ Years of Impact with Junior Achievement

Image caption: “Engaging with students and hearing about their plans for the future—even if they don’t have a plan yet—is always rewarding.” - Dawn Bowlus

For more than 25 years, Dawn Bowlus has dedicated her career to helping students develop the skills they need to succeed in college, careers, and beyond. As a leader at the Jacobson Institute at the University of Iowa, Dawn designs and implements programs focused on innovation, invention, and entrepreneurship—equipping students with the mindset and abilities to navigate an ever-changing world.

Last summer marked a major milestone in Dawn’s career: 25 years at the University of Iowa. During that time, the programs she has helped build have expanded far beyond Iowa, reaching students in 40 states and 23 countries. Her work centers on empowering students to think creatively, solve problems, and explore new possibilities—values that align closely with Junior Achievement’s mission.

That alignment is what first drew Dawn to Junior Achievement more than 15 years ago.

“I believe in JA’s mission to help students develop the skills we know they will need tomorrow,” she says. “I also love the community engagement aspect of JA.”

Over the years, Dawn has served as both a dedicated board member and a classroom volunteer, enjoying the opportunity to see firsthand how JA programs inspire students and connect them with the community around them.

One of Dawn’s newest favorite experiences is volunteering with the JA Dream Accelerator™, where students explore career paths, set goals, and think about their futures in a hands-on way.

For Dawn, the most rewarding part of volunteering is the chance to hear directly from students.

“Engaging with students and hearing about their plans for the future—even if they don’t have a plan yet—is always rewarding,” she says.

Some of her most meaningful moments with JA have been personal ones. Dawn fondly remembers when her daughter volunteered alongside her while she was in elementary school.

“We would go to her former kindergarten classroom, and she would read the story,” Dawn recalls. “The kids loved having a student just a couple years older than them be part of the program. And as a parent, I loved being part of the entire experience.”

Through both her professional work and her involvement with JA, Dawn believes one of the most valuable aspects of the programs is the opportunity for students to build connections with members of their community.

“I think the most valuable part of JA is giving students the opportunity to connect with individuals from their community,” she says.

As a longtime board member, Dawn has seen firsthand how Junior Achievement prepares young people with the knowledge, confidence, and connections they need for the future. Her continued commitment helps ensure that students across Eastern Iowa gain access to experiences that spark curiosity, build essential skills, and inspire them to imagine what’s possible.