Before Hillary Isebrands was an award-winning industry leader, saving lives with her work every day, she was a Cyclone.
Category: Alumni
Sales Engineering minor bridge to a sales career
Macie VanNurden’s (B.S. ’22, industrial engineering) first stop in her journey from Wisconsin to Los Angeles was at Iowa State University majoring in industrial engineering with a sales engineering minor.
This past July, VanNurden officially completed the program and rolled off as an outside sales engineer in Los Angeles, a place she’s always wanted to live and with a job that is much more customer-facing and dynamic.
“I have direct ownership of customer relationships and personal brand—it is almost entrepreneurial in that sense. I look forward to further developing my sales style and strategy while continuing to learn and serve in everything I do,” says VanNurden.
Melissa Boom: IE Alum Receives 2024 Women MAKE Award
For Boom it is important to spend time on being a positive role model for female employees. She mentors several female leaders at Winnebago Industries and is committed to the success of STEM programming for young students in high school.
Alumni spotlight: Morgan Ambourn innovating at Microsoft
“To me, being a Cyclone Engineer means believing in yourself to rise to a challenge, being willing to lean on others around you to learn from, and letting yourself enjoy the journey,” – Morgan Ambourn (BS ‘21, MS ‘22 CprE).
Senior Capstone Project Leads to Dream Job
Elizabeth (Belling) Krigbaum (B.S. ’22, industrial engineering) knew she wanted to transfer to study industrial engineering (IE) at Iowa State after attending Des Moines Area Community College.
“When the industrial engineering major was presented, it was like a light bulb went off in my head. To me, it was and has been the perfect fit for my interests and skills,” says Krigbaum, “My time at ISU was hands down my favorite years of school.”
Welcoming Philip Cox, new professor of practice in agricultural and biosystems engineering
Mechanical engineering undergraduate and graduate program alumnus and long-time John Deere teammate Philip Cox will be leading Capstone!
Allie (Harris) Millikan: From Cyclone Nation to Magic Kingdom
For Allie (Harris) Millikan (B.S. ’19 industrial engineering, concurrent MBA ’19), the industrial engineering (IE) road led from Cyclone Nation to Magic Kingdom.
“I have such incredible memories from our family Disney trips growing up. I couldn’t imagine a more magical place to work,” she says.
ABE Alum Spotlight: Emily DeJesu – conserving water, starting at ISU
Emily DeJesu graduated from Iowa State University in 2021 with a bachelor’s degree in Biological Systems Engineering (BSE). DeJesu grew up in the suburbs of Chicago and had a connection to Iowa State through her dad, with Iowa State being her dad’s alma mater. She always had a passion for the environment, math, and science which made BSE at ISU an easy educational choice.
ABE Alum Spotlight: Austin Lamphier – finding a passion for leadership and technology, starting at ISU
Austin Lamphier graduated from Iowa State University with a bachelor’s degree in industrial technology (ITec) in 2018. Originally from Center Point, Iowa, Lamphier had always connected with technology and engineering, which led him to apply to ISU.
Vanessa Calderon: There is always a better way
Finding ways to improve and positively impact the lives of patients, healthcare professionals, and the day-to-day experience of her colleagues is fulfilling for Vanessa Calderon (B.S. ’09, industrial engineering).
Calderon became interested in working in healthcare through her IE senior design capstone experience at the UnityPoint Health – Des Moines where she was later employed and became a Process Improvement Engineer.
ABE Alum Spotlight: Sarah Sievertsen – writing for engineers, starting at ISU
Sarah Sievertsen graduated from Iowa State University in 2014 with a bachelor’s degree in Agriculture Systems Technology (AST). Originally from northwest Alabama, Sievertsen had a passion for manure management and air quality in high school. She now works for GEA North America as a technical writer.
ABE Alum Spotlight: Jacob Bickett – engineering professionalism, starting at ISU
Jacob Bickett graduated from Iowa State University with a bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Engineering in the fall of 2020. He grew up in north central Illinois, farming row crops with his family. Combining his love for agriculture and knack for mathematics and mechanics, Bickett was bound for a career in agricultural engineering.
Blake Clark: Advancing the energy transition is exciting work
In Blake Clark’s world, everything revolves around improvement. But he also values impact. “It’s important to me that my work also provides a ‘good’ in society,” he says.
As Clark sees it, his role in the energy industry enables him to work towards providing affordable, reliable and cleaner energy for everyone.
ABE Alum Spotlight: Willow Griffith – innovating with precision, starting at ISU
Willow Griffith graduated from Iowa State University in 2018 with a bachelor’s degree in agriculture systems technology (AST). Now at the Climate LLC as a product manager, she has combined her love for agriculture and innovation to find a career she is passionate about.
Aerospace Engineering alumna, industry professional, aviation ambassador Vera Martinovich passes away
Vera Martinovich, an influential alumna of the Department of Aerospace Engineering, a member of the department’s Industrial Advisory Council (IAC) and a respected aviation professional, passed away April 17.