Doug Cutchins has been Grinnell's Director of Service and Social Commitment since 1999 , and is the first person to hold this position at the college. As Director of Service and Social Commitment, Doug advises students on post-graduation service opportunities, administers the Grinnell Corps, runs the college's nomination and selection processes for merit-based scholarships and fellowships, and oversees the Community Service Center. He is also a member of the Center for Prairie Studies executive committee.

A 1993 graduate of Grinnell College, where he majored in History and received a teaching certificate, Doug also holds an MA in History from the University of Connecticut. He has taught social studies in urban and rural schools in Iowa and North Carolina, and served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Suriname from 1995-1997. He has been awarded a James Madison Fellowship by the US government, was named an Honorary Class Member by the Grinnell College class of 2002, and, with his wife Anne Geissinger, was named as one of the inaugural Joseph F. Wall Sesquicentennial Service Award winners.

Doug formerly served on the Boards of Directors of the Iowa Peace Institute for four years; Grinnell United Way for six years, two as President; the Board of Education of the Grinnell-Newburg School District , to which he was elected in 2004, served as President in 2005-06, and Vice-President in 2006-07. Doug is also an elected member of the Board of Directors of the National Association of Fellowships Advisors, and was a member of the 2005-06 class of Leadership Iowa. He is a living kidney donor and a mentor for prospective donors through the Central Iowa Transplant Association. With his wife, Doug is the co-author of the 8th and 9th editions of Volunteer Vacations, published by Chicago Review Press, with the 10th edition currenly being prepared for publication. They have two daughters, Emma and Beatrice.