Meet the fall 2024 grads
Meet the fall 2024 grads
It’s the most wonderful time of year at the University of Northern Iowa - Commencement time! We are so proud of all our graduating seniors have accomplished during their college careers. Here’s a glimpse into their UNI experiences and future plans.
Jacob Chaplin
Hometown: Des Moines, Iowa
Majors: Music Performance and Music Composition
Post-graduation plans?
I am applying to graduate schools to continue my education and obtain my master’s in trombone performance.
Who has been especially influential during your time at UNI?
Of particular influence among the faculty would probably be my trombone professor, Dr. Anthony Williams, and my composition professors, Dr. Daniel Swillley and Dr. Jonathan Schwabe, because they're the reason I'm doing my majors. When I decided I didn't want to do education, I was originally just going to do composition, but Dr. Williams gave me a good pep talk that was somewhere along the lines of “You're pretty good at trombone, and I know you can get better at it if you stick with it.” So I stuck with it.
What advice would you give to incoming students?
Get your Google Calendar in order. But more generally, get to know people. I think sometimes folks can get trapped in the rut of being here to prepare themselves as professionals and might not realize that knowing people is part of most professions, and that getting to know people that like the same things as you, or are going into the same field as you, will benefit you greatly. I speak partly on that because in music, the people you know are the people that get you jobs. But it applies in a lot of other fields.
Amber Latteyer
Hometown: Robins, Iowa
Majors: Accounting and Economics
Certificate: Sustainability
Post-graduation plans?
I will be starting a full-time job in January at Collins Aerospace back home in Cedar Rapids. I'm going to be doing a financial/accounting rotational program. So I will be working in their mission systems area, doing financial planning and analysis.
How did you become interested in your major?
I took an accounting class in high school, and I fell in love with it. So that's what I decided to come into college with. I think during my sophomore year is when I decided to add my econ major. Dr. Alicia Rosburg had come and talked to one of my classes about the econ major and also the sustainability certificate. I thought it was super interesting. So I went in and decided to add both of those.
How did UNI help prepare you for your future plans?
Two years ago, I did the Deloitte Case Competition. That was huge because it really taught me a lot about teamwork and also having really good presentation skills. Also throughout my time at UNI, in a lot of classes, I've had to do presentations. So that’s really helped me with those presentation skills because it's gonna be something really important post-graduation. Obviously, I'm gonna be on a team, so it's really important to know how to work in a team setting.
Cheyenne McMillen
Hometown: Burlington and Fort Madison, Iowa
Major: Psychology
Minors: Sexuality, Women & Gender and Mental Health
Post-graduation plans?
As long as I live in the Cedar Valley (for the next six months or so), I will stay at my current job, which is a serving job at a fantastic local restaurant downtown. Once I move to Iowa City, I will look for a job that will allow me to use my degree in a more "professional" manner. The job I have now is great, and I interact with a lot of people daily, which allows me the opportunity to use my degree.
What did you enjoy most about attending UNI?
I've really enjoyed my classes and my professors. The professors I have had have been very thorough in their lectures as well as kind, helpful and understanding. I have built positive and encouraging relationships with some of them over the last few years.
What advice would you give to incoming students?
Ask for help. Don't be afraid to reach out to your professors for anything, and they will help guide you in the right direction. Utilize The Learning Center and the tutors they have. If you don't ask for help or communicate problems or circumstances with your professors, they won't know you need the help or accommodations.
Kaylee Oskvig
Hometown: Jewell, Iowa
Majors: Advertising & Digital Media and Interactive Digital Studies
Post-graduation plans?
I am currently exploring opportunities in both the marketing and communication fields. While I don’t have specific plans finalized yet, I am excited about pursuing a position where I can contribute my creativity, strategic thinking and hands-on experience. I am open to opportunities in Ames and Des Moines and surrounding areas.
How have you been involved outside of the classroom?
I’ve been actively involved in five student organizations, held three executive roles and joined two honor societies during my time at UNI. Additionally, I’ve completed several internships, each of which has added valuable real-world experience to my education. These organizations have been just as important as my coursework, if not more so. While my classes provided a strong foundation, my involvement on campus allowed me to grow in ways that extended far beyond the classroom. From developing leadership skills to building lifelong friendships, my participation in student organizations has been one of the most meaningful parts of my college experience.
What experiences at UNI have been the most rewarding?
The most rewarding experiences for me were the hands-on opportunities. UNI provides so many chances to apply what you’re learning in class to real-world scenarios. I’ve created an advertising campaign where we presented to Tide, worked with real clients to develop marketing materials, built my own blog and websites, and explored creative tools like laser engraving, vinyl, canvas wrapping, as well as product photography. These experiences have not only deepened my skills but also given me a competitive edge as I prepare to enter the workforce.
Megan Pearson
Hometown: Springville, Iowa
Major: Elementary Education
Minor: Social and Emotional Learning
Certificate: Schooling & Future of Education
Post-graduation plans?
After graduation, I plan on being a substitute teacher throughout the Spring semester. During that time, I will be applying for teaching positions for the 2025-26 school year!
How did you become interested in your major?
It was not until my junior year of high school that I knew that I could never leave the classroom. I began tutoring elementary students and instantly felt like the missing puzzle piece in my heart was found. When students told me that I inspired them, little did they know that they were my inspiration.
How did UNI prepare you for your post-graduation plans?
The wide variety of classes offered at UNI helped me feel successful for my plans after graduation. The pathway for teachers is incredibly planned out and allows you to get your feet in a classroom with students countless times prior to graduation. This helped me solidify my decision to continue my path in education!
Myles Robb
Hometown: Burnsville, Minnesota
Major: Public Administration
Minor: Political Science
Post-graduation plans?
I am currently an administration intern for the City of Shakopee, Minnesota. I plan to continue this position into the new year with the potential to transition into a full-time role there.
What brought you to UNI?
I first came to UNI during my sophomore year from another four-year university. The reason for this was it felt much more like a place where I could excel. I was interested in the public administration program and felt like the size and scope of UNI helped contribute to my long-term career plans. I previously came from a larger university in a big city which did not align with my educational or personal goals.
Who has impacted you the most while attending UNI?
My two professors, Dr. Chris Larimer and Dr. Jayme Renfro were a huge impact on me in the classroom as well as in my first working roles. They really strengthened my experience on campus and even now since I have been online in a reduced capacity.
Edina Tahirovic
Hometown: Waterloo, Iowa
Major: Economics: Business Economics
Minor: History
Post-graduation plans?
I have submitted my applications to law school and plan to begin in the fall of 2025. In the meantime, I will be working at Veridian Credit Union and taking a much-needed break before returning to school!
What brought you to UNI?
Attending UNI was always my goal upon graduating from high school! I had heard many positive things about the business program offered at the Wilson College of Business and knew I would receive a high-quality education and enjoy closer relationships with my professors and peers than at other universities in Iowa.
How have you been involved outside of the classroom?
I am a part of the university’s Honors Program as a Presidential Scholar, which has allowed me to research post-war economic growth determinants in the Balkans for my honors thesis. Additionally, I presented my research on employment status determinants among immigrants in the United States at the Jepson Undergraduate Research Conference hosted by Dr. Shahina Amin. This conference allows students to present working papers and offers the opportunity to be considered for publication in the Proceedings of the Jepson Conference.
Kailah Thompson
Major: Chemistry
Post-graduation plans?
After graduation, I plan on continuing work at the Foundry 4.0 Center here at UNI as an analytical lab assistant.
What did you enjoy most about attending UNI?
My greatest enjoyment at UNI came from my undergraduate research opportunities. My principal investigator, Dr. Colin Weeks, was a helpful mentor and professor while at UNI and I am very grateful for all the advice he has given me. He allowed me to expand my lab working experience while contributing to patent-pending research. I even had the opportunity to present my research at the American Chemical Society conference in Baton Rouge in March 2023!
How did UNI prepare you for your post-graduation plans?
My chemistry major taught me how to think through tough problems, analyze data and clearly communicate results. Working in lab settings also gave me hands-on experience needed for teamwork skills and staying focused for periods of time.
