ISU Dining director Karen Rodekamp. Photo by Christopher Gannon.
Karen Rodekamp, associate director for engagement in ISU Dining, has been promoted to director of ISU Dining, effective Nov. 1. She had served in the position on an interim basis since late September.
With the residence department and the Memorial Union, ISU Dining is part of the campus life unit in the division of student affairs.
Rodekamp has worked for the university's campus dining services in a variety of responsibilities since 1999, when she started as an assistant manager for catering and later led the Memorial Union catering unit. In 2005, she transferred to dining's food stores, where she purchased produce and commodities for 25-plus production and service locations across campus. She later moved to the business and support services office, which involved more duties in contract management and sustainability initiatives. She was promoted to associate director for engagement in 2019. The engagement role has oversight for educating students and families about meal plan and dietary service options, the student staffing and nutritional support units, and special events, working closely with the marketing team. For a time, Rodekamp will continue to handle responsibilities related to this leadership post.
Rodekamp previously served as an interim codirector of ISU Dining for much of 2022.
Her real start in campus dining occurred during her undergraduate years at Iowa State. She worked as a student employee and student manager while earning a bachelor's degree in hotel, restaurant and institutional management.
Rodekamp's office is in 1215 Friley. She can be reached by phone at 515-294-1486, by email at kschmit@iastate.edu.
