Meet Our Students
Peer Mentor. Future Software Developer
Meet Andrew
Academic Program for Excellence (APEX) Scholar
APEX Peer Mentor
What is your hometown?Matteson, Illinois
What are your career aspirations?
I’d like to obtain my Master’s degree in Computer Engineering, then work for a company doing back end or software development.
What advice do you have for future ISU multicultural students?
Come in and get involved! I strongly believe that finding a community or support group is crucial for happiness and success. It’s how I was able to truly find my voice and become comfortable here. Also, don’t be afraid to seek resources, guidance, or help from anyone, including your peers. You’re not going to know how to do everything. There will be people who know how to do things better than you and that’s ok! Don’t sit there and struggle just because you’re afraid of judgment you think they’ll have of you.
ISU Student Ambassador. Future CEO.
Meet Ben
George Washington Carver (GWC) Scholar
Academic Program for Excellence (APEX) Peer Mentor
What is your hometown?Peoria, AZ
What are your career aspirations?
To own my own business.
What advice do you have for future ISU multicultural students?
Get out of your comfort zone as much as you possibly can. College is not just about taking classes to get a degree, it’s also about self-discovery and developing yourself into a better person. I believe the best way to do that is pushing yourself to get out of your comfort zone as much as you can. So go out and meet new people, experience things you’ve never gotten to experience, or just do whatever it is that challenges you.
Cyclone Aide. Paradigm-Altering Business Leader.
Meet Carleen
George Washington Carver(GWC) Scholar
Where are your from?I am from Ecuador but graduated high school in Puerto Rico
What advice do you have for future ISU multicultural students?
My piece of advice is to come with an open mind. There are so many resources on campus for students, especially multicultural students that I feel have really helped me get a sense of belonging at ISU. Don't be afraid to talk to someone new, to try a new club or take a class outside of your major because you will never have these opportunities again once you graduate.
Peer Leader. Future world-changing super hero.
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Meet Elcy
Multicultural Vision Program (MVP) Scholar
MVP Peer Leader
What is your hometown?Des Moines, IA
What are your career aspirations?
I would like to work with service organizations such as UNICEF, The UN, Americorps, and the Peace Corps. I want to work with children in developing nations to make sure they get education and health services.What advice do you have for future ISU multicultural students?
My advice would be to get involved on campus and try out things that are new to you. That way you can meet new people and make new friends because being in college can be lonely sometimes; and it's always good to have people in your corner that you can talk to and be real with.
Emerging Leader. Future International Tech Icon.
Meet Jamie
Academic Program for Excellence (APEX) Scholar
What is your hometown?Springfield, Missouri
What are your career aspirations?
I want to travel the world working for a technology giant like Google, Apple, Microsoft, Intel, etc.What advice do you have for future ISU multicultural students?
One of the reasons I chose to come to Iowa State was because I had witnessed the community that was built around their multicultural students along with the support they offer in other areas. My advice to those considering Iowa State would be to visit the campus and talk to students and staff about their experiences. ISU welcomes all.
MVP Peer Leader. Future Community Leader.
Meet Luis
Multicultural Vision Program (MVP) Scholar
MVP Peer Leader
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Where is home?Home, for me, if wherever I feel comfortable.
What are your career aspirations?
I would like to work for a company that contributes to the community where their main goal is to better the human race as a whole and not just a select few.
What advice do you have for future MVP Scholars?
The biggest piece of advice that I would have for new MVP scholars is not to give up, even when times are getting tough and you think that you're at an all-time low, just know that when you're at the bottom, there's only one other way you can go...and that's up.
GWC Scholar. Future Engineering and Technology Icon.
Meet Roger
George Washington Carver (GWC) Scholar
Where are you from?I’ve been living in Iowa since before I was one year old, but I was born in California.
What are your career aspirations?
I am currently very interested in taking my chemical engineering degree down the path of semiconductors. Within this area, I could work closely on with companies that work on products that I enjoy learning and knowing about, mainly because I love technology!
What advice do you have for future GWC Scholars?
Some advice that I would give to new GWC scholars is to attend the events! I’ve made a lot of friends this way and it’s a great way to take a break from studying.
MVP Peer Leader. Future Education Change-Maker.
Meet Sarah
Multicultural Vision Program(MVP) Scholar
MVP Peer Leader
What is your hometown?Home for me is wherever my siblings are. Being the 2nd oldest of 7, family is extremely important to me. I'm always the most comfortable around them. My hometown will always be Des Moines, IA. I used to live in Torrington, CT and I live in Ames right now, but Des Moines forever remains my home.
What are your career aspirations?
My dream job would be to be an English teacher or an Urban Leadership instructor and hopefully make my way as an administrator or professor. My career aspirations in broader terms, is to help people. In anyway, little or big. I also want to make lasting improvements and progress in education.
What advice do you have for future MVP Scholars?
The strongest piece of advice I can give to new MVP scholars is to not be afraid to ask for help! Whether it's help with academics, socialization, health, etc. - someone is willing to listen if you're willing to talk.
Student Organization Leader. Future TED Talk Sensation.
Meet Solomon
Student Organization Leader
What is your hometown?Waterloo, IA
What are your career aspirations?
Ultimately I aspire to be an entrepreneur. I would love to embark on a motivational speaking career and have one of the top non-profit organizations in America.
What advice do you have for future ISU multicultural students?
Do not be discouraged when times get rough; we all have gone through it. There is light at the end of the tunnel. If you need comfort or people to talk to, please go seek out the necessary help.
Community Adviser. Future Educator Extraordinaire.
Meet Tiffany
Multicultural Vision Program(MVP) Scholar
Academic Program for Excellence (APEX) Scholar
What is your hometown?Des Moines, IA
What are your career aspirations?
To work in student affairs.
What advice do you have for future ISU multicultural students?
Something I would say to a multicultural student who is considering Iowa State is that there are so many opportunities for success here! There are offices like Multicultural Student Affairs that offer so much for the students like, financially, they have scholarships; socially, we have many clubs and organizations for multicultural students and there are many perks like free printing, a free tutor and much more. There are also students on this campus who want to see you succeed so get to know them and get involved on campus.
GWC Scholar. APEX Scholar. Future Sustainable Brewing Mogul.
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Meet Tigerlily
George Washington Carver (GWC) Scholar
Academic Program for Excellence (APEX) Scholar
What is your hometown?I Came to school from Burlington/Fort Madison, IA but I was born in northern California
What are your career aspirations?
I would like to work in sustainable brewing, particularly in the production of honey-based ciders.What advice do you have for future ISU multicultural students?
To future ISU multicultural students, I would advise that you get involved and get connected. Not only does this help you gain experience that look good on a resume, but this helps you grow as person. The more you step outside of your comfort zone, the more you can learn about the world around you and about yourself. Plus, it's more fun.
Honors Program Staff Member. Future University Leader.
Meet Vincent
George Washington Carver (GWC) Scholar
What is your hometown?Saint Charles, IL
What are your career aspirations?
I'd like to be gainfully employed as much as the next person, but I admit I am still exploring my options. For instance, I've thought about pursuing Student Affairs because my involvement on campus has taught me just how much I love working with students. While I am exploring what my post-undergrad life will look like, I am not too worried about the foreseeable future--Newt Scamander from Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them puts it quite succinctly: worrying just means you suffer twice. Because ISU offers resources like Career Services and numerous networking opportunities throughout the academic year, the future isn't really that daunting--it's something I look forward to eventually experiencing instead.
What advice do you have for future ISU multicultural students?
My advice has to do with homesickness. I miss my family and my culture dearly when I am in Ames during the school year. I miss my mom's afritada and my dad's fried plantains, the Filipino potlucks we had as a community nearly every weekend. My recommendation is that you find a way to recreate a morsel of your culture in your daily life so that you can bring part of it with you wherever you go. For me, that has meant learning to cook Filipino foods in my apartment and having my own little taste of home waiting in my pantry when I need it.