Mercedes Browder

Electrical and Computer Engineering

Mercedes is from Chesterfield, Missouri.

Mercedes is majoring in Electrical Engineering and during her freshman year enjoyed being on Iowa State’s large and active campus. She chose to live in a learning community with a group of women who were also aspiring engineers where its members frequently collaborated and worked together on projects. During the summer of 2023 she participated in a study abroad program in Germany, taking courses in differential equations and technology and innovation management. She enjoyed this program because it allowed her to see a lot of different perspectives and how others live and work. She believes this experience, which offered her unique ideas, will make her a better engineer.

She was on the Dean’s List fall 2022 and spring 2023. For the coming year she has been elected to serve as the Treasurer of Rowe House in Helser Hall. She plans to graduate in the Spring of 2026 and hopes to work as an engineer for a global company as part of a team that develops new technology that improves the world.

Emma Buhl

Mechanical Engineering

Emma is from Muskego, Wisconsin

Emma chose to attend Iowa State University because of its excellent mechanical engineering program and opportunities to make friends and meet professors. She indicates she enjoys the beauty of the Iowa State campus and tries to be outside as much as possible. Fall semester 2022 she joined a learning community for mechanical engineering students where she met others, who are now her best friends. Together they studied at the library and got food every day at the dining halls. Fall 2023 they plan to live together. She was on the Dean’s List both fall 2022 and spring 2023 and following spring semester was classified as a Junior. In addition to academics, she is active in both the Program for Women in Science and Engineering (WISE) and Women in Mechanical Engineering (WiME). She indicates these clubs allow her to connect to other women in engineering which helps her feel guided and assisted. After graduation she hopes to have a successful career in industry as a mechanical engineer.

Parnika Dasgupta

Electrical and Computer Engineering

Parnika is from India.

Parnika is majoring in Computer Engineering. She chose to study at Iowa State University because of its excellent Computer Engineering program and being known for its beautiful campus and warm people. She was the recipient of the Dean’s Scholarship and the Engineering Student Program Support – Incoming International Merit Scholarship, which made it easier for she and my family to pay for tuition. Everything combined, she indicates she is very happy with the decision she made.

Kallin Davies

Materials Science and Engineering

Kallin is from Mukwonago, Wisconsin.

Kallin is specializing on polymers within Materials Science and Engineering. He chose to attend Iowa State University because of the great reputation of the College of Engineering, as well as the welcoming and supportive community in Ames. He was on the Dean’s List both fall 2022 and spring 2023, maintaining a 4.0 grade point average. In addition to academics, he is an active member of the Iowa State Tennis Club. He indicates he enjoys being at Iowa State and plans to continue graduate studies at the university when he finishes his undergraduate degree, He would like to work in research of polymeric materials.

Alexis Feeney

Electrical and Computer Engineering

Alexis is from Morristown, New Jersey.

Within Electrical and Computer Engineering Alexis is planning to major in Software Engineering with a minor in Cybersecurity. She was on the Dean’s List both fall 2022 and spring 2023. In addition to academics, she has been involved with Solar Car, Baking Club, and Engineering Without Borders. She indicates these activities have helped her meet new people and apply her skills outside of the classroom, enhancing her learning experience at Iowa State. Following graduation, she plans to pursue a career in Web Development

Oluwagbemiga Felix-Aremo

Aerospace Engineering

Oluwagbemiga is from ?

Oluwagbemiga is majoring in Aerospace Engineering. He came to Iowa State University as a Visiting Undergraduate through the University’s Academic Program for EXcellence – Engineering (APEX-E). He was on the Dean’s List both fall 2022 and spring 2023. In addition to academics, he is a member of ISU Table Tennis Club.

Grace Finger

Electrical and Computer Engineering

Grace is from Eldora, Iowa.

Grace is majoring in Computer Engineering. She decided to attend Iowa State because it was close to her family, and because she knew it to be one of the best engineering schools in the nation. She decided to major in Computer Engineering because she believes that the future will revolve around computers and technology and having a degree in this major will provide many opportunities for her. She also finds logic and math to be fascinating and knew that Computer Engineering would be perfect fit for her. After graduation, she plans to work for a software development company or an animation studio and continue to improve her skills and abilities. Her goal in life is to become an overseas missionary combining her engineering knowledge with her religious beliefs to help people around the world.

Grace and her family were originally from Arvada, Colorado, but they lived in Eldora, Iowa for seven years prior to her coming to Iowa State. In addition to academics, during her freshman year she got very involved in Engineers Without Borders, the engineering club focused on international outreach. She is the Website Chair and member of the Clinic Electrical Team focused on improving the electrical components of the clinic being built in the partner city, Ullo, Ghana. She will be traveling to Ghana on the club’s team mission in December 2023 – January 2024 to assess progress in Ghana and get on-site work done. She is also involved in the Salt Company, a campus ministry through Cornerstone Church in Ames participating weekly in Connection Group meetings and Salt on Thursday nights. During the 2023-24 school year she will be a Salt Leader, with her own Connection Group of freshman girls. Among the accomplishments during her first year at Iowa State, Grace was on the Dean’s List both fall 2022 and spring 2023, maintaining a 4.0 grade point average. She was also recipient of the Freshman Leaders in Engineering’s Outstanding Freshman Award for Engineers Without Borders.

Ava Fischer

Electrical and Computer Engineering

Ava is from Altoona, Iowa.

Ava is majoring in Computer Engineering with a goal of becoming a well-rounded engineer. She was on the Dean’s List both fall 2022 and spring 2023 and will begin fall semester 2023 classified as a junior. During the summer 2023 she worked as a design engineering intern at Emerson’s Innovation Center in Marshalltown, Iowa. In addition to excelling in the classroom, she is involved with the university’s solar car team leading two circuit design projects during the past academic year. She is also serving on the cabinet of the Society of Women Engineers as Career Development Chair, which she indicates has allowed her to further develop her communication and organization skills while connecting with an incredible community of women striving to become leaders in engineering.

Sullivan Flynn

Chemical and Biological Engineering

Sullivan is from Scotch Grove, Iowa

Sullivan indicated that he thoroughly enjoyed his first year at Iowa State as a chemical engineering major, and looks forward to all of the classes, opportunities, and connections that he plans to make during his undergrad years. He was on the Dean’s List both fall 2022 and spring 2023. In addition to academics, he is a member of the Iowa Statesmen, the Iowa State University men’s choir. He is also active in the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE) and the Engineering Ambassadors Network (EAN). Within AIChE, he coordinated student members and himself to volunteer at STEM events with K-12 schools in the Ames area; within EAN, he co-presented over a dozen presentations about STEM topics (on and off campus), with the focus on excitement, engagement, and creative thinking. He indicates that through these events, he has found a passion in teaching and growing others, which has vastly changed his outlook on life. For the 2023 -24 school year he will serve on the cabinet of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers as Outreach Chair.

Grace Gilsdorf

Aerospace Engineering

Grace is from Saint Paul, Minnesota

Grace is studying aerospace engineering, She was on the Dean’s List both fall 2022 and spring 2023 and has maintained a 4.0 GPA through her first two semesters. She hopes to graduate in May of 2026, after which has plans to pursue a career, that complements her major and uses the knowledge, skills, and experience gained to help further her chosen field.

Ellen Halbur

Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering

Ellen is from Sioux City, Iowa

Ellen is currently majoring in biological systems engineering. She was on the Dean’s List both fall 2022 and spring 2023, maintaining a 4.0 grade point average. She chose to study biological systems engineering because of her love for biology, math, and physics. She is active in her sorority, the Biological Systems Engineering Club, and intramural sports. While engineering is her passion, she is still unsure if biological systems engineering is the correct career path for her and is considering switching to the newly established biomedical engineering or another field.

Reilly Healey

Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering

Reilly is from Papillion, Nebraska.

Reilly is majoring in civil engineering. She chose to study at Iowa State University because of the excellent engineering programs offered and the civil engineering program is one of the best in the country. She was on the Dean’s List both fall 2022 and spring 2023 and is currently classified as a Junior. She greatly appreciated that during her first year she had the opportunity to explore the opportunities found in the field of civil engineering to improve the sustainability of individual’s lives through infrastructures by conducting undergraduate research. She was selected by the CCEE department to participate in research that focused on the application of eye tracking technology in civil engineering projects, which has allowed her to operate and master a technology that will be extremely useful as a civil engineer and set her apart from other engineers in her field. She will continue this research in the fall 2023 semester, being one of only ten students in the department chosen to be a paid undergraduate research assistant. Spring semester 2024 she plans to study abroad in Ireland at the University of Limerick which she hopes will broaden her horizons as both an engineer and a person and allow her to learn ways in which engineers work and people live in different parts of the world. When she graduates she hopes to leave Iowa State as a more experienced engineer with both the desire and knowledge to change the world through innovation.

Elise Henrichsen

Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering

Elise is from Des Moines, Iowa

Elise is majoring in agricultural engineering. She was on the Dean’s List both fall 2022 and spring 2023. In addition to her course work, she was involved in research with the Water Quality Research Lab at Iowa State during the year and continued to work there over the summer 2023. She appreciated that participation in the research lab gave her experiences outside the typical classroom environment and that she learned important methodology in developing, running, and presenting a research experiment, The research experience also gave her insight into the condition of Iowa’s natural resources and the practices that required improvement. When she receives her degree she hopes go on to improve Iowa’s agricultural practices, particularly when it comes to water quality.

Shanna Kleve

Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering

Shanna is from Independence, Iowa.

Shana is majoring in construction engineering. She was on the Dean’s List both fall 2022 and spring 2023. Fall semester 2023 she plans to be an active leader in the College of Engineering and has accepted a Teaching Assistant position for engineering problem solving (CE 160). She also plans to be active in the Women in Science and Engineering (WiSE) on campus as well as becoming more involved in engineering related student organizations. When she graduates she hopes to get a engineering related position in a construction company.

Amanda Kufner

Industrial and Manufacturing Systems Engineering

Amanda is from Lino Lakes, Minnesota

Amanda is majoring in Industrial Engineering. She chose to come to Iowa State because of its welcoming and beautiful campus and cannot imagine herself anywhere else. She chose to pursue a degree in industrial engineering because of how engaging the staff in the IMSE department are and because she is excited about the future career path this degree will provide. Following graduation, she hopes to work in the food manufacturing industry. She was on the Dean’s List both fall 2022 and spring 2023. Outside academics, she is active in Engineering Without Borders, assisting in a project to provide clean water, food, restrooms, and healthcare to the city of Ullo, Ghana. She is also an active member of WISE – Women in Science and Engineering..

Alex Ling

Mechanical Engineering

Alex is from Olathe, Kansas

Alex is majoring in mechanical engineering with a biomedical minor. He chose to attend Iowa State University because of its great engineering school, friendly and helpful people, beautiful campus and the amazing climate in Iowa. He was on the Dean’s List both fall 2022 and spring 2023 and following spring semester was classified as a Junior. In addition to academics, he participated in the engineering sales club, Iowa State lifting club and hall council for Geoffroy Hall, where he has been elected President of Berry House. After receiving his undergraduate degree, he plans to get a master’s in business administration. Following graduation, he would like to work in medical device sales as this field has interested him his whole life.

Joel McCleary

Mechanical Engineering

Joel is from Ankeny, Iowa.

Joel is majoring in mechanical engineering. He was on the Dean’s List both fall 2022 and spring 2023 and following spring semester was classified as a Junior. In addition to academics, he was employed as an undergraduate research assistant at the Virtual Reality Applications Center (VRAC). He is also a member of ISU’s SAE Baja team, a student organization that designs, builds, tests, and races an all-terrain vehicle that competes against over 150 universities from around the world.

Suryansh Mishra

Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering

Suryansh is from Maryland Heights, Missouri.

Suryansh is majoring in environmental engineering and plans to pursue a master’s degree after completing his undergraduate studies. He was on the Dean’s List both fall 2022 and spring 2023 and following spring semester was classified as a Junior. In addition to his academic studies, he is a member of the President’s Leadership Class; the Honors Student Board, where he serves as Philanthropy Co-Chair; and State Storm, which is part of the Cyclone Marching Band, where he plays piccolo. In his free time, he likes producing music, reading, playing water polo and table tennis, and conversing.

Margaret Nedved

Chemical and Biological Engineering

Margaret is from Coal Valley, Illinois

Margaret is majoring in chemical engineering. She indicates she has found Iowa State to be a welcoming place which has come to feel like my home away from home. She chose to study chemical engineering due to her love of chemistry and math. Her favorite part about the chemical engineering program is the problem-solving skills it requires and the challenges it poses. She was on the Dean’s List for both the fall 2022 and Spring 2023and maintained a 4.00 GPA. During the summer 2023 she interned at John Deere in Moline, Illinois, and enjoyed being able to spend time with her family. In addition to academics, she is a member of the ISU Symphony Orchestra, in which she plays the viola. She is also active in the St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church. During the past year she was elected to serve as vice president of her residence Young house in Maple Hall.

Leah Newton

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.