2021: Debra Solberg Gibson

Debra Solberg Gibson’s (1981) career at Iowa State began in 1982 after a stint as editor of Farm Review, the Spencer Daily Reporter’s monthly agribusiness publication based in Spencer, Iowa. She first joined the ISU Alumni Association as an information specialist, serving as the principal writer and editor for the department as well as the alumni editor of The Iowa Stater tabloid. In 1987, Gibson became the director of publications and the founding editor of VISIONS magazine, the official alumni magazine of Iowa State University. In nine years under Gibson’s editorship, VISIONS netted more than 70 regional and national awards in writing, design and photography from the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education (CASE), including an unprecedented six consecutive Sweepstakes Awards and three Best Alumni Magazine awards. Gibson also worked for Iowa State’s Office of University Relations as a communications specialist from 2000 to 2004. Since 2004, Gibson has taught and advised hundreds of Greenlee students as a senior lecturer and associate professor of practice. Her course topics include reporting, writing, magazine publishing, principles of journalism, fashion and beauty writing and social media influencer marketing. For 17 years, she served as the Greenlee School’s first Meredith Professional in Residence, overseeing Greenlee’s Meredith Apprentice Program, which places Iowa State students in editorial, digital and graphic design pre-professional positions within the Meredith Corporation. Gibson retired from Iowa State in May 2021.