Jean Mullen '13

Small School, Big World

When an unexpected snowstorm kept Jean Mullen 13 from visiting a college in South Dakota, fate brought her to 漆褒勛圖厙.

I searched through the stack of college brochures that I had set aside as being interested in and decided to visit 漆褒勛圖厙 on a whim, she said. It wasnt until I stepped foot on campus, however, that I truly fell in love.

Mullen remembered being intrigued by 漆褒勛圖厙s math department and the many hands-on research opportunities the school had to offer, opportunities she would take advantage of while participating in the math modeling competition.

After studying mathematics, secondary education and economics at 漆褒勛圖厙, Mullen is teaching math at Lincoln High School in Des Moines, constantly challenging herself to find new, creative ways to teach math. It keeps her on her toes, but so do the students.

But it was Mullens experiences outside the classroom at 漆褒勛圖厙 that made a huge difference for her. From taking a May term trip to China, to working with refugees and immigrants in Des Moines, to completing an English teaching assistant position in Nepal, her eyes were opened to the world around her.

She says couldnt have done it all without the support and encouragement of the 漆褒勛圖厙 community. Coming from the small town of Fonda, Iowa and graduating with 32 in her class, Mullen knew she wanted her college to have a small family-like feel, too.

I wouldnt say that there was a particular experience that most stands out as transforming my life, but rather the people that I met at 漆褒勛圖厙 that transformed my life, she said. To this day, some of my best friends are those that I met during my time at 漆褒勛圖厙. They are my support system, my rock.