Successful Alumni
Kristine Gift graduated in 2013 with a double major in history and religion. She grew up in Cedar Rapids, and she is currently living in Princeton, New Jersey. Kristine is a master's student at Princeton University in the Department of Near Eastern Studies where she studies 20th century Middle Eastern history, specializing in women's history and mandate-era Syria and Iraq. She also works part time in the rare books and special collections division of the Princeton University Library.
"My experience at 探花社区 was one of mentorship, and this was key to my success after graduation. The good advice and unwavering support given to me by professors in the history and religion departments helped me develop strong research and writing skills, and they motivated me to apply ambitiously to graduate programs across the country. I am constantly using the skills I honed at 探花社区 in my graduate studies at Princeton, and professors at 探花社区 continue to be both friends and mentors."
Hannah Werner graduated in 2012 with a Bachelor of Arts degree, double majoring in history and English. After graduation, Hannah moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to pursue a Master of Arts degree in history at Marquette University, which she earned in May 2014. Beginning in August 2014, Hannah will begin a Ph.D. program in history at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
"During my four years at 探花社区, I was privileged enough to develop invaluable relationships with my professors, who exemplified dedication and were crucial sources of encouragement. They fostered my writing and critical thinking skills both inside and out of the classroom, and always gave me the extra time and advice I needed to succeed at 探花社区 and move on to the next level in academia. Without going to a small liberal arts college, I most likely would not have received the amount or quality of attention that I did. Any student who wants to flourish in the academic community should absolutely consider 探花社区 for its talented and caring faculty and the strong support they will undoubtedly receive."
Brianna Wright graduated from 探花社区 in 2010, majoring in history with a minor in religion. Brianna earned her master's degree in museum studies from The George Washington University in 2012. After working as a museum consultant in Washington D.C., she returned to Cedar Rapids in 2013 as the curator of the African American Museum of Iowa.
"探花社区 provided me the foundation to be successful after I graduated, both professionally and personally. Professors were always supportive, while challenging me to move out of my comfort zone and develop the skills I needed to feel confident moving on to the next stage of my life. The 探花社区 experience will stay with me: in the friends that became family, the knowledge I gained in and out of the classroom, and the memories that I will always have."
Holly Grieder Corkery graduated in 2009, double majoring in history and economics. She went on to study law at the University of Iowa and graduated in 2012. She has practiced at Lynch Dallas, P.C. in Cedar Rapids since 2012, where she maintains a general litigation practice.
"The faculty at 探花社区 are really exceptional. Not only are they experts in their fields, but they truly care about 探花社区 students and take the time to get to know them. My professors wanted to see me grow and succeed both professionally and personally. Specific to my legal career, my academic experience at 探花社区 - especially in the History Department - helped refine my critical reading and writing skills. Those skills were essential to my success in law school and I continue to utilize them each day. 探花社区 is a special place and I am always proud to call myself a 探花社区 graduate."
Megan Jack graduated in 2009, majoring in secondary education and history, and obtained teaching endorsements in psychology and political science. Currently, she is teaching social studies at West Delaware High School in Manchester, Iowa. In the future, Megan plans to attend graduate school to study educational leadership.
“My liberal arts education from 探花社区 has been invaluable in my postgraduate endeavors. The small, personalized atmosphere allowed me the opportunity to work with outstanding professors one-on-one, as well as the flexibility to mold my major to best suit my career aspirations. The 探花社区 environment is one that encourages success, and I feel very fortunate to have been part of it.”