Catelin Drey's educational qualification: How her Morningside University degrees fueled a historic Iowa senate win

A political upset with far-reaching consequences unfolded this week as Catelin Drey secured a decisive victory in Iowa’s State Senate District 1, defeating Republican Christopher Prosch in a closely watched special election. The result flips a district that President Donald Trump carried comfortably in 2024 and breaks the Republican supermajority in the Iowa Senate. For Democrats, who have struggled to gain ground in the state for more than a decade, Drey’s triumph marks both a symbolic and strategic breakthrough.


The educational bedrock of her journey

While headlines focus on the electoral numbers, Drey’s ascent is deeply rooted in her academic foundation at Morningside University in Sioux City, where she completed dual degrees in Spanish and Photography. Her educational path, distinct from the conventional routes of political science or law, reflects an early commitment to cultural fluency, communication, and creativity.

Spanish equipped her with the tools to engage with Iowa’s increasingly diverse communities, while Photography sharpened her ability to capture perspectives and craft compelling narratives. These disciplines combined to shape a leader attuned to empathy, detail, and connection, qualities that now define her public service.


Translating education into professional experience
Following graduation, Drey built a career in marketing, where her academic strengths in communication and storytelling translated into practical expertise. She learned how to craft messages that resonated, amplify voices often overlooked, and ensure engagement across diverse audiences. This professional foundation has become central to her political appeal, helping her bridge divides in a district long held by Republicans.


Founding Moms for Iowa

Drey’s educational journey also inspired her grassroots leadership. As the founder of Moms for Iowa, she created a platform that makes public policy accessible to parents, particularly mothers navigating systemic challenges while balancing demanding family schedules. The initiative exemplifies her ability to use academic grounding to address real-world barriers and empower underrepresented voices in civic life.


A victory with broader implications
With a margin of nearly 10 points in a district Trump once carried by 11, Drey’s victory has shifted the balance of power in Des Moines. Democrats now hold 17 seats in the state Senate compared to Republicans’ 33, breaking the GOP’s two-thirds supermajority. The new numbers enable Democrats to block Governor Kim Reynolds ’ nominations to state agencies and commissions in her final year in office.


Education as a political catalyst

Drey’s journey illustrates how education is more than a credential, it is a catalyst for leadership. Her academic pursuits provided intellectual versatility, cultural awareness, and the narrative skills that continue to shape her career and political vision. In a state that has trended Republican for years, her trajectory shows how academic grounding, coupled with grassroots experience, can produce candidates capable of reshaping the political map.


Looking ahead

As Democrats celebrate a hard-won breakthrough and Republicans reassess their strategy, Catelin Drey stands out as a figure whose success reflects not only political momentum but also the transformative power of education. Her path from Morningside University to the Iowa Senate underscores a truth voters recognize instinctively: leaders who combine lived experience with strong educational foundations bring resilience, empathy, and vision to public life.