While COVID-19 made for a challenging end to their college careers, our graduating seniors continued to impress with their academic brilliance, strong relationships with faculty and other students, and wide variety of out-of-class experiences to create a strong foundation for their future. These are but a few of our promising Class of Fall 2020 graduates:

Name: Adrienne Tebbe

Major: Supply Chain Management and Management Information Systems

Briefly describe what you’ll be doing after graduation: I will be a Commodity and Sourcing Associate, working with suppliers to put parts on long term contracts at Collins Aerospace in Cedar Rapids.

“I wanted to go into the business field, but wasn't exactly sure what I wanted to major in and UNI has one of the best business schools in the country. UNI is also large enough to provide vast opportunities, but small enough that you feel like a part of a community. You're not just a number at UNI. I was able to build relationships with multiple professors throughout my 4-and-a-half years, and I believe that those relationships are what made my time at UNI the best that it could possibly be. 

Name: Emily McDermott

Major: Physical Education

Briefly describe what you’ll be doing after graduation: After graduation, I plan on substituting for any grade level or subject area at surrounding schools in Southwest Iowa. 

“I came to UNI because it has the best education program in the state. Once I toured UNI, met the faculty, and the staff, I knew that UNI was the right place for me.

“UNI is really awesome about working with everyone on an individual basis. The faculty and staff are awesome at making those one on one connections. If you need anything, the faculty and staff are there for you. The university does a great job of getting students' perspective on current issues. This is what makes UNI a great place to be. UNI is also known as the University of Nothing Impossible. That is true. UNI gave me the opportunity to meet and talk with congressmen and senators at our nation's capital. There is something for everyone at this university.” 

Name: Hunter Morehouse

Major: Double major in Finance and Real Estate

Briefly describe what you’ll be doing after graduation: I will be working as a commercial appraisal analyst at Valbridge in Kansas City, Kansas working towards a career in commercial appraisal and getting my MAI (a professional designation offered by the Appraisal Institute roughly equivalent to a ‘doctorate level’ of commercial real estate appraisal).

“UNI provides a small school feel where you can connect with your professors as well as fellow students. It also has a great reputation in the real world so it is easier to find a job after graduation in the field you want. The Real Estate program, and more specifically Rho Epsilon, connected me with the internship I had with Valbridge, my future employer. And my major in Real Estate qualifies me for 285 out of the 300 class hours needed to get my general appraisal license.” 

Name: Adara Opiola

Major: Political Science

Briefly describe what you’ll be doing after graduation: I will be attending law school at the University of Iowa. 

“Through UNI and the political science department, I was provided with countless opportunities that I would have never expected. Choosing political science as a major was one of the best decisions that I made for myself as a college student. It is an excellent major that will challenge you and make you a better student and thinker in all endeavors. 

“UNI gave me all of the tools that I needed to get accepted into law school. My courses prepared me for the rigor of law school and the LSAT, along with providing me with work experiences and letters of recommendation. I had advisors that helped me plan every step of the way to achieve my goals.” 

Name: Mahlia Brown

Major: Psychology

Briefly describe what you’ll be doing after graduation: I am going to be attending the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in their Spring 2021 cohort for the Master’s of Human Resources and Industrial Relations.

“I have always had a passion for helping people, specifically emotionally. From there, I knew Psychology would offer me opportunities to explore my passion and find the specialization that was right for me.

“My fellow students made my experience so worthwhile. The students who engaged with the Center for Multicultural Education, Gender and Sexuality Services, and the Northern Iowa Student Government throughout my years at UNI made me feel so welcome and supported. They are some of the most active, intelligent, passionate and service-oriented students I have ever met and it was an honor working with them. I also have to thank Connie Hansen, Belinda Creighton-Smith, Jamie Chidozie and Em Harsch for being such inspirational and integral resources and role models for me.”