Celebrating Iowa’s spring 2025 grads

As the latest cohort of Hawkeyes prepares to graduate, we laud all they have accomplished.

Published: May 7, 2025

This spring, nearly 5,500 University of Iowa undergraduate, graduate, and professional students will earn degrees. These Hawkeyes have engaged, excelled, and stretched to reach their goals.

When Maya Monk of Polk City, Iowa, chose to attend Iowa to study biology, she couldn’t have imagined that she would end up working with 13,600-year-old mastodon bones. But that’s where an inquiry into research opportunities on campus led her. Not only did the experience teach her about paleontology and preservation techniques, but it also was fun, and she says she’ll be able to use the skills she learned as she enters the workforce.

Eric Dowe, who grew up in Story City, Iowa, cheering on the Hawkeyes with his grandfather, is earning an MS in business analytics and an MS in finance. He says the real-world experience he got as a UI student, including managing more than $2 million in a fixed-income portfolio and helping a local client expand their business, prepared him well to work as a financial analyst for Collins Aerospace in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

Ella McDaniel came all the way from New Hampshire to serve in the coveted role of UI Golden Girl, the Hawkeye Marching Band’s scholarship baton twirler. She enjoyed her time at Iowa so much that, after graduating with a degree in exercise science, she plans to stay on campus and work toward a Master of Science in Athletic Training, while also helping to train her Golden Girl successor.

Also staying in town after graduation is Noah Hermanson of Marshalltown, Iowa. He didn’t intend to become a dentist like his father and grandfather before him, but he couldn’t deny the pull to work with patients and provide the best care possible. So, after completing coursework at Iowa in enterprise leadership and interdepartmental studies, he will become the third generation in his family to attend the UI College of Dentistry.

When Genevieve Martinez was hospitalized as a child, she was so impressed by the level of care she received that she decided to become a nurse. It was no surprise that the Atlantic, Iowa, resident chose to attend the University of Iowa, which offered a top-ranked nursing education in her own backyard. After graduating with a BSN in May, she will work as an emergency room nurse and continue her UI education in the Doctor of Nursing Practice program.

Year after year, our students have pushed to achieve more and to come together for the greater good — that’s the Hawkeye Way. As this cohort of new graduates enters the next stage of their lives, they leave campus full of potential and promise.

If you or a loved one is graduating this fall, find ceremony information at the UI Commencement website.

Spring 2025 statistics

3,682

undergraduate degree applicants

1,815

graduate/professional degree applicants

3.32

average undergraduate cumulative GPA

17 %

undergraduates with multiple majors

19 %

undergraduates who identify as first-generation

101

graduating students who identify as Veterans

70

age of the oldest degree recipient

19

age of the youngest degree recipient

iowa map with certain counties shaded gold

81

Iowa counties represented

u.s. map with certain states shaded gold

42

U.S. states and territories represented

world map with certain countries shaded gold

70

countries represented, including the U.S.

Because the final number of graduates will not be available until just before ceremonies begin, these statistics pertain to degree applicants.

Popular areas of study

Iowa’s spring 2025 graduates will bring their talents to vital parts of the workforce — here in Iowa, across the U.S., and around the world. Here are some of the more popular majors, minors, and certificates among spring 2025 undergraduate degree applicants.

Business Analytics and Information Systems

Economics

English and Creative Writing

Finance

Management

Marketing

Psychology

Sport and Recreation Management

What are previous grads doing?

Of the Hawkeyes who graduated in the 2023–24 academic year:

96% found a job, continued their education, or are not seeking employment.
Their median salary is $60,320.
25% chose to continue their education.

These are our latest stats and they come from a survey of graduates completed six to seven months after graduation. More about Hawkeye grads and student outcomes is available at the Pomerantz Career Center.

Get to know our graduates

Ben Cooper will graduate from the University of Iowa in spring 2025 with a BS in biology on a neurobiology track and EMT certification through the Iowa Health Care Emergency Medical Services Learning Resources Center.

Graduate spotlight: Ben Cooper

It was through his classes and professors at the University of Iowa that Ben Cooper discovered a love of neurobiology. It was through his work with Undergraduate Student Government that he found a love for working with people and advocating for them. These discoveries led to what he plans to do next with his life.

University of Iowa grad Brenda Ramirez with a Herky statue and an Iowa sign out of focus in the background

Graduate spotlight: Brenda Ramirez

As a high school student, Brenda Ramirez thought it would be cool to work in public office someday. That "someday" happened when she became a Hawkeye, serving for three years on Undergraduate Student Government capped by a term as vice president. Ramirez will graduate this spring with a BA in political science and BA in economics.

Ella McDaniel, who served at the University of Iowa's Golden Girl for four years, will graduate in spring 2025 with a a BS in exercise science on the pre-athletic training track.

Graduate spotlight: Ella McDaniel

Graduate spotlight: Emily Mozena

Emily Mozena was born in Iowa but grew up and lived in various places around the world thanks to her father’s job in the State Department. In fact, her family was preparing to move to England when she was deciding where she wanted to go to college. Her sister had already moved to Iowa City to go to the University of Iowa, so Mozena decided to follow her.

Graduate spotlight: Eric Dowe

After graduating with a BA in actuarial science and BA in business administration from Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa, Eric Dowe started looking at grad schools. “The University of Iowa had the exact program that I was looking for,” says Dowe, who will graduate this spring with an MS in finance and MS in business analytics.

University of Iowa grad Genevieve Martinez standing near the pond by Art Building West

Graduate spotlight: Genevieve Martinez

At age 10, Genevieve Martinez spent two weeks in a hospital, during which she was inspired by the nurses who cared for her. Martinez will graduate this month with a Bachelor of Science in nursing from the University of Iowa, where she spent the past year serving as president of the Student Nurse Association.

Kaleb Young will graduate in spring 2025 with a PhD in civil and environmental engineering.

Graduate spotlight: Kaleb Young

When Kaleb Young started studying at the University of Iowa, he wanted to become a doctor. And while he’ll gain that title, it will not be an MD like he originally planned but a PhD with a focus in flood mitigation.

Kisara Thompson will graduate in spring 2025 with a Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD).

Graduate spotlight: Kisara Thompson

Kisara Thompson grew up in Singapore, and when it came time to choose a college, she only applied to one. “I only applied to the University of Iowa for undergrad, and I only applied to the University of Iowa for pharmacy school,” says Thompson, who will graduate this spring with a Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD). “I have no regrets whatsoever.

Graduate spotlight: Mallory Obenauf

While being treated at UI Health Care for severe scoliosis over the years, Mallory Obenauf found a home away from home, a passion to work in health care, and a lifelong mentor in her doctor. “It was an easy decision to come here not only for undergrad, but also dental school,” says Obenauf, who will graduate this month with a DDS from the UI College of Dentistry.

University of Iowa grad Max Willis standing in the journalism building, with tv screens in the background

Graduate spotlight: Max Willis

Max Willis is a storyteller — a multifaceted one, at that. “I can write, I can work in front of and behind the camera, I can do graphic design, I can do video editing or photo editing, I can fly a drone — I feel really well prepared,” says Willis, who will graduate with a BA in journalism and mass communication, BA in African American studies, and minor in sport and recreation management.

Maya Monk standing near a mastodon skull, which is being braced and resting upon sandbags

Graduate spotlight: Maya Monk

Maya Monk never could have predicted when she went looking for a research opportunity at the University of Iowa that she would end up working with 13,600-year-old mastodon bones. “It’s been such an incredible experience to get to work on this,” says Monk, who will graduate this spring with a BS in biology.

University of Iowa grad Megan Mindy in front of a public health backdrop

Graduate spotlight: Megan Mindy

Megan Mindy is grateful to have found multiple opportunities to combine her interests in working in health care and working with the disability community while at the University of Iowa. To start with, she’ll graduate this spring with a BS in public health and a minor in inclusive recreation.

Noah Hermanson will graduate in spring 2025 with a BA in enterprise leadership and interdepartmental studies (health science-multidisciplinary science) on the pre-dental track.

Graduate spotlight: Noah Hermanson

Noah Hermanson this fall will become a third-generation University of Iowa College of Dentistry student. “I guess you could say dentistry is in my blood, and I bleed black and gold,” says Hermanson, who will graduate this spring with a BA in enterprise leadership and interdepartmental studies (health science-multidisciplinary science) on the pre-dental track.

Celebrating Iowa’s spring 2025 grads