Samantha Westphal

Urbandale, IA

Senior; Human Physiology

Research Assistant; Dr. Ruth Grossman, Dr. Terry Wahls (previously)

Marketing Co-Director; The ImmUNITY Campaign Ambassador; Honors at Iowa Orientation Leader; University of Iowa Orientation Services

How has your involvement in various organizations helped further your leadership skills?

As an Orientation Leader, my communication skills improved drastically. From that experience, I learned how to have fun with presentations, which helped create a more relaxed environment in my student groups and allowed everyone to connect more easily. My involvement in student organizations such as The ImmUNITY Campaign, a global vaccine advocacy group, has also helped me improve my time management skills. There are a lot fewer excuses to procrastinate when people are relying on you as a leader and expecting you to get something done. The great thing about my campus involvement is these experiences have given me an opportunity to develop crucial skills and a sense of accountability that I will need in any future career.

What have you gained personally from those positions?

I have gained a sense of direction for my life. The first two years of my college career were filled with uncertainty. Although I loved science and working with others, I just couldn’t envision myself becoming a doctor, nurse, or any other healthcare professional. Through my involvement with Dr. Wahl’s clinical research at UIHC, I have discovered that I can have meaningful interactions with people, while still making significant contributions to science. Specifically, witnessing the impact that diet has on the health and quality of life in patients with multiple sclerosis, has motivated me to pursue a career in the preventative health care field.

What will your legacy ultimately be?

If I had the chance to give my brother (now a freshman at Iowa), or my student orientation groups one piece of advice, it would be to collect as many experiences as you possibly can here. Say yes to (almost) everything!

"I’ve found that by prioritizing things like research, student organizations, and study abroad opportunities among other things in my life, I can graduate with a peace of mind, knowing I made the most out of my education at The University of Iowa."