College of Engineering News • Iowa State University

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.

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: 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.

ISU graduate’s engineering expertise helps patients recover from brain injuries

For Cassandra Swacker, engineering is a way to help people.

Majoring in mechanical engineering and minoring in biomedical engineering at Iowa State University equipped Swacker with the skills to design and manufacture personalized utensils and devices for people with traumatic brain injuries.

Kejin Wang: Elevating the world of engineering and inspiring future generations

Kejin Wang, professor in construction engineering, says doing what you love is the key to success. Her unwavering passion for her field has earned her the title of distinguished professor, the first woman to ever receive this honor in the Department of Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering.

Seeing your work, work: Jenny Herrera turns ideas into impact as Weitz project manager

Herrera’s first project out of college (civil engineering ‘16) was no small feat. Starting as a project engineer at The Weitz Company and now as a project manager, Herrera has been turning ideas into impacts for over seven years. And her favorite part? Seeing it all come together and work.

Nazik Çıtır: Paving paths of innovation and inspiration in transportation

Nazik Çıtır, doctoral candidate in civil engineering working with the Institute for Transportation, has pretty much always been an engineer in the making. As a child, Çıtır always seemed to be problem-solving with one big goal in mind: helping the world be a better place for all.

Brittini Brown: “Iowa State served as a launchpad for me in discovering that my education was my own and I could take the reins”

Going into graduate school, Brittini Brown was ready for an adventure unlike any other adventure she had before. And a new adventure was exactly what she had as a grad student in the Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering

Madalyn Moline: A power and machinery engineer following a dream to improve ag systems and make a difference

Madalyn Moline has always been one to trailblaze new paths and follow her dreams no matter what others might say. Now, she is a sophomore in agricultural engineering with a power and machinery focus. Moline has a drive to not only create more efficient and sustainable agricultural methods, but to inspire others that want to pursue engineering, as well.

“Engineering” student success: Emily Roberts expands her influence as new Student Government president

Emily Roberts is focused on earning a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering – but her own success is not the only thing on her agenda. She’ll also be working hard to represent her fellow Iowa State undergraduates as the newly-elected president of Iowa State University Student Government.

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