Admissions

Transfer Student Profiles

Biology student makes the grade and the play at Simpson

Joey HajduchSimpson College was always a favorite for Joey Hajduch, so when he decided to transfer from another four-year college he knew exactly where to go.

"I always liked Simpson, everything about it-the small class sizes, sports, opportunities and the people. Everyone is so nice here," he said.

As a junior biology major, Hajduch loves Simpson because it keeps him busy. He enjoys spending time on campus and being close to Des Moines, the city he grew up in.

"There is always something to do here," he said. "All of the activities that the college plans for you are enough to keep you busy."

Hajduch stays active on campus. He's a member of the baseball team and a community assistant in Buxton Residence Hall, both experiences that he said he's learned a lot from.

"Experiencing life in Buxton is very interesting. Every student is different, but everyone can also hang out and get along with everyone else," he said. "On the baseball team we all interact well because we live on campus together and are always at the same places. This makes it easier to be a tightknit group."
Academically, the personal attention at Simpson has met all of Hajduch's highest expectations.

"Simpson is very personable. All of the professors have their doors open and you don't even have to make an appointment," he said. "I chose a liberal arts education to be well-rounded and it's working for me."

Hajduch plans to find an optometry internship this year and expects to achieve more success on the baseball field."I also want to get to know more people and professors and find a mentor," he said.

Hajduch hopes other new transfer students will take advantage of all of that Simpson has to offer.

"Be outgoing and don't just stay in your room," he advises. "Go to Religious Life events and Campus Activities Board events. Take your life into your own hands - Simpson helped me do that."

Simpson internship leads political science student to nation's capital

John parkerAn ideal location and strong reputation in political science were all the reasons John Parker needed to choose Simpson College. After spending his freshman year at another college, Parker reassessed his goals. "I was looking for something different - someplace I could get a great education and feel at home. Simpson was the perfect match."

In his first semester on campus, Parker learned a great deal about the inner workings of policy and lawmaking through his coursework. He was encouraged by his faculty advisor to pursue Simpson's Capitol Hill Internship Program (CHIP). Soon, he was packing his bags and heading to Washington, D.C., along with two other Simpson students.

The CHIP program places college students in service organizations, business and government jobs in the nation's capital. The political science major spent five months in Washington, D.C., working for Iowa Sen. Charles Grassley, chairman of the powerful Senate Finance Committee.

"There are many facets to the finance committee: tax, trade, fraud and investigations and health. Most of my work was under the health section, particularly Medicare and Medicaid. I also researched projects with executive privilege, meth and children's welfare and hospital research. I learned so much - things I never could have gotten just in the classroom."

Parker recommends other students participate in the CHIP program. "You receive a full semester of credit and get to live in D.C. There are internships for all majors and the CHIP director is good about matching students with positions they are interested in. I never would have imagined I'd be working side by side with a senator."

When he wasn't working on Capitol Hill, Parker spent his free time taking in the sights and sounds of the nation's capital. "I made a lot of new friends and had the time of my life. This is a great opportunity for anyone wanting to explore a new city and take on a new challenge." With a major internship under his belt, this senior looks forward to his next goal, attending graduate school.

Service-learning, sports help transfer student thrive at Simpson

Janay MichelJanay Michel wanted a small school atmosphere and more one-on-one attention from her professors after finishing her associate's degree at Southwestern Community College. It didn't take the Farragut, Iowa, native long to decide on Simpson.

"When I came on my visit I thought the Spanish program seemed very cool, then I met with a professor and it was great. Coming to Simpson was an easy transfer."

Michel played volleyball at SWCC and liked the idea of playing at Simpson.
"I really wanted to play for a Division III program and the team welcomed me," she said.

Simpson's long list of opportunities and comfortable community environment made it easy for Michel to get involved on campus. Last semester she devoted her free time to the Lilly Initiative for Vocational Exploration, an on-campus resource that allows students to explore possible vocations through service-learning. She became a Wesley Service Scholar by volunteering at a non-profit service agency through Breakfast Club, a group that meets once a week for breakfast with children.

Michel also participated in the Haven Club, an after school program for reading, writing and social skills activities with Des Moines area school children. By volunteering at the Catholic Worker House she gained experience assisting students with inner-city building projects, serving meals and attending mass.
Michel has also excelled at Simpson in other areas. She looks forward to pursuing Simpson's exciting internship opportunities and wants to study abroad.

"There's a lot to do at Simpson and a lot of campus events," she said. "I feel like I am working hard and finding the help I need. I'm learning a lot."

Michel said that she chose Simpson because everyone on campus was extremely helpful and she felt she could ask Gwen Schroder, director of transfer enrollment, anything and be pointed in the right direction.

Last Updated: 1/22/09