Meet the spring 2024 Panther grads
Meet the spring 2024 Panther grads
Graduation is right around the corner, which means it’s almost time for many Panthers to say “see you later” to campus and start the next chapter in their lives. We couldn’t be more excited to see what the future holds for our graduates! Check out what a few Panthers have to say about their experiences at UNI and their future plans.
Mason Fritz
Hometown: Lake Mills, Iowa
Majors: Finance and Real Estate
Post-graduation plans?
I will be joining Collins Aerospace in Cedar Rapids as a financial analyst in their Finance/Accounting Rotation Program.
How did UNI prepare you for your post-graduation plans?
I gained a solid foundation in a lot of areas for life after graduation, and I am confident that I’ll be ready for my career and life. The classes I took taught me valuable skills like teamwork, problem-solving, negotiation and communication along with skills specific to finance and real estate.
What brought you to UNI?
I came to UNI because of the positive things I heard about the Wilson College of Business and for the opportunities of a larger school that felt like a small school. The small class sizes enhance the learning experience and offer an opportunity to connect with students and professors.
Emily Holterhaus
Hometown: Pella, Iowa
Graduate program: Kinesiology and Sport Performance
Post-graduation plans?
I will be playing professional volleyball with a club in Béziers, France for one season, which is this August to April. Then I’m getting married in the summer of 2025, and will move to Iowa City after that! In Iowa City, I will be looking for a job in coaching or mentoring athletes.
What did you enjoy most about attending UNI?
My favorite parts about attending UNI were being on the volleyball team and being a part of FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes). Both of these groups have impacted my life in more ways than I can explain in a short paragraph, and these impacts will stick with me for the rest of my life. The fearless leaders of these groups are my head coach, Bobbi Petersen, and my FCA leader, Ken Trautmann. These two have set such good examples for me to learn from just by the way they live their lives. Both of them do everything they do to the best of their ability and are very passionate, encouraging, motivating and so much more.
What advice would you give to high school seniors?
If I were talking with students who are thinking about coming to UNI or are new here, I would say to just come here and find community. This university and town of Cedar Falls are full of people who are eager to make a difference in your life. Whether it be in the classroom or through some other organization, there is so much good here!
Thomas Melohn
Hometown: Pocahontas, Iowa
Major: Criminal Justice (BAS)
Minor: Psychology
Post-graduation plans?
After I graduate in May, I am planning on becoming an Iowa State Trooper. I will be attending the academy this fall.
How did you become interested in your major?
I became interested in my major when I got to high school. Freshman year of high school, I was looking for jobs where I could help people. I was looking at jobs to work in a hospital and other first responder jobs. My second cousin is a police officer in Marion, Iowa, and I decided to do a few ride-alongs with him. I learned a lot and fell in love with this profession. I wanted a profession where I could help people, keep my community safe and promote safety. I was able to get my EMT certification while attending Hawkeye Community College, so I work as an EMT and help people in other ways as well.
What did you enjoy most about attending UNI?
What I enjoyed most about attending UNI was how it is a university, but doesn’t feel largely overwhelming. I came from a small town in Iowa where you know everyone. I wanted to attend a college where I didn’t feel like a number. At UNI the professors know your name and help you in any way you need. I am also very grateful I was able to live in the dorms while I was attending Hawkeye. Because of this, I was able to meet some lifelong friends who I might not have met if I wasn’t allowed to be on campus.
Stephanie Ramos
Hometown: Des Moines, Iowa
Majors: Social Work and Music
Post-graduation plans?
I plan to stay in the Cedar Falls/Waterloo area and continue to work in the social work field. I will also be continuing to teach violin, viola and group lessons at the UNI Suzuki School as a full-time staff member. I would like to find more opportunities to serve my community, one of those being giving low-income students a chance to study music with me.
Who has impacted you the most while attending UNI?
The most influential professors I've had in Music were Dr. Julia Bullard, my former viola professor, Dr. Hendrickson, my current viola professor, and Dr. Rohde, my orchestra director. These three ignited the spark in music within me when I thought I no longer had it. When things got tough, I knew I could always count on them to believe in me and help me push myself forward.
What advice would you give students who are considering the same major?
For those considering social work, there will be moments in your classes where you wonder if this is really the career path for you. The professors are always willing to help and talk with you about future plans, any worries you have, what fields you're interested in, and all that you should expect. Please never hesitate to reach out for help. Jenny Becker, Rebecca Dickinson, Libby Fry, Itunu Ilesanmi, and so many more faculty in the department are some of the best people I know and always want to ensure each individual student's success.
Amy Rathmacher
Hometown: Story City, Iowa
Major: Marketing: Advertising and Digital Media and Business Analytics
Minor: Interactive Digital Studies
Post-graduation plans?
Starting this summer, I will continue to work remotely full-time at Spinutech, as an SEO Strategist.
How have you been involved outside of the classroom?
Throughout my time at UNI, I've been a part of Women in Business, Wilson Business Student Ambassadors, American Advertising Federation and Prairie Lakes Church College Ministry. All of the organizations helped me build a community and were a lot of fun to be a part of!
I also interned out in D.C. for a summer at the cancer non-profit, ASCO, as a marketing and communications Intern. This past summer and school year, I worked at Spinutech, a digital marketing agency, as a digital marketing intern on their SEO team. These opportunities helped me grow professionally and gave me an idea of the career path I want to enter into.
How did UNI prepare you for your post-graduation plans?
Through my classes at UNI, I got hands-on experience in many of the technical skills I will need as an SEO Strategist. Working with businesses and analyzing data in the classroom along with strengthening my soft skills will be very useful as I start my career in digital marketing.
Abbi Treichel
Hometown: Waterloo, Iowa
Major: Elementary Education
Minor: Social and Emotional Learning
Post-graduation plans?
Currently I am still in the process of finding a teaching position. However, I am optimistic that good things will come my way! I do hope to stay within the Cedar Valley area, but would not be opposed to any other opportunities that may come my way!
What brought you to UNI?
Ever since I was a kid, I dreamed of attending UNI! From a very young age I knew that I wanted to be a teacher and that UNI was going to be the place to help me achieve that dream! Throughout my middle and high school career, I also took it upon myself to engage in the many opportunities to visit and become familiar with the campus before attending.
Who has impacted you the most while attending UNI?
During my time at UNI, there were numerous amazing professors that helped shape me into the educator I am today! Some names to include are Mason Kuhn, Audra Hootman, Chepina Rumsey and Sarah Montgomery.
Sydney Woodruff
Hometown: Boone, Iowa
Major: Recreation, Tourism and Nonprofit Leadership
Minors: Mental Health and Family Studies
Post graduation plans?
I will be taking my certification exam this summer and have accepted a job as a recreational therapist at On With Life in Ankeny.
What excites you about your plans?
I get to serve individuals with traumatic brain injuries by facilitating recreation in their rehabilitation journeys.
What did you enjoy most about attending UNI?
I loved that my RTNL classes regularly got me out into the community to gain knowledge firsthand.
Jingzhi Xing
Hometown: Shizhuang City, Hebei Province, China
Major: Electrical Engineering Technology
Post-graduation plans?
I plan to attend graduate school and have received offers from UPenn, JHU, and UW, but I haven’t decided where to go yet.
What did you enjoy most about attending UNI?
At UNI, I made numerous friends from around the world, and many teachers and classmates were incredibly supportive. The friendly and inclusive atmosphere was very comforting.
How have you been involved outside of the classroom?
I was involved with the International Student Promoters, introducing the University of Northern Iowa to prospective students and others in the 2+2 cooperative program.
