Meet our student ambassadors
When applying for a business master's degree program, nothing is more valuable than hearing from someone who's in the thick of it. Graduate ambassadors are current Business Analytics, Finance, or dual Business Analytics/Finance graduate students. They are great resources for answers to your questions about life in Iowa City and the student experience at Tippie.
To connect with a Graduate Ambassador, you can either email the ambassador you would like to speak with at their email address listed below, or you can email Tippie Graduate Programs at tippie-grad-programs@uiowa.edu, who will get you in touch with an ambassador.
Abigail Miller
Program: Master's in accounting with a Concentration in Auditing and Financial Reporting
Email: amiller191@uiowa.edu
Hometown: Cayman Islands, Grand Cayman
Other degree(s) and college(s): Did an Undergrad degree in Business administration with a concentration in Accouting at the University College of the Cayman Islands
What interested you in Tippie’s program? I was looking for a program that would challenge me academically while also helping me grow professionally, and Tippie was the perfect fit. The auditing and financial reporting concentration aligns perfectly with my career goals, and I appreciate how the program’s coursework is tailored to prepare students for the CPA certification. Plus, the welcoming atmosphere created by the staff, alumni, and campus community made me feel right at home from the start.
Hobbies: I’m a big fan of crime and investigation shows, anything involving cops, FBI, or a good mystery will have my attention. I also enjoy watching Asian dramas for their unique storytelling and cultural perspectives. When I’m not relaxing with a show, you can usually find me at the beach, experimenting in the kitchen, curled up with a good book, or working on small creative projects.
Something I am looking forward to in the program: I’m excited to deepen my knowledge of auditing and financial reporting, connect with classmates from diverse backgrounds, and take advantage of networking opportunities with industry professionals.
Advice for potential applicants: Do your research on the program and think about how it aligns with your career goals. Be prepared to work hard, ask questions, and take advantage of the resources available to you. Most importantly, be open to new experiences and connections because the relationships you build here will be just as valuable as what you learn in the classroom.
Brian Collins
Program: MAc and MSBA
Email: brian-r-collins@uiowa.edu
Hometown: Bettendorf, Iowa
Other degree(s) and college(s): BBA in Accounting and Business Analytics from Tippie
What interested you in Tippie’s program? Tippie was one of the only programs that worked with me to pursue a dual degree in the Master of Business Analytics and Master of Accounting. This unique opportunity allows me to strengthen my expertise in both accounting and analytics, positioning me to tackle complex business challenges with a data-driven and financially informed approach.
Hobbies: Soccer, golf, reading, working on my car
Something I am looking forward to in the program: Gaining and developing in-demand skills while also sharing my knowledge as a Teaching Assistant for Managerial Accounting, giving me the opportunity to both learn and teach at the same time.
Advice for potential applicants: Research Tippie’s programs and make sure the degree aligns with your long-term career goals. Reach out to faculty and current students with questions—they can give you valuable insight into the program and Tippie’s culture. Talking with current students or alumni will help you understand the student experience and how the program can support your ambitions.
Edwin Holyoake
Program: Master’s in Business Analytics
Email: epholyoake@uiowa.edu
Hometown: Decorah, IA
Other degree(s) and college(s): BA in Business Analytics, Cornell College
What interested you in Tippie’s program? All of the opportunities that Tippie offers it’s students felt like a great opportunity to grow both academically and personally. The University of Iowa’s environment felt very welcoming.
Hobbies: Tennis, Pickleball, Reading, and Spending time with friends and family.
Something I am looking forward to in the program: Challenging myself in different ways to grow as much as possible in this environment and meeting lots of new people.
Advice for potential applicants: Tippie offers many opportunities to challenge yourself and grow so put yourself out there and try to do the things that interest you. It is a great way to meet people and also to expand your knowledge outside of the classroom.
Fabian Lopez
Program: Master of Accountancy, Taxation
Email: fabian-lopez@uiowa.edu
Hometown: Chicago, IL
Other degree(s) and college(s): BBA, Accounting at the University of Iowa
What interested you in Tippie’s program? Given that I was going to receive my undergraduate degree in accounting from Tippie, the idea of staying for 1 extra year was something that intrigued me. I’ve loved my experience in Iowa, so staying for another year was a no-brainer for me. I built great relationships with faculty in the program as well as with classmates, so I already knew Tippie’s program would feel like home. I also really like how the MAc program has various subprograms that you can pick from, giving your experience that customized feel to it.
Hobbies: Working out, playing soccer, pickleball, running, watching all kinds of sports.
Something I am looking forward to in the program: I am looking forward to my experience as a teaching assistant during my time in the program.
Advice for potential applicants: Do not be hesitant to reach out to faculty and current students if you have any questions or want to gain some insight on the programs offered. It would be very valuable if you could get out on campus and to get a feel for campus and all it has to offer.
Josef Lemker
Program: MSBA
Email: josef-lemker@uiowa.edu
Hometown: Cedar Rapids, IA
Other degree(s) and college(s): BBA Business Analytics University of Iowa
What interested you in Tippie’s program? I am looking to deepen my analytics understanding and gain new perspective to prepare for the workforce.
Hobbies: Playing sports, especially basketball
Something I am looking forward to in the program: Having the chance to dive deep into different technologies and methodologies in the analytical and technical fields.
Advice for potential applicants: Do what is best for you and where you want to develop, if you have an interest, explore it!
Liuchang (Avery) Gong
Program: MSBA
Email: liugong@uiowa.edu
Hometown: Shanghai, China
Other degree(s) and college(s): Bachelor in Finance, Tulane University
What interested you in Tippie’s program? The real-world applications and hands-on projects really stood out to me. I also like the school’s close connections to industry and strong alumni network.
Hobbies: Tennis, Music, Cats
Something I am looking forward to in the program: I’m excited for the hands-on projects and real-world business challenges. I’m also looking forward to networking with professionals and learning from industry leaders.
Advice for potential applicants: Be authentic and highlight what makes you unique. Show your passion for business analytics, reach out to current students or alumni for advice.
Marlee Squires
Program: Master of Accountancy
Email: marlee-squires@uiowa.edu
Hometown: Maynard, IA
Other degree(s) and college(s): Transferred to Iowa as a sophomore and earned my undergraduate degree in accounting.
What interested you in Tippie’s program? I was interested in Tippie because of the great faculty and the opportunities that the University of Iowa offers.
Hobbies: Watching Iowa sports, playing volleyball, and trying new foods.
Something I am looking forward to in the program: I’m looking forward to engaging with more of the Tippie faculty and getting to know other students in the program!
Advice for potential applicants: I would advise students to get on campus, if possible, during your application process and meet students/faculty. During my transfer process, I knew Iowa was a good fit for me as soon as I got on campus!
Natalie Brown
Program: Masters of Science in Business Analytics
Email: nbrown32@uiowa.edu
Hometown: Cedar Rapids, IA
Other degree(s) and college(s): I went to University of Iowa for my B.B.A. in Business Analytics and Information Systems, and Finance
What interested you in Tippie’s program? The sense of community within the program, all of the professional resources, and that the coursework is heavily project based to help simulate real-life scenarios.
Hobbies: Soccer, running, skiing, really any outdoor activity
Advice for potential applicants: Don’t doubt yourself! Always reach out and ask questions, whether it be about the curriculum, workload, or just to chat.
Reynold Tawiah-Quashie
Program: Master of Business Analytics
Email: tawiahquashie@uiowa.edu
Hometown: Accra, Ghana
Other degree(s) and college(s): Had my undergraduate degree in Jewlery and metal smithing at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Ghana, and I also have a Master's in Fine Art in Design from the University of Iowa
What interested you in Tippie’s program? A friend first told me about Tippie's program, which got me curious. After researching, I loved how it wasn't just about learning analytics but also embracing diverse perspectives. What really drew me in was realizing I wouldn't have to abandon my design background, instead, I could blend my experience with user feedback and trend analysis with data skills. Plus, the hands-on approach really appealed to me since I learn best by doing.
Hobbies: Watching Veritasium, Movies, Relaxing, and hanging out with family and friends
Something I am looking forward to in the program: What excites me most is finally combining my love for design with the power of data. I can't wait to learn how to tell compelling stories with numbers and work alongside classmates with different, ideas views and backgrounds. I'm genuinely curious about how my design perspective might help make data more accessible and meaningful for people.
Advice for potential applicants: My biggest advice is to take that leap of faith and trust the process. Coming from a completely different background felt uncomfortable at first, but I realized my design experience made me stronger in analytics. Work hard, stay curious, and don't underestimate how much you'll learn from classmates and friend with different views. Some of my most valuable insights came from casual conversations outside class. The relationships you build here will shape your career in ways you never expected.
Yang Shangguan
Program: MAc
Email: yangtian-shangguan@uiowa.edu
Hometown: Iowa City
Other degree(s) and college(s): Northwestern University, BA in Biology
What interested you in Tippie’s program? Flexibility in the tracks and room for my own interests – I’m particularly drawn to business analytics but it’s great that the MAc lets me explore different areas and even create my own unique path
Hobbies: basketball (especially outdoors in the summer), watching shows (can’t wait for new White Lotus/Severance), listening to music (pop, rap, dance/electronic)
Something I am looking forward to in the program: further developing my higher-level critical thinking and problem-solving skills while collaborating with my peers
Advice for potential applicants: Take time to explore all that Iowa City and the surrounding area has to offer.