Clubs and activities
- Undergraduate Researcher in the Icing Research Tunnel Laboratory
- Undergraduate Researcher for the AABL wind tunnel
- Undergraduate Research Ambassador
- Various intramural sports (disc golf, bowling, billiards, curling, sand volleyball, flag football)
- Disc Golf Club
Valuable hands-on learning in class
Aerospace Engineering Senior Design: We are tasked with prototyping a VTOL capable small unmanned aerial system. I led the controls aspect of the project, but also got hands-on experience in the aerodynamics, manufacturing, and business sides of the project. It has been the most enjoyable and instructive experience I have had at ISU because it provides a chance to work in a team setting towards a goal that is directly centered around my career interest. Being able to apply what I have learned over four years at Iowa State to a meaningful project has been very fulfilling, especially when we perform test flights and our built aircraft actually is capable of flight.
Valuable out-of-the-classroom experience
My co-op at Collins Aerospace as a Systems Engineer: This experience provided me with real-world engineering practice and was a nice step away from the classroom. While I don’t apply a lot of my true aerospace studies to my systems role, I do apply the basics of being an engineer (problem solving). This experience showed me that I can excel outside my direct engineering discipline.
Most influential mentor
Up until I ended my time as an Undergraduate Research Ambassador, Svitlana Zbarska, who was then the Iowa State undergraduate research coordinator, was my most influential mentor. She taught me how to maximize my time at Iowa State by building my resume with academic research and finding avenues to utilize my summers early-on. She was a great mentor to talk about academic goals and opportunities as well as career goals and opportunities.
After I ended my time as a URA, Travis Grager, associate teaching professor of aerospace engineering, has been my most influential mentor. I worked by Professor Grager on the AABL research project, and he has been my instructor for AERE 261, 461, and 462. I have not had another professor at Iowa State who demonstrates how much he truly cares for the well-being and success of his students. In AERE 261, Professor Grager molded his class from constant student feedback to provide the best learning environment for his students. In AERE 461 and 462, Professor Grager has been extremely insightful, helpful, and understanding with anything that myself or my group has come to him with. Part of the reason I want to still be an aerospace engineer is because of the work that Professor Grager has done and continues to do.
Best memory/greatest accomplishment
My greatest accomplishment and best memory is when our senior design aircraft was able to VTOL off of the ground and attempt horizontal flight. This moment was the culmination of all the hard work my group and I have done over two semesters of senior design, and really over four years as aerospace engineering undergrads. The joy and satisfaction we all felt was immense because it was finally proof that we can do this job and do it well. It was also great to share the experience with people I now consider very close friends.
Plans after graduation
I will work as a Systems Engineer at Collins Aerospace.
Engineering like a Cyclone Engineer
I think that engineering like a Cyclone Engineer is solving the problem to completion. Being a Cyclone means not giving up when hardships come along. It means doing something accurately and the right way. It means being proud of your studies; using your resources, knowledge, and abilities; and seeking out collaboration and help when needed. It means leaning on others when you have to and being there for them when they need you.
What I’d tell my younger self about Iowa State
I would tell myself to not overthink it and choose to be a Cyclone. The experiences that I have gained here are not priceless (because getting an education is an investment), but they have molded me into who I am today. I would not be the same student or soon-to-be-engineer without becoming a Cyclone. Also, I would not trade the relationships I have made here for anything.
Most inspiring location on campus
The Student Innovation Center: The building screams innovation everywhere from the labs to the architecture to the students within it.