Susan Leathem Sanning

As the Associate Dean and Director of Civic Education and Innovation at Grinnell College, Susan works in close partnership with the Center for Careers, Life & Service Dean and has responsibility for a number of center-wide priorities. In her role as the Director of Civic Education and Innovation, Susan collaborates with campus, community, and global constituencies to provide opportunities for students to explore how their civic experiences intersect with their academic interests, their personal and civic values, and their professional goals. She is responsible for identifying and supporting socially just and mutually beneficial campus-community partnerships that: 1. Serve and promote the common good; 2. Leverage the benefit of faculty and student scholarship and creative activity; 3. Enhance curriculum through community-based learning opportunities; and 4. Prepare students to be responsible, self-reflective, and civically engaged citizens.

Susan was born in Boston, Massachusetts, and has lived in various parts of the country including communities outside of Chicago, Illinois; Houston, Texas; and Princeton, New Jersey. She earned a BBA from Baylor University in finance and management and received both an MDiv and ThM from Princeton Theological Seminary before going on to do PhD work in women’s studies and world religions at Drew University. Prior to her work at Grinnell College, Susan served as chaplain and spiritual care counselor for Hospice of Central Iowa and Grinnell Regional Medical Center. She views her current responsibilities as a natural progression of her own values and professional goals, and she appreciates being able to actively live out the lessons of her education and give back to the individuals who invited her into their communities during times of crisis.

Susan is married to Erik Sanning, Technical Director in Grinnell’s Theatre and Dance Department. Together they enjoy training therapy dogs and tending to their land, horses, and laying hens on their small hobby farm just west of campus. In her free time Susan enjoys spending time with her adult children and their families, reading historical fiction, walking the beaches of Anna Maria Island (Florida), promoting social justice, and gardening.