The purpose of The State of Iowa Youth Advisory Council (SIYAC is to foster communication among a group of engaged youth from across Iowa between the ages of 14 and 20 and the governor, general assembly, and state and local policymakers regarding programs, policies, and practices affecting youth and families; and to advocate for youth on important issues affecting youth. SIYAC was originally established in 2001 by Governor Tom Vilsack as a way to inform legislators and policymakers on issues important to youth. In 2009, SIYAC was established in Iowa Code §216A.140(8) under the Department of Human Rights, Iowa Collaboration for Youth Development. These youth leaders are selected to represent all Iowa youth and engage in topics important to young Iowans. Concerns are drafted and shared with policy makers during the legislative session.
Contact: Kayla Powell, Youth Development Coordinator, 515-343-6412, kayla.powell@iowa.gov
First Name
Last Name
SIYAC Title
Home Community
Ebelechukwu (Ebele)
Agu
IDEA Chair
Altoona
Melvin (Mel)
Akakpo Ayewanou
Member
Johnston
Lin
Aung
Secretary
Ottumwa
Claire
Badio
Mental Health Committee Chair
Des Moines
Shalini
Chandupatla
Public Relations Chair
Bettendorf
Lucy
DeBoest
Member
Ames
Alexander
Demuth
Legislative Affairs Chair
Pella
Amal
Eltayib
Environment Committee Chair
Iowa City
Hadley
Harvey
Chair
Des Moines
Naima
Haynes
Member
Waterloo
Zach
Klopping
Vice Chair
Vinton
Greta
Lee
Member
Ankeny
Tristin
Lee
Member
West Burlington
Mariana
Martinez
Member
Bettendorf
Nadia
Patel
Service Chair
Cedar Falls
Hailey
Schaack
Education Committee Chair
Eldridge
Maggie
Taylor
Member
Sioux City
Alexis
Van Voorst
Member
Hull, Iowa
Anna
Werning
Member
Elk Run Heights
SirMichael Carrington
Williams-Thomas
Member
West Des Moines
Aleena
Wittenburg
Community Engagement Committee Chair
Swisher
To raise awareness of issues that affect young Iowans by providing civic opportunity and to inspire youth to create a better future for Iowa.
A State of Iowa Youth Advisory Council has been created to provide input to the Governor, general assembly, and state and local policymakers on youth issues. "Youth" is defined as children and young persons who are ages 6 through 21 years.
The purpose of the youth advisory Council is to foster communication among a group of engaged youth and the Governor, general assembly, and state and local policymakers regarding programs, policies, and practices affecting youth and families; and to advocate for youth on important issues affecting youth.
