The University of Iowa graduating class of 2023 identified 1,122 faculty and staff members who made a positive difference in their lives via the UI Senior Exit Survey. Those who are mentioned by five or more students are listed in bold.
To celebrate these exceptional members of the UI community, we have provided a snapshot of five faculty members from the list and comments from some of their students. These educators embody the university's commitment to excellence in teaching and learning, serving as prime examples of the dedication, passion, and commitment our faculty and staff bring to shaping the lives and futures of our students.
Colleen Bringman
Colleen Bringman joined the College of Engineering in 2016 and teaches courses in biomedical engineering design and modeling. Known for her authenticity and approachability, she creates an engaging learning environment where students feel comfortable participating in class and developing their skills. By incorporating real-world projects that connect students to other parts of the university and the community, she provides valuable hands-on experiences that prepare her students for success in the medical device industry.
Bringman is committed to building relationships with her students, who appreciate her positive attitude and the constructive feedback she provides. She enjoys brainstorming with her students to think collectively about and solve complex biomedical engineering problems.
“[Professor Bringman] is not only knowledgeable on the subjects covered, but is one of the most personable professors I have had the pleasure of learning from. She works to build relationships with every student to ensure an engaging learning environment, which is probably why her courses are in such high demand.”
- Andrew Usachev, Biomedical Engineering major from Iowa City, IA
Kelly Danaher
Kelly Danaher joined the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences in 2019. With a passion for sharing her love of social psychology with her students, she strives to create an active and engaging learning environment that meets the needs of her students while recognizing they have complex and dynamic lives. Danaher takes pride in watching her students grapple with complex ideas, apply course concepts to the real world, and develop compassion and kindness for themselves and others.
She has enjoyed experiencing the intellectual growth of her students throughout their time at Iowa, starting as first-year students and progressing to the point that she is now able to write letters of recommendation for them as they pursue graduate school or a career.
“Kelly's lecturing style facilitates both class engagement and thorough learning. She seeks to connect with her students and makes the topics applicable to real life.”
- Eden Conroy, psychology major from Naperville, IL
Jennifer Haylett
Jennifer Haylett joined the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences in 2015. Inspired by her own transformative experiences with mentors as a first-generation college student, she decided to pursue a teaching-focused career to support students and encourage lifelong learning. She tries to have a positive impact on her students' educational experience by being flexible, empathetic, and respectful of their busy lives.
Haylett allows her students to express themselves in the classroom, creating a supportive environment that helps them develop their intellectual skills. She has been impressed by the high levels of critical thinking shown by her students and enjoys seeing them apply the things they are learning to their own lives and the world around them.
“I have worked with Professor Haylett as a student and mentee and can attest that she is one of the most understanding and engaging professors on campus. She goes above and beyond to engage in discussion with students on the lecture materials and is always inspiring students to dive deeper into the course content.”
Marissa Good, sociology major from Marion, IA
Packy Moran
Packy Moran joined the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences in 2014 and has played a critical role in helping build a Sport and Recreation Management program that emphasizes hands-on learning and guidance to ensure student success post-graduation. Through partnerships with numerous sports organizations, Moran provides his students with real-world experiences that help them build skills, develop connections, and determine the role they want sports to play in their lives.
He uses real world examples to link the core principles of a course to the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed in the sports management world. After providing students with the experience and freedom to figure out their goals, Moran works hard to help them achieve their vision.
“Packy is one of the most selfless people I have ever met. For years he has gone out of his way to help me have the best college experience and hopefully post college life possible. Whether it’s office hours, giving a name to reach out to for a job or even just being an ear to listen in a time of need, he’s done it all for me and so many others!”
Noah Segal, sport and recreation management major from Buffalo Grove, IL
Richard Peter
Richard Peter joined the Tippie College of Business in 2015. Students praise him for his caring attitude and passion for the topics he teaches. He makes a deliberate effort to connect with students on a personal level, keeping an open-door policy, making them feel comfortable reaching out for help, and often staying in touch after they have completed his class or even after graduating.
Peter also provides his students with opportunities to gain real-world experience, such as the Enterprise Risk Management class where they work on a semester-long consulting project with different companies. He tries to leverage technology available in the classroom and credits the Tippie College of Business for offering many resources to help foster a great teaching environment.
“Professor Peter is everything you look for in a teacher. He's incredibly knowledgeable, energetic, communicates effectively, and provides industry-relevant course material. He is one of the only professors I know to take the time to learn every one of his student's names. It's evident that he cares about his students as people.”
Matthew Mandzen, business analytics and information systems major from Stillman Valley, IL