University of Iowa

More than 7,100 undergraduate students at the University of Iowa were named to the dean's list for the 2023 spring semester.

In May more than 6,500 University of Iowa undergraduate, graduate, and professional students received their degrees. These Hawkeyes have engaged, excelled, and stretched to reach their goals.

Get to know a handful of stylish University of Iowa creators and trendsetters who are helping to shape the fashion scene in Iowa City.

More than 100 current University of Iowa students to participate in the 2023 Spring Undergraduate Research Festival, an event staged annually by the Iowa Center for Research by Undergraduates.

23 students enrolled in the Henry B. Tippie College of Business at the University of Iowa recently received annual awards presented by the Department of Accounting.

Valeria Cota is a first-generation college student from a large family, most of whom live in either Iowa or Mexico. She's also completing her fourth year as a graduate student in Associate Professor Nicole Brogden's lab, which focuses on the use of microneedles to improve drug delivery through the skin. Notably, Cota is a recipient of a three-year National Institutes of Health (NIH) Kirschstein National Research Service Award Pre-Doctoral F31 Fellowship - an "extremely prestigious award and notoriously challenging to get," according to Brogden, Cota's major professor.

Alan Carrillo, a doctoral candidate in Art History and recipient of the Graduate College's Post-Comprehensive Research Fellowship, uses digital modeling to reconstruct seminal medieval architecture lost to time. It was his interest in the Middle Ages that brought him into the field of Art History.

19 students will address their peers as they fill the role of student speaker at the University of Iowa's various spring 2023 commencement events. These campus leaders share their thoughts on this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. More than 5,400 University of Iowa students will receive their degrees during in-person and livestreamed commencement ceremonies, beginning with the College of Pharmacy's Doctor of Pharmacy ceremony May 11 and concluding with the College of Dentistry's ceremony June 2. Other ceremonies will take place between May 11 and May 20.

During her academic career, college professors repeatedly told Kimberly Fiock that she would not become a scientist because of stereotypes surrounding her bipolar disorder. She was not intelligent enough to hold down a stable job. She would be difficult to work with because of her temperament. All these misconceptions motivated Fiock to prove everyone wrong.

Fourteen University of Iowa students and alumni were chosen from about 10,000 Fulbright Award applicants nationwide to serve as representatives of the U.S. Department of State in 11 countries during the 2023-24 academic year. The students will teach English abroad, serve in local community organizations, enroll in graduate studies at cutting-edge universities, and conduct research.

When Summer Choi arrived at the University of Iowa, she didn't know anyone. Now, she has made so many friends and connections in Iowa that she'd love to stick around. Choi's circle undoubtedly grew through her involvement: president of Delta Phi Lambda Sorority; member of the Multicultural Greek Council; intern in web design at the Iowa City Public Library and in UI Information Technology Services.

The COVID-19 pandemic created numerous challenges for college students. And while that certainly was the case for John Dickens, it also led him to his next step in life. Dickens will graduate with a master's degree with an emphasis in policy and focus his research on rural public health needs.

Ryan Longenecker describes himself as deeply invested in politics. His experiences as a University of Iowa student-time in student government, the internships he was able to hold on campus and with political campaigns-have sharpened his skills, broadened his network, and given him the confidence to make a difference in the next election cycle. "I feel set to go after graduation and to continue doing the work that I really care about."

Gillian Marbury tested out several majors at the University of Iowa before learning her true passion lay in ancient civilizations and classical languages. "I'd always really loved Greek mythology. I mean, who hasn't read Percy Jackson?" Marbury says, laughing. "But I didn't really know that it was an academic field. So, taking those classes was me sort of trying out what that would look like. But I ended up absolutely falling in love with it."

Dominique Badajoz came from California to the University of Iowa sight unseen in order to better explore her roots. She's accomplished that goal: she became connected to her tribal nation (Meskwaki Sac & Fox), planned the UI Powwow, served as Native American Student Association president, and will graduate with a degree in studio arts and minors in informatics and Native American and Indigenous studies.

Cameron Bottum, who will graduate with a degree in sport and recreation management, appreciates the many field experiences that Iowa offered, especially the week he spent at the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Training Center. "It was just a really unique experience that I would've never in my life imagined I'd get. We got to swim in a pool that Michael Phelps practiced in. I mean, you can't beat that."

Bethanny Sudibyo was born in Indonesia and has traveled the world. But the University of Iowa doctoral student, who enjoys writing about the places she visits, describes the campus community in Iowa City as a must-see. "I knew coming in that the University of Iowa was known for its writing programs and for different activities and festivals related to writing and literature, but it was surprising to see just how active the writing community was."

What's a lifelong athlete to do when, by his own admission, he seems to be a bit prone to injury? In Brian Segura's case, study exercise science and physical therapy. Segura found opportunities to follow his athletic passions and organizations that have prepared him for the next step in his academic journey: pursue a Doctor of Physical Therapy here at Iowa.

Pamela Moya felt at home at Iowa as soon as she visited campus. The computer science and engineering graduate found peers who wanted her to succeed, a living learning community that shaped her as a person, and solace in her work in the Learning Spaces Technology department. She heads to a systems engineer job in Chicago having made special friendships and everlasting memories.

Zoe Dervin credits the Iowa Edge mentorship program for giving her a confident head-start on college. She tried many activities and joined numerous organizations-the UI Fencing Club, the DJ staff at KRUI, and a return to Iowa Edge as a mentor-and now will explore the career fields of speech pathology and audiology.

Olivia Goodyear always knew she'd get to do some amazing things as a University of Iowa student, but a few experiences still surprised her. For example, how often does a clarinet player get to help cut down the net at a Big Ten women's basketball tournament? And have a role in important pediatric audiology research?

Daniel McGregor-Huyer graduated from the University of Iowa REACH program in 2020, but felt he had unfinished business on campus. "I felt like I was on the right trajectory when everything came to a halt," says McGregor-Huyer, who grew up in Mahtomedi, Minnesota. So, he says he took a gamble and applied as a traditional student at Iowa. He was accepted and will graduate this month with a BA in cinematic arts and certificate in disability studies.

When you attend the University of Iowa, you don't have to make the Final Four to have a city and a state rally around you. McKenna Warnock noticed that supportive vibe when she arrived on the Iowa campus for a visit, and she fell in love with the idea of being a Hawkeye.

Mara Frieden knew she wanted to study business but wasn't sure about which specific areas of the field she was most passionate. She says direct admission to the University of Iowa Tippie College of Business allowed her to quickly discover the perfect fit. A job on the product launch team at John Deere awaits.

Tyler Humphreys may have grown up in Richardson, Texas, but his Hawkeye roots run deep. His grandfather, Lloyd "Buck" Humphreys, and uncle, Charlie Humphreys, both played football for the University of Iowa during years the team played in the Rose Bowl. "I grew up watching the Hawkeyes play football and had family from here," Humphreys says. "Even though I'm from Texas, I always felt a strong connection to the university." Humphreys will receive a juris doctorate from the UI College of Law this spring and head back to Texas, where he will join the Dallas County District Attorney's Office.

Kate Conlow was deputy managing editor of The Iowa Review-"the best literary magazine in the country, where I got to work with amazing Pulitzer Prize-winning authors"-when on a whim she decided to walk over to the University of Iowa College of Law to attend a prospective student open house.

Executive Master of Health Administration (EMHA) student Nigel Gawa has had an unusual path to health care leadership. Gawa started working at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics (UIHC) in environmental services in 2015 and has been promoted three times into progressively higher supervisory positions. He completed a bachelor's degree in social work from the UI and expects to graduate with an Executive MHA degree in summer 2023. Recently, he was offered and accepted the administrative fellowship position at UIHC starting summer 2023. Gawa recently answered a few questions about his academic journey and professional aspirations.

Guilherme Pinho, who will receive a BA in political science and German from the University of Iowa in May 2023, is the winner of a Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship Award to Germany for 2023-24.

Laura McDowell, who will receive a BA in linguistics and Spanish from the University of Iowa in May 2023, is the winner of a Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship Award to Turkey for 2023-24.

Lizzie Shockley, who will receive a BA in anthropology and Spanish from the University of Iowa in 2023, is the winner of a Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship Award to Mexico for 2023-24.