Graduate Programs in Student Affairs have a long history of producing stellar professionals. On this page we highlight a few of our graduates, celebrate the profession and our graduate program. We asked these graduates to tell us about their professional life and why they do what they do. We also asked them to tell us about their reasons for pursuing graduate study and what they think of Graduate Programs in Student Affairs at the University of Iowa.

For our graduates: We hope this page will remind you why you chose to work in student affairs and spark memories of your own time at Iowa.

For our current and prospective students: We hope that you will get a taste of how the experiences and education you receive at Iowa will assist you in being successful.

Jump to an Alum:

Terry Piper (M.A. 1979)

Mary Howard Hamilton (M.A. 1977)

Kristi Brierly Coleman (M.A. 1999)

Joan M. Krush (M.A. 1999)

Brian Marth (M.A. 2000)

Belle Vukovich Kenoyer (M.A. 2001)

Josh Walehwa (M.A. 2002)

Bill Huff (M.A. 2006)

Terry Piper (M.A. 1979)

Work life: Vice President for Student Affairs at California State University, Northridge. Prior positions included: Associate Vice President for Student Services at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Director of Residential Life at UNLV, and positions at the Ohio State University as a hall director, area coordinator, and assistant director for graduate, family, and conference housing.

Why student affairs? During the mid-70's I was involved with community action groups protesting university encroachment into city neighborhoods. I got to interact with the Vice President for Student Affairs on several occasions. One day I asked him how he got into his position (I thought it would be easier to affect change from the inside) and he told me about student personnel work and suggested I look at college catalogs. The descriptions I found sounded like something I'd like to do so I applied.

Student affairs is meaningful work: I am privileged to work at an institution whose mission is to serve its region and provide access to higher education for populations that have been historically under represented. It is a true joy to see students transcend the boundaries that have limited the opportunities that their parents had available to them. Every day I feel as though I am contributing to a better tomorrow.

Why get a graduate degree? Grad prep in the discipline in which you plan to work is critical to becoming a professional in the field rather than a "technician" in the field. There are, however, many flavors of grad prep in student affairs. Choosing a program that emphasizes ones areas of interest, e.g., counseling vs. administration, is wise.

Thoughts on selecting and attending the University of Iowa: I would not recommend choosing a graduate program the way I did. As I mentioned before I explored student affairs work through descriptions in college catalogs. I liked the way University of Iowa described the work that the academic program prepared one to do. Believe it or not, the factor that was most important was that University of Iowa was in an agricultural community. I had always lived in the city but was drawn, to farm lands. In fact, I have often thought that some day I would own and work a small farm. Serendipity took over and going to Iowa was the most developmental experience of my life. The academic curriculum provided an excellent balance between counseling, student development, and higher ed administration. The relationships were collegial and nurturing. The internships and assistantships provided an excellent way to find one's fit within the field. And, most importantly, the emphasis on participation in professional associations. The faculty introduced me to ACPA which has been my professional home, venue for my professional development, and source of my professional network and leadership opportunities.

Kristi Brierly Coleman (M.A. 1999)

Work life: Senior Associate Director for Student Organizations in the Office of Campus Programs and Organizations at Albion College. Prior to my current position, I had the opportunity to work in the Office of Career Development at Albion College as the Senior Associate Director.

Why student affairs? As an undergraduate student I was very involved in several campus programs and activities where I was surrounded by people who worked in the Division of Student Affairs.  This experience gave me exposure to career opportunities that exist within the field and a general knowledge of the profession.  I was intrigued by the opportunities that were available for staff members to make connections with students, collaborate with departments across campus, and be involved in programs and services that directly impact student’s lives.  I was also captivated by the many rewards and challenges faced by people in this career as they worked to meet the evolving needs of the student population.  It is through this exposure and the mentorship provided to me by staff members within the field that I decided to pursue a graduate education and career in student affairs.

Student affairs is meaningful work: The connections I have made with students and colleagues have been the most meaningful aspects of my work in student affairs.  Working at a small private institution has allowed me to really get to know students and witness their personal development over four years.  The changes that occur in individuals each year in terms of their maturation, critical thinking skills, and decision-making skills are amazing.  I have also been blessed to work with supportive colleagues who are dedicated to providing quality services for students, respond well to change, and are willing to go the extra mile to help out another staff/team member.

Why get a graduate degree? There are several benefits to pursuing graduate education in the field of student affairs.  Some of these benefits include, but are not limited to, having a greater understanding of the history of colleges and universities, understanding students and their development, being able to learn about and draw upon theory, taking classes directly related to your field, and being exposed to a variety of opportunities that exist within student affairs through participation in internships.

Thoughts on selecting and attending the University of Iowa:  The University of Iowa’s program in Student Development in Postsecondary Education has a strong reputation and is very much respected in the field of student affairs.  The program is recognized for having well known and esteemed faculty who are outstanding professors and also very published in the field.  Students benefit from a wide variety of classes that provide a good counseling base, numerous assistantship/internship opportunities on-campus and at surrounding institutions, and an established and thriving alumni network.

Joan M. Krush (M.A. 1999)

Work life: Chief Academic Advisor and Recruiter for the Department of Biochemistry at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Previous postions include: Assistant Director of Admissions at Dakota Wesleyan University, Associate Director of Admissions at Lawrence University, and Assistant Director of Admissions at the College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University.

Why student affairs? I was an orientation leader and tour guide in college and really enjoyed meeting prospective students and their families and being a resource for students as they contemplated their college decision. Upon graduation from college and a summer stint in public relations, I realized that all the really fun people I knew were in admissions and student affairs. Hence, I took a position as an Admissions Counselor and recruited students for four years before pursuing my Master’s in Student Development in Postsecondary Education at IOWA.

Student affairs is meaningful work: I value the relationships developed with students. In particular, I enjoy watching the life transformation students make to varying degrees throughout their college search, decision, enrollment and college experience as they prepare for a career (or multiple careers in most cases) and prepare for life! The college experience is pivotal for most students; it is where they grow and develop as a person, where they begin to see the impact they have on society and grow to become a contributing member to society. How many other jobs can you say that about? People who work in student affairs change lives, no doubt!

Why get a graduate degree? Through the training in a graduate program, you participate in systematic learning which allows you to become an informed professional. The combination of theory based-knowledge and day-to-day experiences helps to develop a competent student affairs professional. Practicum experiences offer the integration of theory and practice providing real life application in an environment of reflection and personal growth.

Thoughts on selecting and attending the University of Iowa: The developmental and intentional counseling focus of the program prepares one to serve diverse student needs. Applying practical experience to counseling techniques with a theoretical base give a firm foundation to the student affairs professional. Beyond the strength of the program, the campus and city provide a positive, progressive environment to enjoy a wonderful community and quality of life.

Brian Marth (M.A. 2000)

Work life: Director of the College Advising Center at Columbia College, Chicago. I started my career at Columbia working in our Freshman Center, a support office for all first-year students, before taking my current position.

Why student affairs? Similar to others who enter this profession, I originally entered the field because of my own personal college experience. I learned so much during my college years and my world view changed dramatically. By entering this field, it allowed me to stay connected with higher education and to possibly make a difference in the lives of others. I decided to enroll in the Iowa program because I am very interested in the research process.  The SDP program at Iowa had the best combination of research, theory, and practice.

Student affairs is meaningful work: In my current position, I have the best of both worlds. I love working with the students! Columbia is an extremely diverse institution, from race, socio-economic status, college preparedness, to simply artistic individuality. I learn something different from each student. On the other hand, I am very involved in the administration of the office and institution. I am able to voice my opinion and problem solve at a higher level, and not simply during the one-on-one interactions. To have both the individual student contact and administrative voice is a good fit for my interests and skills.

Why get a graduate degree? A graduate program helps to frame most (if not all) of the situations you may encounter in higher education. On a daily basis, I witness the differences between professionals with graduate preparation and those without, and they sometimes are rather dramatic. The graduate program prepares the individual for understanding the problem and creating an intentional solution in the best interest of the students and the institution. The programs prepare the professional for how to approach the various situations and how to address and solve them as an educator.

Thoughts on selecting and attending the University of Iowa:  The University of Iowa was an excellent place to prepare for my career. The program values and integrates student development theory, student affairs practice, counseling skills, and research methods. While in the program, I didn't always realize how my studies would benefit me, but they have dramatically. Due to my education at Iowa, I am confident in my decisions, and my decision making process. Finally, I also believe this integration of values has prepared me to follow several different paths. I am comfortable pursuing positions in student affairs administration, but I am also prepared to pursue a PhD program and conduct research on college student development.

Belle Vukovich Kenoyer (M.A. 2001)

Work life: Housing and Residence Life Coordinator at
Qatar Foundation in Doha, Qatar. Prior positions include:
Academic Advisor at Alverno College, Academic Advisor at Loyola University Chicago, and Residence Hall Director at the University of New Hampshire.

Why student affairs? As an undergraduate at the University of Iowa I was an orientation advisor and I loved it!  This job also led me to work with other undergraduate programs in advising and transition issues for first year students. Guiding and mentoring other students, helping them make their own decisions about their future (even if that meant NOT going to college), helping them find resources to realize their goals – all of this work made me feel “alive”.  So I went and got a job with my finance degree at a bank.  Within 3 months I knew I was staring down a long tunnel that didn’t appear to have a light at the end of it.  Luckily, I had an amazing mentor as an undergraduate who had put the bug in my ear about student affairs and I called her and asked if she’d be willing to serve as a reference for me for graduate school – thank goodness she said yes.

Student affairs is meaningful work:  All of the things I find meaningful involve the relationships I build with the students with whom I work.  I think it is so important for young people to have someone they can talk to without judgment (though sometimes they need and want you to give them judgment) but who will remind them of their very best selves and support them as they acknowledge and work towards that potential.  I also enjoy the self-reflection and growth that I am able to gain as a result of working with students.  Not many jobs encourage you to dig deep and examine your own morals and values. Within student affairs what we do is laden with values, if we didn’t explore that in ourselves, we wouldn’t be trustworthy mentors and guidance-givers.

Why get a graduate degree? The benefits are that you can see the big picture within higher education more easily than those who do not have that background.  It’s easier to see patterns of student behavior and to actively prepare for that than to have to constantly react to what our students are doing.  And you make some excellent connections with both your faculty and fellow students to help you in your journey through the field!

Thoughts on selecting and attending the University of Iowa: I think Iowa is an excellent place to prepare for a career in student affairs for several reasons: 1) The program is growing.  By recently adding a PhD program and increasing the number of Masters students the faculty is able to cultivate their own “growing edges”.  Certain departments on campus have also increased the number of Grad. Assistantships available in student affairs (like in housing, etc) 2) The faculty listens to students.  I remember being asked to participate in the restructuring of the Master’s curriculum. It felt good to have my experiences and opinions taken into account.  3) The program integrates counseling into its curricula.  While some people go into higher education to work on the administrative side, many of us go into it on the student interaction side.  Having the counseling background has helped me be a better guide for my students and allowed me to let students know when they need more help than I can give them professionally. 4) Iowa City is a great town!  I may be biased since I went there for undergrad too, but it is such a great experience to live and work in a town where the majority of the people you run into have some sort of connection to the university, not to mention the culture and arts and welcoming atmosphere.  5) There are other small schools in the area to gain work and practicum experience as well.

Josh Walehwa (M.A. 2002)

Work life: Associate Director of Residential Life, Washington University in St. Louis. Prior experience includes: Assistant Dean for Students and Director of Residence Life at Coe College, Residential College Director at Washington University in St. Louis, and Quad Director at Brandeis University in Waltham, MA. I have also served as the coordinator for the Social Justice Center (Wash U) and Leadership Programs (Coe College).

Why student affairs? I knew a couple of people who graduated from Iowa's program, and I became awestruck by the idea I could do this work for a living. My goal in going into the field continues to be to help students get to college and to succeed once they get there (particularly 1st generation college students).

Student affairs is meaningful work: I really enjoy challenging students (and being challenged by students). Over the years, I've appreciated all they've taught me as well as what I've been able to share with them about leadership, life skills, and being positively contributing members in our inclusive communities. My hope is that all of these experiences will influence how they live their lives beyond their time as undergraduates.

Why get a graduate degree? The counseling skills are invaluable! The lower and higher level skills of microcounseling and group counseling come into play when working with student groups, staff, advisees, colleagues, discipline/student issues, and every professional connection you can think of. Learning about organizations/institutions of higher education serve as a great tool for understanding your working environment. Being challenged in areas of diversity and social justice have been the foundation of much of the work I've done. Student development theory really helps as a guide to understanding where our students are, but not a prescription for what each individual is going through.

Thoughts on selecting and attending the University of Iowa: The University of Iowa is a great place to be challenged academically in an environment that provides hands on/practical experience. The faculty all bring very different approaches, providing balanced perspectives that, without a doubt, benefit students professionally and academically. Iowa City offers a great college town feel with an active social scene, great shopping/restaurants, and strong visual & performing arts.

Bill Huff (M.A. 2006)
Work life: Bill is an Area Coordinator for the Department of Residence Life at Georgetown University. Previously, he worked for two years as a Quad Director at Brandeis University in Waltham, MA.

Why student affairs? Growing up, one constantly hears the adage ‘Do what you love.’ I decided to pursue my undergraduate degree in secondary education and theater after four great years of loving my high school experiences, especially my theater involvement. I quickly decided, however, through various practicum experiences that teaching was not necessarily the appropriate step for me. What I loved most were my experiences in various student affairs offices. When several folks pointed out some of my most meaningful experiences during college were in the field, pursuing it as a career seemed like something I could definitely love doing for the rest of my life.

Student affairs is meaningful work: Student affairs professionals have the privilege to engage students in dialogue and reflection as they navigate their own journeys of learning and development. Our role along this path is to encourage students to draw connections between what they learn in the classroom and what is occurring in the residence halls, their on and off campus jobs, & the greater global community. What I value most is that these conversations range from minor interpersonal conflicts to deeper topics of identity development and social justice. All these conversations collectively build upon one another as our students identify their purpose in the world and become more authentic and aware young adults.

Why get a graduate degree? One of the greatest outcomes of obtaining a graduate degree is understanding, within the greater framework of the field of higher education, how to create and foster the most impactful and beneficial opportunities for students on campus. There are individuals in our field without advanced degrees who do good work, but my graduate degree allows me to achieve results with less trial and error and a more cohesive connection to research and theory.

Thoughts on selecting and attending the University of Iowa: The University of Iowa provides the unique combination of beneficial personal and professional opportunities. The cohort model fosters a tight knit community of peers small enough to be supportive and diverse enough to push you to think differently and more complexly. The faculty in GPSA also bring a diversity of experience & perspective and engage students in learning about the field from theoretical, experiential, and reflective approaches. Helping skills ground the coursework, which is beneficial in developing deep, meaningful connections with students. The variety of experiential opportunities connected my coursework to the experiences in my graduate assistantship and practicum and provided direct application of theory and research. And to top it off, Iowa City is a great place to live. Its small town feel is full of farmer’s markets and local festivals yet it still has a larger city feel full of vibrant cultural experiences and Big Ten athletics.