Freshman Learning Community Peer Mentors
Grace Aipa
Class: Sophomore
Major: Kinesiology and Health
Option: Athletic Training
Hometown: Honolulu, Hawaii
About me: Hi! My name is Grace Aipa, and I’m from Oahu, so I love a good beach or hike day or just cruising around the island! I can be super competitive and like trying out different sports with my friends. A fun fact about me is that Supernatural is one of my comfort shows and I love anime (One Piece is my favorite). I’m excited to help you get to know Iowa State!
Hannah Asche
Class: Senior
Major(s): Kinesiology and Health & Psychology
Option: Pre-Physical Therapy
Hometown: Elkader, Iowa
About me: Hello everyone! My name is Hannah, and I love to hang out with friends, go on hikes, watch movies, and run. I am involved in clubs and research, where I help many wonderful people! I love kinesiology, and my favorite classes I have taken at Iowa State were human anatomy and medical aspects of exercise. I can’t wait to welcome everyone joining the Cyclone family!
Cierra Bryant
Class: Senior
Major: Kinesiology and Health
Option: Pre-Occupational Therapy
Hometown: Des Moines, IA
About me: A few fun facts about me are that my favorite food is fried catfish with hot sauce, and I am scared of all animals — even the cute ones! I also enjoy spending time with friends, being involved on campus, and learning more about working with children in the future.
Larissa Capretz
Class: Junior
Major: Kinesiology and Health (with a minor in Psychology)
Option: Pre-Occupational Therapy
Hometown: Chaska, Minnesota
About me: Hi guys, my name is Larissa! I am involved in different extra curriculars around campus including PAAS, OT club and singing outreach for people with PD. I love studying just at my apartment or in the bottom of Forker. My favorite food is pasta, and my favorite class I have taken so far would be motor control or neural basis. One fun fact about me is that I can juggle 🙂 I am so excited to help all of you navigate your first semester at Iowa State!
Celia Cerfogli
Class: Junior
Major: Kinesiology and Health
Option: Exercise Science
Hometown: College Station, Texas
About me: I like Coffee, Casey’s breakfast pizza, and working out. Outside of my normal classes, I am an active AFROTC cadet and a bartender at a local dive bar. My best advice for incoming freshmen would be to get to know the people around you, it’s important to build a good support system especially when you are in a new environment.
Hannah Chesnut
Class: Senior
Major: Kinesiology and Health
Option: Pre-Physical Therapy
Hometown: Boone, IA
About me: During my time at Iowa State, I have been actively involved in Greek Life, Dance Marathon, the Pre-Health Club, and research within the Kinesiology department. I currently work as a Physical Therapy Technician at McFarland Clinic. My long-term goal is to become a physical therapist specializing in orthopedics or sports medicine. A fun fact about me is that I lived in Malaysia for three years and have traveled to five of the seven continents.
Jordan Dewes
Class: Junior
Major: Kinesiology and Health
Option: Pre-Physical Therapy
Hometown: West Des Moines, Iowa
About me: Hello everyone! My name is Jordan, and you will always find me with a coffee in hand around campus . In my free time, I love to hang out with friends and family, watch new TV series, and doing yoga and going outside. One interesting thing about me is that I’m a fourth-generation Iowa State student. One of my favorite things to do on campus is going to the football and basketball games to support our Cyclones!
Alexander Garcia
Class: Senior
Major: Kinesiology and Health
Option: Pre-Physician Assistant
Hometown: Denison, Iowa
About me: Hello everyone! My name is Alex, and I am a senior majoring in Kinesiology and Health on the Pre-Physician Assistant track. I am also a CNA at Green Hills in Ames, Iowa. My favorite food is burritos, and my favorite place to study on campus is the second floor of Parks Library. The best class I have taken at Iowa State was Anatomy Lab. It was difficult, but I learned a lot about the human body, and it pushed me to become a better student. A fun fact about me is that I do not know how to swim!
Alex Heilbuth
Class: Junior
Major: Kinesiology and Health
Option: Pre-Physician Assistant
Hometown: Sioux City, Iowa
About me: Hello everyone! Throughout my time here, I have been involved in the Greek community, Student Government as a CHHS Senator, Blood Drive, Dance Marathon, Pre-Physician Assistant Club and working as a Research Assistant within the Kinesiology Department. I currently work as a Patient Care/Surgical Technician at Mercy Medical Center in Des Moines and have a passion for orthopedic surgery and rural medicine! A fun fact about me is that I love to travel and have visited all 50 states, Alaska being my favorite! I am so excited to meet and support you all!
Robert Johnson
Class: Senior
Major: Kinesiology and Health
Option: Pre-Physical Therapy
Hometown: Sioux City, IA
About me: What’s up y’all! I love traveling, listening to music, and playing sports (literally anything you name it). During my time in Ames, I have been involved in research, PT club, Greek life, and working as a PT tech at a local clinic. These are all things I am still currently involved in, and so can you! I can’t wait to meet all of you!!
Eliza Lust
Class: Senior
Major(s): Kinesiology and Health; Psychology
Option: Pre-Occupational Therapy
Hometown: Chicago, IL
About me: Hi everyone! At Iowa State, I am involved with the Honors Program, the Pre-OT club, and the Biomechanics Lab with Dr. Gillette. In my free time, I love to spend time outside, run, cook, travel, and try new coffee shops! I am so excited to welcome you to Iowa State and help you through your first semester as a Cyclone!
Matthew Mikles
Class: Junior
Major: Kinesiology and Health
Option: Pre-Physical Therapy
Hometown: Johnston, IA
About me: I love spending time outdoors, especially in the summer when I can work in my garden. I enjoy cooking and experimenting with new recipes. I’m always eager to spend time with friends. A fun fact about me is that my family has 12 honey bee hives!
Keira Niec
Class: Sophomore
Major: Kinesiology and Health
Option: Pre-Physical Therapy
Hometown: Cedar Rapids, Iowa
About me: Hello everyone! My name is Keira. My favorite part of Iowa State has been by far the clubs I am a part of. I am involved in many performing arts clubs at Iowa State, including Cantamus Choir, Count Me In acapella, Orchesis II Dance Club, and Cardinal Tap Club. In Orchesis II Dance Club, Cantamus, and Cardinal Tap Club, I am a social media chair. My favorite Kinesiology class so far has been Principles of Physical Fitness and Conditioning. I am looking forward to not only being your peer mentor, but being someone you can call a friend.
Haylee Uhl
Class: Junior
Major: Kinesiology and Health
Option: Pre-Physician Assistant
Hometown: Dallas Center, IA
About me: A little bit about me is that I love spending time with my friends, going on weird adventures with them, and trying new things. I really enjoy traveling, concerts, trying new coffee shops, and being outside. I’m very passionate about healthcare and absolutely love my job as a CNA. A fun fact about me is that I’m trying to learn ASL by the end of the year.
Ella Van Heuverswyn
Class: Senior
Major(s): Kinesiology and Health; Biology
Option: Pre-Health Professions – Human Medicine
Hometown: Waukee, Iowa
About me: Hi everyone! My name is Ella and I am a coffee lover enthusiast! In my free time I enjoy getting outside, painting, and going on trips! I’m so excited to get to know everyone, and I’m looking forward to a great year!
Mia Waddle
Class: Senior
Major: Kinesiology and Health
Option: Pre-Physical Therapy
Hometown: Panora, IA
About me: Hi everyone! I’m someone who loves coffee, anything pink, long walks, and shopping. I’m always down for a Target run or trying a new coffee shop. You’ll usually find me studying on the third floor of Parks Library, which is my go-to spot on campus. It’s my first year as a peer mentor, and I can’t wait to meet and welcome you all to Iowa State!