Raina Pfeifer: Outstanding senior in biological systems engineering

Clubs and activities

I have spent most of my time between my sorority, Gamma Phi Beta, my church community at St. Thomas Aquinas, and in the Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering department as a peer mentor. 

Valuable hands-on learning in class

ABE 4340 (Ecosystem Restoration Engineering) is a course that, combined with my capstone course, explores a real-world stream restoration project. This project has involved collaboration with landscape architecture students, meetings on-site with the town mayor and stakeholders, and creating technical designs that mirror those seen in the engineering and design fields. Being able to explore all of these aspects with support from two interdisciplinary professors has given me a view of how the design process works holistically in a true firm, all while having the freedom to be creative with the solutions presented.  

Valuable out-of-the-classroom experience

My honors project has become one of the most influential and valuable learning experiences I’ve had at Iowa State. With the goal of redesigning a local golf course to embrace the natural landscape and to manage water in an ecologically advantageous manner, a friend in the College of Design and I have been able to create a project that I never would have seen myself completing at the start of my time here. I have learned so much about the engineering design process by diving in deep on a project like this and have found such joy in working on a project with the potential to positively impact the environment around me. 

Most influential mentor

Dr. Sara McMillan has been incredibly influential. She taught both ABE 4310 (Design and Evaluation of Soil and Water Conservation Systems) and ABE 4340 (Ecosystem Restoration Engineering), which are two of the most applicable ecological engineering design courses to my future career and interests. She is also the supervisor for my honors project. Dr. McMillan has inspired the goals I have for my future career while encouraging and pushing fellow students and me to be creative and to understand all we possibly can about the field of ecological engineering. I feel I have become a more ambitious and curious student and future professional because of her leadership. 

Best memory/greatest accomplishment

My best memories at Iowa State are from the semesters that my sorority won Homecoming and Greek Week. Having won Homecoming twice and Greek Week once, the hours spent in the GPhi basement painting displays, practicing for tournaments, and learning our Yell Like Hell and Lip Sync routines feel incredibly rewarding. Through these experiences, I’ve grown closer with some of my now closest friends, and achieving something so special together has created memories I’ll always cherish. 

Plans after graduation

I will be returning to work for Shive-Hattery in their Water Resources Engineering group. My final internship was with Shive-Hattery this past summer, and I truly love the culture and work the company does.  

A memorable moment of kindness

While at Iowa State some of the greatest joys I’ve experienced come from time spent with my friends in Gamma Phi Beta. I have so many memories of girls going out of their way to show me they care about me and every moment of smiling and laughing inside the walls of that house will stay with me forever. I specifically think of the many nights of friends popping their heads in the doorframe of my room to quickly say hi, which would inevitably turn into hours of sitting and talking about our days and lives. These moments of kindness and love will stay with me far after I leave Ames and have shaped me into the woman I am today. 

Persevering through challenging times

I came into my freshman year with two minors and a major that are all completely different from my current programs. I remember feeling lost in my classes and not knowing if I could see myself ever enjoying the topics I was studying for the rest of my career. I found biological systems engineering later that semester and never looked back. Engineering is hard, but with the support I have experienced from my advisors and classmates I have been able to overcome any tough classes or hard semesters with more knowledge than I entered with and with my engineering friends by my side. 

Your major in your own words

Biological systems engineering is a program that encompasses many applications of how engineers can use principles of biology to create and optimize ecological, food, and countless other processes. 

Making my mark on the world

As an engineer, my main goal is to make the earth a better place. I hope to create solutions to ecological problems that help the environment while helping create areas where those interacting with the projects can see the beauty of the outdoors more closely. By creating healthier ecosystems and promoting recreation we can see communities appreciate their surroundings in incredible ways. 

Engineering like a Cyclone Engineer

Being a Cyclone Engineer means being creative and leaning on your support systems. At Iowa State, I have experienced countless opportunities to expand my comfort zone and to be creative in designing solutions to the problems we see around us. These challenges and successes never come alone. Iowa State engineering is made whole by the support and encouragement we all get from professors, faculty, and peers and there is certainly no place like it. 

What I’d tell my younger self about Iowa State

I would tell a younger Raina that choosing to come to Iowa State was one of the best choices she could have made. I have gained so much in my four years here that I never could have imagined as a senior in high school. I’ve met friends I will keep for life, grown in my faith because of the incredible community here, and am leaving with memories that I will reminisce on for years to come. I am a better person because of Iowa State, and I could not imagine my life without my time as a Cyclone Engineer. 

Most inspiring location on campus

I feel most inspired as a Cyclone Engineer when sitting in the atrium of Sukup Hall. Over my four years I have spent so many hours around tables here with classmates and friends studying, chatting, and laughing. The conversations had here have made me a better student and person and when I think of my college years, I think of the Sukup Atrium first. Having a space for students that is so surrounded by innovation makes it impossible to not be inspired every time you walk in the front doors.