Academic Skills Coaching Team

Background: I earned my Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering and worked for a couple of years on construction sites as a geotechnical engineer. I returned to school for my Master's degree in Teaching and served as a high school Math and Engineering teacher for four years. I love that my role at Iowa State allows me to draw on my background to help students have a more successful college experience!

Advice: Find out what a productive study space looks like for you. Then be intentional about creating that space to get yourself in the right mindset for learning and getting schoolwork done.

Classification: Graduate

Program: PhD in Psychology

Background: 

Advice: 

Classification: Senior

Major: Industrial Design

About: I’m happiest when I am outside and with my dog. I love hammocking, hiking, and being in nature. A goal of mine is to visit all the US National Parks. I love travel and aviation and am a Private Pilot. 

Advice: Making time for a good night’s sleep will make such a positive difference in your life as a student!

Classification: Senior

Majors: Biology, Music

Hobbies: I think my biggest hobby is trying new hobbies, especially anything creative. I've tried knitting, crochet, pottery, Dungeons and Dragons, lifting, learning various instruments, writing fiction, scrapbooking, video editing, pickleball, baking, cooking, and many, many other things. My newest hobbies include cooking Indian cuisine and baking breakfast-adjacent desserts (like scones and cinnamon rolls).

Advice: Develop good habits early. It might seem unnecessary now for you to divide up your homework throughout the week when you can just lock in on Saturday and get it all done, but when you're in your senior year and all your classes are 3000-4000 level, you'll thank yourself for learning how to manage your time back when academics weren't as difficult.

Classification: Senior

Majors: Supply Chain Management, International Business

Minor: Political Science

Hobby: I love spending time with friends and family and doing anything involving nature and travel! In the summer, I enjoy time at the lake, water sports, and pickleball. In the winter, I love snowboarding and snowmobiling. 

Advice: It's all about balance, make sure to set aside time for something you enjoy!

Classification: Senior

Major: History

Identities: Iowa National Guard, Army ROTC

Hobbies: When I have free time, I am doing one of three things: working out, watching a movie, and hanging out with friends. My favorite movies are Miracle and Good Will Hunting. When I am with my friends, we are either arguing about sports or movies.

Advice: Don't be afraid to try new things. Most of regret comes from saying no.

Classification: Senior

Major: Genetics 

Minor: Ethics

Identities: First-generation student, multicultural, neurodivergent, Type-A and extroverted. 

Hobby: Bullet journaling, organizing, cooking, hammocking, and calligraphy. 

Advice: Your mindset is more powerful than you think.

Classification: Sophomore

Major: Genetics

About Me: I love reading, especially rom-coms! I love relaxing by watching TV or playing games with friends and family, as well as coloring or journaling to decompress. I'm also a Pi Beta Phi on campus! 

Advice: Taking care of yourself is the most important part of being successful!

Classification: Junior

Major: Elementary Education

Identities: First-generation student

Hobby: I love to crochet, watch Netflix (Greys Anatomy or The Sopranos), and work out! I have also started to read while hammocking during my free time. One of my favorite things is spending time with friends and family while playing board games.

Advice: College can be a challenging and humbling experience. Remember that everyone around you is probably going through some of the same struggles, and you are not alone. Don't let your mind become your biggest enemy; remember how hard you worked to get where you are today.

Classification: Senior

Major:  Agricultural and Rural Policy Studies & Political Science

Hobby: Reading, pop culture, organization, writing, and public speaking

Advice:  Scheduling out my time and assignments before the week begins makes life way less stressful!

Classification: Junior

Major: Psychology

Minor: Biology

About Me: I enjoy reading, drinking coffee, and spending most of my time with friends. As an international student, I love to travel and explore new places (especially cafes and restaurants). My bank account unfortunately suffers the weight of my fondness for food and clothes. I also love dancing and am a member of a dance club at ISU!

Advice: College can be the best and the worst all in one day, just be nice to yourself through it all, you’re trying your best, just allow yourself room to grow!

Classification: Junior

Major: Biology

Hobbies: I enjoy lifting weights, playing videogames, and reading fantasy and sci-fi books. On the weekends you can find me catching up on my favorite shows and spending time with friends. My latest obsession has been baking sourdough loaves to varying degrees of success.

Advice: Surround yourself with other people that make schoolwork a top priority. Being around other folks that want to do well makes it easier to hold yourself to a high academic standard.