The Center for Energy & Environmental Education (CEEE) at the University of Northern Iowa will experience a leadership transition in 2025, as longtime director Kamyar Enshayan will be retiring in December and Ashley Coffin will take his place in January.

For the last two years, Coffin has served as assistant director of CEEE. Thanks to her efforts, it has secured some of its largest grants to date, and AmeriCorps service members have become more integrated into all CEEE programs.

“We have built a strong and impactful center through the vision and efforts of the leadership and staffing at the CEEE,” said Coffin. “To me, one of Kamyar's greatest strengths in leading the center has been the value he has placed on the passion and expertise of his staff and their partnerships in the community. I want to make sure that continues to be an emphasis in my transition to director and to continue to keep our hand on the pulse of where we can be of service. I am excited to be able to play a new role in that upward trajectory and continue to work with my wonderful colleagues. I believe the work we are doing is some of the most important and challenging work of our time: food, housing, environmental health and creating opportunities for young people to connect, understand and care about their environment. I'm excited and deeply grateful for the opportunity.”

Coffin was first hired by the CEEE to develop Green Iowa AmeriCorps, which was founded to serve Iowa communities affected by the 2008 floods. Since then, she has grown the group into one of the largest AmeriCorps programs in Iowa. In 2022, national leaders of AmeriCorps recognized this Green Iowa AmeriCorps the best program nationally.

“It has been a huge honor to work with Ashley for the last 15 years, as she has grown CEEE's Green Iowa AmeriCorps Program to be an iconic program of community service to Iowa communities, involving UNI students and college graduates,” said Enshayan. “Ashley is committed to community service, and she has extensive experiences to secure funds and operationalize a concept in collaboration with many other community leaders. I am thrilled that CEEE will continue to lead and continue to work with UNI faculty and students to serve Iowa.”

Founded in 1994, the CEEE exists to empower Iowans with the knowledge, experience, tools and inspiration to create a sustainable and desirable future for our communities. The center offers technical assistance, educational programs and leadership in energy conservation, renewable energy, environmental conservation and community-based agriculture.