We couldn’t do this work without essential partnerships and contributions from people with lived experience.
Alex Waters has been an integral member of the HOME Steering Committee since its inception in 2022. A self-described Iowan through and through, grew up in the small town of Ocheyedan in northwest Iowa, later attending high school in Okoboji before heading to Sioux City for college. Just weeks into his freshman year at Morningside University, Alex experienced a life-changing accident that resulted in quadriplegia, but he has never let obstacles define him.
He returned to Morningside after six months of rehabilitation and earned his undergraduate degree in political science and then pursued his masters of negotiation undergraduate degree in political science and then pursued his masters of negotiation & dispute resolution at Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska. These experiences fueled his drive to make meaningful change, leading him into community engagement and public service.
Following graduate school, he was selected for a pivotal summer with the U.S. Department of Education, where he discovered a passion for outreach and education. Encouraged by the DOE’s Chief Human Capital Officer, Alex embraced his interests and immersed himself in advocacy work.
After his experience in Washington DC, he returned to Iowa and since 2012, Sioux City has been home. Today, Alex serves as Morningside University’s Director of Alumni Engagement, a role he’s held for the past three and a half years. His work connects alumni across the globe, fostering mentorship, internships, and classroom discussions. But his contributions extend beyond the university. Inspired by his experience in political campaigns, Alex ran for office in 2016. Though his first attempt was unsuccessful, his commitment never wavered—he ran again, was appointed, and in 2017 was elected to the City Council of Sioux City.
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 Alex understands firsthand the importance of community-based services. The Physical Disability (PD) waiver enabled him to pursue higher education, return to the workforce, and maintain continuous employment. Medicaid plays a crucial role in his daily life, providing essential care and support. He recognizes the system’s challenges and inefficiencies and is committed to improving access and effectiveness—particularly for Iowans with disabilities and older adults who rely on these services. The stakes are high, as he has seen friends struggle when they lose coverage.
For Alex, advocacy isn’t just about identifying problems, it’s about driving solutions. He firmly believes in policy that reflects lived experience, ensuring that programs are both effective and equitable.
While he acknowledges that Medicaid isn’t perfect, he sees real potential for reducing waitlists, improving efficiency, and expanding coverage.
Outside of his career and advocacy, Alex is a passionate foodie, always exploring new restaurants, sharing meals with friends and family, and capturing his culinary adventures in photos. He’s also the proud owner of Bette, his four-year-old golden retriever, who serves as an animal ambassador at Morningside University.
Summer is an especially exciting time for Alex, as his job involves hosting alumni events nationwide. From the Omaha Zoo to Summer Vibes at Morningside —complete with dueling pianos, food trucks, and a bouncy house—to a gathering at the Vikings stadium in Minnesota, he works to bring people together and strengthen alumni connections.
Whether through his work with alumni, his advocacy for improved public services, or his leadership in Sioux City, Alex makes a lasting impact on his community.
We deeply value his contributions to the HOME Steering Committee and the insights he brings to this vital work.
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