Article written by Hope Anderson, Catt Center public relations and events planning intern
The Legacy of Heroines program, coordinated through the Carrie Chapman Catt Center for Women and Politics, provides scholarships to outstanding students of various majors who are interested in gender and politics, the political process, public service, and women’s leadership. Scholarship awards are based on academic merit, leadership and specific criteria established by scholarship donors, and the scholars participate in events and activities through the Catt Center.
The 2024-2025 Legacy of Heroines scholars are:
Amber Adams – Meylor Family Legacy of Heroines Scholarship
A junior from Rockford, Iowa, majoring in psychology with a minor in criminal justice, Amber Adams has many things she loves about Iowa State. “I have created some of my best memories and cultivated so many new friendships and connections at Psych Club,” Adams said. “We have met with professors and graduate students in the field and gotten perspectives from other students about how they are approaching their degree at Iowa State and what steps they are taking towards grad school, a career, and just living for now and de-stressing.” In the future, Adams wants to attend graduate school and become a substance abuse counselor within local government to help raise awareness of the prevalent issues surrounding drug and alcohol addiction and abuse in our families and communities.
A sophomore from Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, studying scientific illustration and visualization (previously called biological and pre-medical illustration), Injir Batmunkh is the president of the Animation Club and is a member of the Pre-Medical Club. One of her favorite things about campus is its beauty in the fall. Her goal for the future is to study applied art in medical science at Johns Hopkins University after graduation. For the rest of her time at Iowa State, she wants to get more involved in research and motion design/animation.
Fabiola Sofía Braudakis Caro – Claire B. Andreasen Legacy of Heroines Scholarship
A sophomore from Aguadilla, Puerto Rico, Fabiola Sofía Braudakis Caro is majoring in animal science on the pre-vet track. She is the event coordinator for the Puerto Rican Student Association and is in several pre-vet clubs. One of her favorite things about Iowa State is the community and the opportunity to experience the changing seasons. Braudakis Caro said, “It’s truly beautiful to witness the transition from summer to fall and fall to winter. The people here are incredibly kind, and I’ve grown so much since I arrived.” She also enjoys learning from her professors and getting hands-on experience with animals in the lab. During her remaining time at Iowa State, she is eager to dive into research projects on animal studies and embark on a study abroad adventure to immerse herself in new cultures. She is excited to graduate to further her education in veterinary medical school.
Katlyn Carr is a senior majoring in global resource systems and environmental studies with a minor in political science from Ames, Iowa. She is a member of the Political Science Club and the Philosophy Club. After graduation, Carr plans to further her education in political science and environmental systems.
A junior from Marion, Iowa, majoring in chemistry and international studies, Avery Carlson said that one of her favorite spots on campus is Lake Laverne. “My friends and I like to put hammocks up by the lake and do homework. It’s a great way to enjoy the fall/spring weather while still getting schoolwork done,” she said. After she graduates, Carlson hopes to work as a research and development chemist in cosmetics while also getting a master’s degree in cosmetic sciences.
A junior from Quincy, Illinois, Addy Cunningham is majoring in kinesiology and health with a minor in psychology. She is involved in Dr. Stegemöller’s Alternative Medicine and Music for Parkinson’s Disease laboratory, where she assists with the singing/vocal therapy group for people with Parkinson’s disease and helps with data analysis for lab projects. She also works as a resident assistant on campus, is an ambassador for the College of Health and Human Sciences, and is a member of the Pre-Health Club and the Pre-Occupational Therapy club. “My favorite class currently is Health Studies 350: Human Diseases,” Cunningham said. “I plan to graduate in Spring 2026 and then attend graduate school to become an occupational therapist.”
A senior from Des Moines, Iowa, Jordan Cunningham is majoring in anthropology and political science with a minor in Middle Eastern studies. She a member of the Model Arab League, Alternative Breaks at Iowa State, and Plurality Partners Club. She is a Catt Center intern, working on the Archives of Women’s Political Communication, and also works as a student circulation specialist at Parks Library and a research assistant with the Department of Political Science.
A junior from Norwalk, Iowa, Brynn Davis is majoring in dietetics with a minor in general business. She is a part of Students Helping Our Peers (SHOP) and the Student Dietetic Association, and is an undergraduate teaching assistant for FSHN 3600: Advanced Nutrition and Regulation of Metabolism in Health and Disease. One of her favorite things about Iowa State is the football games. She loves tailgating with friends and family and cheering on the Cyclones in Jack Trice Stadium. She hopes to enter a master’s program for clinical nutrition, complete her official dietetic internship, and then take the RD exam to become an official registered dietitian nutritionist.
A sophomore from Rock Rapids, Iowa, Lilyann Downard is majoring in aerospace engineering with a minor in nondestructive evaluation. She participates in the Women in Science and Engineering program (WiSE), the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA), and the Society of Women Engineers (SWE). She also performs in two on-campus choirs, Cantamus and Count Me In. Her favorite place on campus is the Student Innovation Center, and she said, “The large windows and fun seating make it great for studying, and all the workshops available are really cool. I hope to make it into the glass-blowing studio sometime.” During the rest of her time at Iowa State, she hopes to get more involved in research, continue participating in music, make positive contributions to our community, and learn more about herself.
A senior from Marion, Iowa, Stacia Drey is majoring in political science and journalism & mass communication with a minor in ethics. Drey is involved in the Iowa State Daily and the Political Science Ambassadors, and plays intramural sand volleyball. One of her favorite classes at Iowa State was Dirk Deam’s media class. She said, “It taught me to think and analyze things that applied to all the other areas of my life.” She is currently applying to law schools for admission in the fall of 2025.
A junior from Savage, Minnesota, Brooke Friese is majoring in kinesiology with a minor in psychology. She is the Philanthropy co-chair on the Honors Student Board and a Pre-Physical Therapy Club member. She said her favorite things about Iowa State are the Student Innovation Center, Parks Library and the Honors Program. She plans to attend graduate school for physical therapy and specialize in sports medicine in her career.
A sophomore from Tripoli, Iowa, majoring in English with a minor in world film studies, McKenna Harken is involved in Sketch, Iowa State’s literary magazine. One of her favorite things about Iowa State is the English department: “All of the professors have a genuine passion for the classes and helping students succeed.”
A junior from Cleveland, Ohio, Jess Kowalski is double majoring in global resource systems and animal ecology with a minor in Spanish. Kowalski is a peer mentor for the GLOBE learning community, a GLOBE ambassador, a pollinator bioacoustics research assistant, and a member of the Honors Program. One of her favorite things about Iowa State is the Outdoor Recreation Program and the rock-climbing trip she took to Sandstone, Minnesota, through that program. Kowalski said, “I challenged myself physically and mentally, formed a community, and found a new passion in climbing.” She plans to study abroad next spring in Peru for field studies. She strives to achieve a Ph.D. in wildlife ecology and conservation and conduct research in the future.
A senior from Cambridge, Iowa, Emily Lanza is majoring in sociology with a minor in psychology. Lanza is the president of the Sociology Club. Her favorite thing about Iowa State is the campus. “I love walking around campus every day!” she said. “My favorite place to study is in my office in East Hall since it’s so quiet and peaceful!” She plans on pursuing a master’s degree in public administration and would love to get a job before she graduates in the spring.
A junior from Ames, Iowa, Annabella Marquez is majoring in criminal justice with a minor in political science. She enjoys walking around campus later in the evening. Marquez said, “It’s nice to see the Campanile and all of the other buildings when it’s dark outside when everything looks so pretty.” She wants to get more involved on campus because she is a transfer student. In the future, she wants to attend law school after taking a gap year to work.
A sophomore from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Jensin McMickle is majoring in political science. McMickle has been involved in Mock Trial Club, podcasts, the Bridging Opportunities in Leadership and Diversity (BOLD) learning community, TRIO, Start Something Academy, and projects at the Center for LGBTQIA+ Student Success. One of her favorite places at Iowa State is the Student Innovation Center study spaces. Her goal for the rest of her Iowa State career is “to stay involved and get the best out of my education as I can!”
A junior from Marshalltown, Iowa, Andrea Montes Melendez is majoring in public relations. Melendez is a part of the Public Relations Student Society of America, Latinx Student Initiatives and UNIDAS. Her favorite part about Iowa State is walking around campus and visiting different buildings to find new places to study. She also loves how many resources Iowa State offers. She said, “From counseling to interview prep, I am taking full advantage of all the help I can use to have the best experience here.” In the future, she wants to work for an international company or non-profit and use the skills she has learned to serve as a public relations director.
A sophomore from Ankeny, Iowa, Alyssa Neddermeyer is majoring in animal science. She is a part of the Pre-Vet Club, Block & Bridle, and Collegiate 4-H. Her favorite thing about Iowa State is that “it is where I have met some of my favorite people in my life.” She plans on pursuing a doctorate in veterinary medicine and opening her own large- and small-animal practices.
Melina Reverol – Beth Bierbaum Legacy of Heroines Scholarship
A sophomore from Windsor Heights, Iowa, Melina Reverol is majoring in computer science with a minor in music technology. She is a part of the Air Force ROTC, the BOLD learning community, TRIO, Stem Scholars, First Scholars, and Fencing Club. One of her favorite things about Iowa State is its friendly and helpful environment and a smoke-free campus. She is on a five-year track and hopes to be commissioned into the United States Air Force after graduation.
A junior from Summit, Illinois, Brianna Rivera is majoring in public relations with minors in design studies and general business. Rivera is a Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) member. One of her favorite things is visiting her uncle’s farm in Carlisle, Iowa. She said, “It’s a nice change of pace from the busy Windy City.” After graduation, she wants to start her own entertainment public relations firm in Chicago. She wants to enter the entertainment industry as a PR professional because music is one of her greatest passions.
A senior from Redwood Falls, Minnesota, Sophia Schmitz is majoring in electrical engineering. One of the favorite classes Schmitz has taken was WiSE 201: Women in Science and Engineering. She said, “The class was full of women also majoring in traditionally difficult STEM classes. This was impactful for me because my class in electrical engineering has very few women, so the WiSE 201 class helped me feel more at home in my major. We also carved pumpkins at Rieman Gardens, a nice break from our other classes!” Her goal for the rest of her time at Iowa State is to stay involved in research that will help her learn skills used in her industry. She is not sure which industry she wants to work in yet but has found renewable energy and the application of electrical engineering in the medical field fascinating.
Phuong Thanh Thuy Tran – Elizabeth Hoffman and Brian R. Binger Legacy of Heroines Scholarship.
Phuong Thanh Thuy Tran is a senior in software engineering.
A sophomore from Grimes, Iowa, Campbell Valline is majoring in political science with a minor in women’s and gender studies. Valline is involved in the Honors Program, co-leading a first-year student seminar. She is also a voter engagement intern and an undergraduate research assistant for the Catt Center. Outside of school, she is a member of Gamma Phi Beta, attends Kairos Student Ministry, and participated in the fall musical productions of Head Over Heels by Iowa State’s music and theatre department. Valline said, “I have loved the activities I participated in at Iowa State. They have opened so many opportunities, both academically and socially.” In the future, Valline hopes to be accepted into the concurrent master’s program at Iowa State University to graduate in four years with a master’s degree.
A sophomore from Adel, Iowa, Aliya Yanga is majoring in public relations with minors in political science and criminal justice. Yanga is involved in the College Democrats, Elections Commission for Student Government, Thomas L. Hill Iowa State Conference on Race and Ethnicity (ISCORE) and NCORE, BOLD learning community, and Public Relations Student Society of America. Her favorite thing about Iowa State is Lake Laverne, especially during the fall. “My goal for the rest of my Iowa State career is to become more immersed within public relations entangled with politics, hoping to gain an internship,” Yanga said. “In the future I would like have the opportunity to practice public relations for politicians and or campaigns.”