When Alan started looking for a college he knew exactly what he wanted, and it didn’t take him long to find it.

"Iowa State fit the profile of the type of school I was searching for in an undergraduate experience," Alan said. "It had a competitively ranked program for computer engineering, and it was the best choice for me financially."

Opportunity overload

Iowa State was great choice for Alan beyond academics. During his college career he was a Government of the Student Body (GSB) senator, Carver Academy Peer Mentor, McNair Scholar, National Conference on Race and Ethnicity (NCORE)/Iowa State Conference on Race and Ethnicity (ISCORE) participant, and Freshman Honors program member.

He was vice president of community service for the National Society of Collegiate Scholars. Alan also was a presenter for the College of Engineering on study abroad programs after he spent a semester studying in Wales and the United Kingdom.

"I feel that the opportunities I took advantage of while I was a student at Iowa State have opened numerous doors to me such as employment, travel, leadership opportunities, and future education," Alan said.

Throughout his time at Iowa State Alan completed four summer internships. This past summer her interned at Lexmark (a developer, manufacturer, and supplier of printing and imaging solutions) in Lexington, Kentucky, where he developed applications for development support.

Becoming the best

Alan was awarded a National Consortium for Graduate Degrees for Minorities in Engineering and Science, Inc. (GEM) Fellowship; He also got accepted to Princeton University’s master’s program for electrical engineering which he began in the fall.

"While at Iowa State I learned a lot about how to start a career," Alan said. "Including how to develop my skills, build my resume, and interact with employers."

"Iowa State is very special to me. I think my experience there was unique among all the schools I could have gone to, and the four years I spent there was the time of my life. Iowa State helped me to be the best person I could be."
In-CY-tful Info
Undergraduate Degree: Computer Engineering, 2006.
What are you doing now? Attending graduate school at Princeton University.

What is your favorite Iowa State memory?

Many fun times with my friends that I will always remember.

What is your favorite Iowa State tradition?

Campaniling! (Tradition states a student officially becomes an Iowa Stater when he or she is kissed under the campanile at the stroke of midnight).

Where was your favorite spot on campus?

I loved playing piano in the basement of Music Hall when I had the spare time between classes.

If you had one word to describe your Iowa State adventure what would it be?

Diverse.