Editor’s note: Throughout the past academic year, Iowa Now has published numerous profiles on University of Iowa students under the banner of “The Student Experience.” This series showcases University of Iowa students who excel academically—inside and outside the classroom.
Several of our profile subjects are graduating this month, including Alex Zeppieri, whom we just featured today. We reached out to previously featured students to find out where they are heading after graduation. Below you’ll find updates and links to the previously published content.
Hometown: Lehigh, Iowa
Area of study: Sociology (criminology track)
Two years after leading a team of 17 Marines in Afghanistan, Suhrbier began leading his fellow veterans to success at the University of Iowa. He used the time management and communication skills he picked up during his service to connect veterans across campus and help guide them academically as president of the University of Iowa Veterans Association.
Update: After graduation in May, Suhrbier will be working as Absence Management Team Lead at Sedgwick Insurance in Coralville, Iowa.
Original story: President of UIVA creates sense of community for student veterans
Hometown: West Des Moines, Iowa
Area of study: Biomedical engineering
The University of Iowa senior and biomedical engineering major has worked in two faculty research laboratories, helped teach an engineering class to her peers, volunteers at UI Hospitals and Clinics, interprets for native Spanish speakers at mobile medical clinics in eastern Iowa, and occupies center stage in an a cappella group that mashes American pop music and Indian Bollywood.
Update: In January, Undurty indicated she had been applying to medical schools, including the University of Iowa, with plans to be a pediatric physician. This fall, Undurty will start her medical training…here at the University of Iowa.
Original story: Biomedical engineering student was quick to impress in research labs
Hometown: Lawler, Iowa
Areas of study: Marketing and management
Since arriving on campus, Hackman has hit the ground running. He is a fixture on the Dean’s List and President’s List, and has gained real-world experience through his involvement with the Marketing Institute, a three-semester program for the top 15 undergraduate students in the UI Henry B. Tippie College of Business.
Update: Hackman has accepted a full-time position as a marketing coordinator at Prositions, a rapidly growing start-up that provides human resources solutions to better attract, develop, and retain an organization’s talent. The office is located in Urbandale, Iowa, and he’s starting on June 15. He says he couldn’t be more excited to begin the next chapter of his life and kick-start his professional career.
Original story: Marketing and management major from Lawler learning real-world lessons for the future
Hometown: Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Areas of study: Industrial engineering, global health studies, business administration
During her first semester, Kindig met with H.S. (Uday) Udaykumar, professor of mechanical and industrial engineering in the UI College of Engineering, enrolled in his class, and traveled to northwestern India. Once there, she and her classmates built a small solar cooker and demonstrated it to local villagers. She returned to India this past winter—this time as Udaykumar’s research assistant on a project funded by the UI Center for Global and Regional Environmental Research.
Update: Kindig has received a 2015 Gates Cambridge Scholarship to attend the University of Cambridge, England. Kindig, who conducted independent research on alternative cooking technologies in rural India and Cameroon as a UI undergraduate, plans to continue her exploration of sustainable product design in the University of Cambridge’s Engineering for Sustainable Development program.
Original story: Cedar Rapids engineering major develops solar stoves in India
Hometown: Des Moines, Iowa
Areas of study: Journalism/mass communication, political science, entrepreneurship
Journalism was always on Carr’s radar, but it wasn’t a slam-dunk career choice straight away. But a friend invited Carr to join the UI chapter of the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ), and she had her pivotal moment toward journalism. Before long, she was involved with a new public affairs program, Perspectives, worked on Daily Iowan TV, and landed an internship with KCCI, the Des Moines-based CBS affiliate.
Update: Carr is conducting a nationwide search for broadcasting jobs. She plans to take advantage of this transitional time by traveling, spending time with friends and family, and, of course, beginning her professional career in broadcast journalism.
Original story: Involvement at Iowa brings journalism career into focus
Hometown: Waverly, Iowa
Area of study: Biochemistry, pre-medicine
When Young came to the University of Iowa four years ago, it was an easy choice to major in biochemistry and pre-med. Young started working as a research assistant under biochemistry professor Lori Wallrath, studying the genetic mutations that cause muscular dystrophy. They study the mutations in fruit flies, because the insects are genetically similar to humans. Young will be a co-author on an article the lab hopes to soon publish, which could lead to future treatments for patients living with muscular dystrophy.
Update: Young, who is graduating with “University Honors with Highest Distinction,” will either enter medical school or work in a research job following graduation.
Original story: Lifelong yearning to help people continues through lab research, volunteerism
