The PodCAST

On this episode of the PodCAST, we sit down with Anna Weisbruch. Anna is a Medical Laboratory Sciences alumna from the Department of Health Sciences, and is currently a doctoral student in healthcare administration. Hear Anna describe life as a non-traditional student, juggling life responsibilities, and the process of finding the right career for you. Anna knows it’s the power of will that gets y...

On this episode of the PodCAST, we sit down with Ryan Wolber. Ryan is an alum of the Department of Technology and currently serves as a senior manager at EDF renewables. Hear Ryan describe navigating a double major, managing busy extracurriculars, and the importance of maintaining connections. Ryan advocates for leading by example.

On this episode of the PodCAST, we sit down with Lexie Schuring. Lexie is an alum of the Department of Family and Consumer Sciences, and currently serves as Case Manager for Community Brain Injury Services. Hear Lexie describe building her future in new town, getting involved on campus, and setting work-life boundaries. Also hear why getting out what you put in is so important.

On this episode of the PodCAST, we sit down with Victor Montgomery . Victor is an information technology alum and currently serves as IT Director of data services at Gaines co insurance, which is a subsidiary of State Farm Insurance Companies. Hear Victor describe finding his passion, his experience in job applications, and the importance of leading his team. Victor also outlines how connectivity...

On this week's episode of the PodCAST, we get a chance to hear from Shelley Lee, who is an alum of the Department of Family and Consumer Sciences. Shelley currently serves as Executive Director camp Hope Foundation. Listen as Shelley tells us about her experience navigating the new program, and how she has tackled working with both children and their families.

On this episode of the PodCAST, we sit down with Cathy Ferguson. Cathy is an alum of the Department of Health Sciences and currently serves as the administrator for the Lee County Health Department. Hear Cathy describe her experience in the COVID-19 pandemic, and the importance of setting boundaries. Cathy also describes how finding what you love is truly priceless.

On this episode of the PodCAST, we sit down with JR Peterson. Jr is an alum from the Department of Technology and currently serves as Senior estimator, water-wastewater specialist for River City Construction. Hear JR describe the nerve racking construction bidding process; and how those large-scale projects come together. JR also speaks on the importance of finding a mentor.

On this episode of the PodCAST, we talk with Leland Roling. Leland is an information technology alum and currently serves as the Director of Information Systems Development for GROWMARK. Hear Leland talk about finding his passion in IT. He also shares why learning matters more than you may think.

On this episode of the PodCAST, we sit down with John Cross. John is a friend of the college, who was the professor of the Department of military Sciences at Illinois State University. He retired from the United States Army at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in September of 2019 and now serves with Valor, a campus ministry focused on ROTC students at ISU. Dan shares stories from his various station...

On this episode of the PodCAST, we get a chance to sit down with Dan Butterly. Dan graduated from the School of Kinesiology and Recreation and currently serves as the Commissioner of the Big West Conference and the NCAA Division 1 athletic conference. Dan shares how how he switched to KNR after initially being political science and journalism major. He also gives some advice for students wanting t...

In this episode of the PodCAST, we get a chance to sit down with Julie Hewitt. Julie graduated from the Agriculture department here at ISU and is now the Executive Director of the Illinois Nutrient Research and Education Council. Julie shares her story of coming to ISU and changing her major to something she never expected to work in. She also talks about her time just out of college and the incre...

In this episode of the PodCAST, we get a chance to sit down with Flor Hernandez. Flor believed from the very beginning that she had a talent for the arts, and she has worked hard to achieve her dream through interior design and architecture. Listen as Flor shares about her experience as a first generation student, her time abroad, and her first introductions into the workplace.

On this episode of The PodCAST, we get a chance to listen to the story of senior care coordinator Nayeli Lechuga-Knight. Mrs. Lechuga-Knight shares about her experiences as a non-traditional student at ISU and her challenges of working a full time job, being a full time student, as well as a full time mother. Her incredibly work ethic is matched with an incredibly kind persona, and she provides wo...

On this episode of the PodCAST, we sit down with Brigadier General, Jackie Thompson. Jackie tells us his stories of paving his way through college, into law school, and beyond into the military. Jackie has incredible stories about the time he spent serving the nation and timeless advice on how to navigate life.

In today's episode of the PodCAST, we get a chance to sit down with Bill Engel. Bill is a graduate from the AG program and has a lot to share about his college experience in the 70's. Bill also shares a lot of valuable insight about his many years serving Brandt in several different roles and capacities. Tune in to this episode for some incredible insight and wisdom from Bill Engel!

On this week's episode of the PodCAST, we get a chance to hear from Cindie Cortinas-Vogt, who is an alum of the Physical Education Teacher Education Program. Cindie Currently works as a Physical Education Teacher at Washington Elementary School. Listen as Cindie tells us about her experience as a non-traditional student, and how through her unique experiences at college and grad school, she ha...

On this week's episode of the PodCAST, we get a chance to sit down with the Senior Director of Integrated Marketing for the Country Music Awards, Michelle Kirk. Michelle has many experiences at ISU that she recalls fondly, and she shares freely about how those life moments went on to shape future moments. Listen as Michelle dives into how making connections has shaped her career, and the highs...

On this week’s episode of the PodCAST, Dr. Jenny Ting talks us through her experiences as an international student at ISU, her trials at grad school leading into her initial job search, and her professional career at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Jenny shares about the value of encouraging mentorship, the struggles of working as a woman in a male dominated field, and how her “I...

On this episode of the PodCAST, we get to hear from Bobby Pillot, a Computer Systems alum that now serves at the Vice President of Service for North America at APB. Bobby shares about his time at ISU as a student athlete and the valuable skills he learned through that opportunity. He also speaks to the importance of putting people first and how hard work with discipline has put him in positions of...

On this episode of The PodCAST, we get a chance to talk with Jacquie Holland. Listen as Jacquie tells about her adventures in undergrad and the joys she shared along the way. Jacquie also shares a unique perspective on how failure leads to flourishing with her journey through grad school.

On this episode of the PodCAST, we have an opportunity to speak with Kiara Daniel. An alum of the Department of Agriculture, Kiara now works at Kubota Tractor as the Product Manager RTV accessories. Through her story we'll hear how getting involved on campus put her in the position to get a great job right out of college. Her experiences here at ISU and overseas as a study abroad student helpe...

In the episode of the PodCAST, Department of Agriculture alum, Tori Smith, takes us through the story of awkward moments that lead to awesome success. Tori shares the importance of community in her life. Through 6 different RSO's in college, a wide base of clientele in her job, and the Big Brother Big Sister program, Tori has learned to adapt to any situation.

On this week's episode of the PodCAST, Retired Brigadier General, Michelle Letcher, will share how she went from a private at the bottom of her class, to a brigadier general in charge of thousands of people. Michelle tells of how she managed deployment, family, and school, while breaking down the many lessons she learned along the way.