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University of Iowa

Success Stories

Students

Ellonyia Yenney

Ellonyia Yenney, BAS, Certificate in Entrepreneurial Management

“Things don’t always work out how you originally intended, but that doesn’t mean that you give up,” says Ellonyia Yenney, Bachelor of Applied Studies degree candidate, spring 2015.  Teaching life lessons to their children seems to be a common theme among nontraditional distance students like Yenney.   “I wanted to let my son, Lazarus know it was never too late to complete a life goal.  For Yenney, this meant returning to school after a 20 year absence while working full-time in a position that required travel.

Read Ellonyia's story
Donna Macek holding flag at Kinnick Stadium

Donna Macek, BLS

Along with a group of 100 military personnel, UI student Donna Macek proudly carried the United States flag onto the football field at Kinnick stadium during the pregame ceremonies on Saturday, November 1. Macek served 10 years active duty in the United States Air Force before joining the Iowa National Guard 18 years ago. While on active duty, she worked in Logistics and Funds Management. During that time Macek also completed her Associate of Applied Sciences (AAS) degree in Accounting from Western Iowa Technical Community College (WITCC) in Sioux City, Iowa in 1998.

Read Donna's story
Chris Kelly

Chris Kelly, BAS

You might wonder, “How is it that Chris Kelly, December 2011 BAS graduate decided on the University of Iowa for his degree even though he lives over 1000 miles away in New Jersey?”

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Sheila Allison

Sheila Allison, BAS

Working with computers and data collection has always been a goal for Sheila Allison, but she knew she needed additional training and education. Luck met preparation when the job she had always hoped for was posted on her employer’s job line. Allison applied and was offered the position of Medical Records System Administrator at Mercy Cancer Center in Mason City, IA. One of the conditions of employment was that she complete her bachelor’s degree within five years of hire. Condition met: Spring 2014.

Read Sheila's story
Leesa and Ben Fair at commencement ceremony

Leesa Fair, BAS

Leesa Fair had a goal to achieve by her 50th birthday—to walk across the stage and receive a Bachelor of Applied Studies (BAS) degree from the University of Iowa. "The main reason I did this was simply to prove to myself I could," states Leesa.

She wasn't alone. Leesa and her son, Benjamin both started at the University of Iowa at the same time, and both graduated together in December 2012. Ben graduated with a BA in Computer Science.

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Denise Veatch Cofas

Denise Veatch Cofas, BAS

Denise Veatch Cofas was celebrating her 49th birthday when it occurred to her that she may never realize her dream of obtaining a Bachelor’s degree.

“I realized that my dream of having a Bachelor’s degree was going to pass me by if I didn't do something about it and quickly. I didn't really know if this goal was attainable within a normal time period. I was living out of the State of Iowa and wondered what school might accept the credits I currently had without me having to start all over?”

Read Denise's story
Emily Kuper

Emily Kuper, RN-BSN

As a freshman at the University of Northern Iowa Emily Kuper started out thinking she wanted to major in physical therapy, but quickly realized that nursing was her calling. Given she was originally from Osage, Iowa she decided it made sense to move back home and work on her Associate’s Degree in Nursing at NIACC.

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Wendy Myers

Wendy Myers, BAS

Deciding to start college later in life is a big step, one that Wendy Meyers, 2013 recipient of the Robert Ray Scholarship did not take lightly. Having completed her AAS degree from Kirkwood Community College, and then taking the next step in her education at the University of Iowa, Wendy has this to say about her decision.

“Don’t postpone your journey to gaining continuing education of any kind. It is something that once you have a degree, no one can ever take it away from you. A degree will provide a solid foundation for continuing to build on your future.“

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Mandie Mayo

Mandie Mayo, MA, Strategic Communication

As a marketing professional at UnityPoint Health-St. Luke’s in Sioux City, Iowa, Mandie (Norby) Mayo needs to be able to communicate effectively, have strong writing skills, think creatively, critically, and strategically. A tall order one might think, but when Mandie started looking for a graduate degree, she found that the University of Iowa’s M.A. in Strategic Communication fit her needs.

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Matt Traynor

Matt Traynor, BAS

When you first meet Matt Traynor you find him engaged, eager to learn, and wise beyond his years.

You’d also be surprised to learn about the path his life has taken. But, as we know far too well, sometimes life takes us places we don’t expect. If something terrible happens at your hands, you would ideally take responsibility for your actions and learn from the past. And that is exactly what Matt Traynor, a 2011 Bachelor of Applied Studies graduate, is doing.

Read Matt's story