Southeastern Community College Alumni Association | Distinguished Alumnus Award 2019
A single literature class with professor Tom Gardner inspired Jodi Cook to enroll full-time and earn an Associate of Arts at the Keokuk Campus of Southeastern Community College in 1994. She then earned a Bachelor of Arts in English Education in 1996 from Western Illinois University, graduating Magna Cum Laude with a minor in Creative Writing and was chosen as the English/Journalism Departmental Scholar. In 1999, she received a Master of Arts in English and Writing from Western Illinois University (WIU).
Jodi was a full-time English and Writing professor at WIU for 11 years and an adjunct instructor in English and Speech at Carl Sandburg College. In 2010, she returned to SCC as an English professor and Drama Club advisor, creating the annual Keokuk Zombie Walk and directing numerous plays. Jodi also initiated the Europe Study Abroad program, was recipient of the Outstanding Leadership and Community Service Award from Phi Theta Kappa, and has directed SCC musicals such as Rent, Young Frankenstein, and Spamalot. Jodi serves on the Keokuk Fine Arts Council and is currently Chair of the SCC Alumni Association.
Jodi and her family live in Keokuk, Iowa.
