Given Lisa Kieffer-Haverkamp’s fondness for gardening, it’s no surprise that her career path has centered on growing the next generation of school leaders.
Kieffer-Haverkamp, who was a clinical instructor and program coordinator for the College of Education’s Educational Leadership program, retired June 30, 2025, after more than 40 years in education, including 11 years at the University of Iowa. She joined the university as a full-time faculty member in July 2021 after serving seven years as an adjunct professor for Educational Policy and Leadership Studies (EPLS).
Prior to joining the university, Kieffer-Haverkamp held many roles, including special education teacher, special services director, elementary principal, and Area Education Agency regional administrator.
“In all my roles, I have been involved in supporting the professional learning of specialized staff,” says Kieffer-Haverkamp. “The transition to higher education allowed me to support the next generation of school leaders. As a school leader for the past 30 years, it was a natural step.”
Throughout her career, Kieffer-Haverkamp could not help but notice the correlation between well-orchestrated teamwork and successful outcomes.
“The strength of a team working in the same direction can develop successful learning plans for children, can help build a coalition of support for your school, create a network of support for new teachers, and improve the curriculum and student achievement within a school,” she says. “I have been fortunate to work with phenomenal colleagues who have been focused on improving the system for our children.”
Kieffer-Haverkamp says one of the things she will miss most is the daily interactions with colleagues, both within and outside of the university.
“Lisa has been a fantastic leader for the Educational Leadership program at a time when we needed it most, particularly during the Department of Education review of our Administrative Preparation Licensure programs,” says Kenneth Brown, professor and department executive office of EPLS. “With her hard work building and sustaining partnerships with alumni, faculty, and current administrators, the review went beautifully. We are a better program today for her leadership.”
In retirement Kieffer-Haverkamp plans to volunteer in the community, and continue to hone her master gardener skills, which includes working in her own garden and volunteering at the Ashton House with Project Green. She also looks forward to spending more time biking, drawing, painting, and traveling with family.
Kieffer-Haverkamp also hopes to find new ways to contribute to academia.
“The world of education is critical, and we each need to continue to champion this cause.”