Alexander Bessie

Chemical and Biological Engineering

Alexander is from Moorhead, Minnesota

Alexander is majoring in chemical engineering. Alexander indicates he very much enjoyed his freshman year and is excited to continue to build his chemical engineering knowledge as a sophomore. He started tutoring general chemistry his freshman year and plans on tutoring freshman chemical engineering classes during fall semester 2024. He was involved with the Iowa State chapter of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AICHE) his freshman year, as well as residence-hall government opportunities and is excited to continue to learn and grow as he continues his education.

Joelle Bloms

Industrial and Manufacturing Systems Engineering

Joelle is from Edwards, Illinois

Joelle is majoring in industrial engineering with a minor in spanish. Joelle indicates she chose to attend Iowa State University as she is the daughter of two Iowa State alums. Her father is a Tau Beta Pi member, so she considers it an honor to continue to represent herself and her family at Iowa State as a recipient of a Tau Beta Pi Endowed Scholarship. She plans to be diligent and persistent in her academic studies to become a Tau Beta Pi member. Spring semester 2024 she was on the Dean List as a junior. In addition to academics, she is a member of the ISU Symphony Orchestra where she is one of the 1st violin players. Looking to the future, she hopes to pursue a career in quality engineering and to use her spanish minor to work with global teams.

Sarah Broeker

Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering

Sarah is from Pekin, Illinois

Sarah is majoring in civil engineering. Sarah will be a sophomore in fall semester 2024. She chose to major in civil engineering because, with her degree, she could help in the “Building of America”. She spent the summer working at River City Construction in Peoria, Illinois, about 30 minutes from her home, and noted that throughout the summer her boss and others on the building site reinforced her role in this effort. In the future, she hopes to plan and build buildings that will keep people safe and improve the communities in which they are built.

During her freshman year, Sarah was involved in several student organizations, but her favorite was Engineering Without Borders. The team in which she participated helped design the mechanical, electrical, and plumbing portion of a medical clinic in Ullo, Ghana. This coming year she will be a member of the team traveling to Ghana to help install the equipment in the medical building. She indicated she was super excited about the opportunity.

She hopes to join Tau Beta Pi when she becomes eligible for membership as a junior because of its values and the leadership opportunities of membership.

Rachel Bruggeman

Chemical and Biological Engineering

Rachel is from Sioux Falls, South Dakota

Rachel is majoring in chemical engineering. Rachel will be a junior fall semester 2024. Her brother went to Iowa State when her family lived in Iowa and had enjoyed his Iowa State experience. She loved the campus when she visited him and realized early in her college search that her South Dakota residency would make it difficult for her to afford out-of-state tuition. She indicted that she came from a single-parent household, as her father died when she was 18 months old, and her mother never remarried. Despite the financial concern, she found that Iowa State was the best school for what she wanted to study, so took a leap of faith and has since found a level of support and generosity as a scholarship recipient that is making her dream a reality.

Rachel indicated she is excited to continue her Chemical Engineering studies and her study of Spanish. Outside academics, she plays the flute in the ISU Symphonic Band and enjoys climbing at the gym in her free time. Following graduation, she hopes to make a meaningful, positive contribution to the world’s pressing environmental issues, including energy and water.

Anna Bushlack

Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering

Anna is from Woodbury, Minnesota

Anna is majoring in civil engineering. Anna will be a sophomore in fall semester 2024. She indicates her first year at Iowa State University has been incredibly enriching and has reinforced her passion for the field of civil engineering. She looks forward to the coming years when she will have the opportunity to dive deeper into coursework that explores the intricate balance between infrastructure development and environmental sustainability. She has been selected as a participant in the Iowa State University College of Engineering’s 2023-2024 Kiewit Scholars Program. Through the Kiewit Scholars Program, students receive financial support to cover their educational expenses, are exposed to a range of opportunities that enable them to evolve into exceptional engineers, and have the opportunity to connect with Kiewit professionals, gaining valuable insights into the industry. In addition to academics, Anna is a member of the Mountaineering and Climbing Club, serving as treasurer.

Justine Cowley

Materials Science and Engineering

Justine is from Fayette, Iowa

Justine is majoring in materials engineering. Justine will be a junior fall semester 2024. She was undecided on her engineering major when she came to Iowa State. She recalls enjoying math and science when she was a child and creating an invention book that included new product ideas she thought would make daily tasks more efficient. She choose to major in Materials Engineering after hearing the department professors in her Engineering 101 class talk about that major and the different materials that make up products.

In addition to academics, she is a cabinet officer in Henderson House in Friley Hall. She also participated in The Salt Company, an on-campus ministry of Cornerstone Church, the Iowa State Running Club, sand volleyball, and indoor volleyball intramurals throughout the year. She is not sure what she wants to do after graduation, but would like to work as an engineer and someday create several of the new product ideas she had as a child.

Cassandra Davis

Industrial and Manufacturing Systems Engineering

Cassandra is from Walker, Iowa

Cassandra is majoring in industrial engineering and pursuing a leadership studies minor. Cassandra will be a sophomore fall semester 2024. She chose to attend Iowa State University because she loved the small-town feel of the campus and appreciated the many opportunities ISU offers as a large institution. She indicates that finding a major that genuinely excited her was a challenge, but thinks industrial engineering is the perfect fit for her. Throughout her time as a student, she hopes to gain experience and life lessons through multiple internships and co-ops. During the summer 2024 she worked as an intern at CRST, an American freight company based in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. As she gets closer to graduation, she hopes industry experiences will help guide her career choice.

Outside of academics, she is involved with campus activities and the surrounding community. Fall 2023 she chose to join SALC (Student Alumni Leadership Council), a program of the Iowa State University Alumni Association that sponsors, plans and coordinates programs and events for ISU students, alumni and the Ames community. She indicated that being a First Year Leadership League member helped develop her leadership skills and be a part of the Iowa State traditions like homecoming. Spring 2024 she was elected the SALC Executive Vice President. In this role, she will co-lead the First Year Leadership League with the executive president, carry out treasurer duties, and support the Homecoming, Cyclone Alley, and Senior Class Council Committees. In addition, she plans to continue her participation in The Salt Company, an on-campus ministry of Cornerstone Church. She also wants to become more involved in the engineering community by participating in the Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineering.

Amelia Humphrey

Electrical and Computer Engineering

Amelia is from Geneva, Illinois

Amelia is majoring in computer engineering with a minor in data science. Amelia will be a sophomore fall semester 2024. For the coming year she is looking forward to her computer engineering and data science classes and during spring semester 2025 plans to study abroad in Ireland to expand her international perspective on engineering.

Jessica Kalmar

Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering

Jessica is from Naperville, Illinois

Jessica is majoring in Environmental Engineering. Jessica will be a sophomore fall semester 2024. She indicates that she chose to study environmental engineering to learn new ways of understanding the world and its processes. She notes that Iowa State’s academics has provided an excellent atmosphere for her learning as well as a community where she feels supported and encouraged to grow into the person she aspires to be.

Arissa Kramer

Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering

Arissa is from Westchester, Illnois

Arissa is majoring in civil engineering. Arissa will be a sophomore fall semester 2024. She indicates she came to Iowa State University to pursue a degree in civil engineering because of a desire to impact the world by creating buildings that will be used in communities’ daily lives, but also positively impact the environment. Her desire is to focus on creating Net Zero buildings that will provide a cleaner and more sustainable energy consumption that make as much energy as they use thereby reducing overall emissions.

Trey Krizek

Aerospace Engineering

Trey is from Overland Park, Kansas

Trey is majoring in aerospace engineering with minors in computer science and mathematics. Trey will be a junior fall semester 2024. He notes that Iowa State’s physical campus, reputation of programs offered in the College of Engineering, as well as the other opportunities found on campus, all led him to attend Iowa State University. He indicates that the vast possibilities available in the aerospace and aeronautics, combined with his love for coding, have led him to these courses of study.

Outside of academics, Trey is a member of the Iowa State Symphony playing French horn, the Iowa State Swim Club, the Upper-Division Honors Program, the Engineering Ambassador and Mentor Program and the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. Following graduation, Trey indicates he hopes to work designing flight control systems or control systems in other areas.

Casen Legreid

Mechanical Engineering

Casen is from Lenexa, Kansas

Casen is majoring in mechanical engineering. Casen will be a junior fall semester 2024. He chose to attend Iowa State University because of its established engineering program and vibrant, encouraging atmosphere. In addition to academics, during his first year at Iowa State Casen was involved in numerous other activities including metallurgical research at the Ames National Laboratory as well as social clubs and intramurals. After graduation, he plans to attend graduate school and then utilize his materials knowledge in an exciting and beneficial field, potentially the development of nuclear energy.

Allison Miner

Industrial and Manufacturing Systems Engineering

Allison is from Johnston, Iowa

Allison is majoring in industrial engineering. Allison, will be a sophomore fall semester 2024. She came to campus as an undeclared student having excelled in English and the arts in high school. She had always loved singing and performing and upon arriving on campus was admitted into the honors program and joined the Gamma Phi Beta sorority. She also joined the Iowa State Singers and an Iowa State theater group appearing in several performances her freshman year. She indicates she wanted to get the most out of her college education and in considering options in which to major she noted that industrial engineering provided a widely applicable program of study focusing on helping people live better lives and a way for her to develop a whole new skillset. With the help of her advisor Devna Popejoy-Sheriff, professor Stephen Gilbert, and some new industrial engineering friends, she indicates she quickly found she enjoyed the creativity and problem-solving required of engineering and gained confidence in the decision she had made. During summer 2024, she undertook research with Professor Gilbert and continued to immerse myself in what Iowa State engineering offers. Fall semester 2024 she plans to become more involved in Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering (IMSE) and continue making connections in this field of work. She hopes to balance her academic studies with continued involvement in her music and theater activities as they provide a substantial positive impact in her life.

Amy Muilenburg

Chemical and Biological Engineering

Amy is from Collinsville, Illinois

Amy is majoring in chemical engineering. Amy will be a sophomore fall semester 2024. She notes that she chose to attend Iowa State University and pursue a degree in chemical engineering, as she wanted the opportunity to learn and achieve the same way her parents had done. After completing the first year of study for her degree, she notes that her passion for engineering has been solidified and encouraged. She indicates she does not yet know what field of specialization she wishes to pursue for her career, but knows she wants to be a part of something that changes the world in a positive way. In addition to her academic studies, Amy participated in on-campus church groups as well as the Iowa State University Choir and Department of Music and Theater. Choir and theater performances in which Amy participated included the Festival of Treble Voices and Treble Ensembles Fall Concert in which she sang Soprano.

Shun Quinlan

Electrical and Computer Engineering

Shun is from Parkville, Missouri

Shun is majoring in electrical engineering. Shun will be a sophomore fall semester 2024. She indicates that upon my arrival on campus, she was immediately aware that it was the place where she belonged. The staff’s patience and sincerity during orientation, as well as their willingness to address her numerous questions, reassured her that Iowa State was not merely a place to study, but a community that genuinely cares about its students. Her decision to pursue a degree in electrical engineering was influenced by her grandfather who was an engineer as well as her own extensive research and recognition of the potential this major possessed in the fields of renewable energy and power systems. Her passion for this discipline has also been influenced by the support and resources available in this discipline at Iowa State University. In addition to her academic pursuits, she has been active in campus life, participating in initiatives such as the Make to Innovate program, Chinese Language Club, and most recently becoming a member of the Good Earth Student Farm. She notes these experiences have enhanced her time at Iowa State and enabled her to cultivate abilities that extend beyond the classroom. She indicates that securing an Internship with EPI Power has been one of her most significant accomplishments and provided her with invaluable networking and educational opportunities. Following graduation, she plans to acquire experience in various environments in order to eventually establish her own engineering contracting firm specializing in electrical systems and circuit design.

Alaina Steffen

Mechanical Engineering

Alaina is from New Hartford, Iowa

Alaina is majoring in mechanical engineering. Alaina will be a junior fall semester 2024. She chose to study at Iowa State University because it is one of the most prestigious universities in the engineering field and was in her home state. The main reason she chose to major in mechanical engineering was because of her involvement in robotics in high school. After she joined the team her sophomore year of high school, she developed a passion for the design, problem-solving, and STEM elements of engineering. At Iowa State University she indicates she loves the beautiful campus, the talented professors and staff, the endless clubs and activities and the scholarship opportunities that have made a huge difference in her education. She has been selected as a participant in the Iowa State College of Engineering’s 2023-2024 Kiewit Scholars Program. Through the Kiewit Scholars Program, students receive financial support to cover their educational expenses at Iowa State University, are exposed to a range of opportunities that enable them to evolve into exceptional engineers, and have the opportunity to connect with Kiewit professionals, gaining valuable insights into industry. She spent the summer 2024 as an engineering intern at Kiewit Corporation in Lenexa, Kansas.

Outside of academics, she is active in student organizations including: Women in Science and Engineering (WiSE), Women in Mechanical Engineering (WiME), the Society of Women Engineers (SWE), and the Habitat for Humanity. She expects to graduate from Iowa State in 2027 and hopes to earn a position at an innovative mechanical design and engineering company and use her skills towards the company’s success. It is her goal to one day have a leadership role in her field and influence other women to pursue and thrive in STEM careers.

Margaret Sullivan

Electrical and Computer Engineering

Margaret is from Dubuque, Iowa

Margaret is majoring in software engineering with minors in data science and sociology. She will be a junior Fall semester 2024. In her junior year of high school, she indicates she enrolled in a computer science class and was quickly amazed by the seemingly limitless opportunities software provides and began coding in her free time. She decided to major in software engineering at Iowa State University because of this passion and the belief that technology can be utilized to make positive impacts in the world. Spring semester 2024 she indicates she became a TA for an introductory software engineering class and enjoyed helping students find the same passion for coding as her own.

In addition to academics, she is involved with the Society of Women Engineers (SWE) as the philanthropy chair. She notes that this position provided her the opportunity to contribute to cultivating a positive and inclusive culture for fellow female engineers on campus and give back to the local Ames community. Community involvement included a fundraiser hosted by SWE for the Ames YWCA to assist their program to help young women grow in confidence in a wide range of educational skills. She was also the Go Further Coordinator intern for the Women in Science and Engineering (WISE) program and helped plan a conference for middle school students to get exposed to a variety of STEM fields.

Following graduation, she indicates she is unsure of the specific career she wishes to pursue in the software engineering field. However, she wants to be employed somewhere that cultivates innovation and prioritizes ethical software development and help develop technology to improve accessibility and equity.

Kaiya Taylor

Industrial and Manufacturing Systems Engineering

Kaiya is from Robins, Iowa

Kaiya is majoring in industrial engineering minor in music. Kaiya will be a junior fall semester 2024. She chose industrial engineering because she was given the opportunity to take engineering classes in high school, and she enjoyed them. She chose a music minor because she has been playing piano for twelve years and clarinet for nine years. She indicates her first year at Iowa State was an amazing experience; she found her engineering courses to be very interesting and enjoyable and was able to play clarinet in the Iowa State University Symphonic Band and Clarinet Choir. During the spring semester 2024, she started doing research with Dr. Jakob Hamilton, working on improving the quality of metal lattice structures in additive manufacturing and will continue this research Fall semester 2024.

In addition to academics, she has joined several student organizations including the Advanced Manufacturing Club, for which she has been elected the outreach chair; the Iowa State University chapter of the Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers, as well as, Women in Science and Engineering and the Society of Women Engineers. She was also elected as treasurer of Fuller House and the sustainability coordinator for the Buchanan Hall Association.

Alvin Thomas

Electrical and Computer Engineering

Alvin is from ?

Alvin is majoring in software engineering. Alvin will be a sophomore fall semester 2024. Since he was young, Alvin has wanted to be a software engineer as he enjoys solving problems and being able to express himself through code. His long-term goal is to help people through the power of technology and wants to make the world a better place through his skills as a software engineer.

Abbey Vezina

Mechanical Engineering

Abbey is from Marion, Iowa

Abbey is majoring in mechanical engineering with a minor in sustainability. Abbey will be a sophomore fall semester 2024. As someone who is concerned about climate change and passionate about protecting the planet, she thought this major would best lead her to achieve her career goals. She hopes to one day work in a position researching and developing renewable energy sources or carbon capture technologies. During spring semester 2024, she did research on the removal of nitrates from agricultural drainage water through the Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering Department. During the summer 2024, she worked as an undergraduate research assistant studying biofuel production for the Bioeconomy Institute at Iowa State University and plans to continue in this position for the 2024-25 school year. She indicates getting involved in research that is related to her passions has been such a rewarding experience, she plans to continue doing research throughout her years as an undergraduate student.

Abby is also active in extracurricular activities. She is a member of Engineers for a Sustainable World and throughout her first year as a student assisted with designing and building a hydroponics system. She is also an avid member of the Iowa State Running Club and looks forward to being a mid-distance captain spring semester 2025, which will involve planning workouts and preparing the competitive team for track meets. Additionally, she plays alto saxophone in the Iowa State University Symphonic Band, where she gets to play music with fellow students on a weekly basis and perform in several concerts each semester.

Leah Newton (2023-24)

Aerospace Engineering

Leah is from West Salem, Wisconsin

Leah chose to attend Iowa State University as both of her parents were Iowa State graduates. But was not sure of a major. She eventually decided to study aerospace engineering, and after the past year, knows that she made the right choice. Her dream job following graduation is to work for NASA. She was on the Dean’s List both fall 2022 and spring 2023 and maintained a 4.0 GPA the entire year. She joined the STEM Scholars Program and the Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society and helped other students by serving as a calculus tutor.

Raina Pfeifer

Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering

Rania is from Coralville, Iowa.

Raina is majoring in biological systems engineering. She chose to attend Iowa State University because of the many options in what to study and the reputation as having great school spirit and alumni networks. She notes that she greatly enjoyed her first year at Iowa State. She was on the Dean’s List both fall 2022 and spring 2023 and following spring semester was classified as a Junior. She was a First-Year Honors Mentor Program Grant recipient. Under the direction of her faculty mentor: Michelle Soupir, she worked in the Water Quality Research Laboratory on a project exploring woodchip bioreactors. She presented her work at the Undergraduate Research Symposium at the end of spring semester. She joined a sorority and enjoyed taking on multiple leadership roles. She was also a member of the Presidents Leadership Class with President Wendy Wintersteen and Dr. Robert Waggoner which she indicates helped further her leadership skills and development as a student. When she graduates she plans to pursue a career in biosystems engineering and hopes to work with large corporations to create positive environmental changes.

Kenny Tran

Electrical and Computer Engineering

Kenny is from Johnston, Iowa

Kenny is majoring in computer engineer. He chose to attend Iowa State University since it is known for its great engineering programs and with in-state tuition was less expensive than studying outside of the state. Following graduation, he wants to work in industry developing faster electronics and hopes to be at the forefront of new developments and innovations. He was on the Dean’s List both fall 2022 and spring 2023 and following spring semester 2023 was classified as a Junior. In addition to academics, he was involved in Undergraduate Research through funding from the ISU First Year Honors Program. He is also a member of the Cosplay Club, PrISUm Solar Car Team, and Tir Asleen – the Medieval Combat Society

Morgan Yahr

Mechanical Engineering

Morgan is from Campbellsport, Wisconsin.

Morgan is majoring in Mechanical Engineering. She was on the Dean’s List both fall 2022 and spring 2023. In addition to academics, she is member of the Cyclone Power Pullers student organization which builds a market-ready quarter scale tractor every year and competes in events regarding pulling, maneuverability, durability, and defense of design. She enjoys working on CNC mills, lathes, and programming toolpaths and during 2023-24 she will be responsible for overseeing the machining and manufacturing of the new tractor. During summer 2023 she interned at Excel Engineering in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin in their Process Engineering department. She split her time in the liquid process division working with dairy products and cheeses and at the site of a new building construction project where she gained a better understanding of how design projects are implemented and how a processing plant works.

Joseph Zuercher

Mechanical Engineering

Joseph is from Sergeant Bluff, Iowa

Joseph is majoring in Mechanical Engineering. He was on the Dean’s List both fall 2022 and spring 2023 and at the end of the spring semester was classified as a Junior. He plans to work in the aerospace sector when he graduates.