Keegan Kullberg: Outstanding senior in environmental engineering

Clubs and activities

Chi Epsilon Honor Society

Valuable hands-on learning in class

The most valuable hands-on learning opportunity I have had was participating in the WERC Environmental Design Contest for my senior capstone course. My team and I were tasked with designing a post-wildfire flood mitigation system to reduce flow and sediment in the runoff water. Through collaboration, effective communication, innovation, and problem-solving, our team successfully traveled to New Mexico and secured two awards. Our paper is now published in the IEEE Xplore database as a testament to the dedication our team put in. The project allowed me to gain real-world experience on problems that engineers solve every day and work in a team setting.

Valuable out-of-the-classroom experience

My most valuable hands-on experience outside the classroom was when I studied abroad in Valencia, Spain, and interned at MasQueIngenieros. I combined my two majors, environmental engineering and Spanish, and worked on the development of solar panel fields in accordance with local and federal regulations. I gained valuable experience in QGIS, regulation compliance, problem-solving, and communication in my second language.

Most influential mentor

I first met Dr. Antonio Arenas when I conducted undergraduate research on wastewater at the Des Moines treatment plant, examining how flooding events impact water quality. Then, I took CE 3720 Hydrology and Hydraulics, which Dr. Arenas was teaching, and it got me hooked on the movement of water. Dr. Arenas is a great teacher and leader; he makes doing complex engineering problems enjoyable and rewarding.

Best memory/greatest accomplishment

My favorite memory of Iowa State is when my friends and I camped out the night before the Kansas vs. Iowa State basketball game. The day before, the basketball players and Coach T.J. Otzelberger were outside, passing out burgers and hot dogs to all the students waiting in their tents. Once the gameday finally arrived, Iowa State won, and we were able to storm the court. Making the most of my time outside the classroom made attending Iowa State some of the most rewarding and memorable years of my life.

Plans after graduation

Following graduation, I will be working as a surface water graduate engineer at ISG Inc.

Persevering through challenging times

A moment when I wasn’t sure if engineering was right for me was when I didn’t do so well on a statics exam. After I received the exam back and saw my grade, I was confused and unsure of what to do next. However, with the guidance of my professor during help hours on how to improve moving forward, I was able to make a great comeback.

Making my mark on the world

I aim to have a positive impact on the communities I work with by providing them with better crop yields through effective drainage systems, while also improving the water quality of field runoff to benefit the world around us.

Engineering like a Cyclone Engineer

At Iowa State, there are so many ways you can get involved to become a better engineer, whether that be through research, clubs, or even studying abroad. They will all help make you a more well-rounded and experienced engineer ready to take on the problems you’ll face after graduation.

What I’d tell my younger self about Iowa State

I would tell my younger self that “you get out what you put in.” The more you put yourself out there, talk with classmates and professors, join that club you have been thinking of joining, or go to that football game on Saturday, the more enjoyable it will be. So be adventurous and try something new. You never know what will come your way.

Most inspiring location on campus

I feel inspired as a Cyclone Engineer when I’m at the Student Innovation Center. My favorite spot is on the fourth floor, where you can overlook the entire campus, making it great for study breaks.