Meet Elizabeth!

Hi, I’m Elizabeth Mohr, a student at Iowa Valley Grinnell. I graduated from high school in 1977, never attended college, married right away, joined the workforce, and raised a family. 

Recently I decided to attend Iowa Valley Community College here in Grinnell (at the suggestion of my daughter Erin, who is taking classes here also).  Erin told me it was fun and exciting and I should do this for myself.

When I walked in the front door of the college a year ago, I had a million questions and I asked them all! My head was spinning, but the staff was so gracious and caring. They answered all my questions to MY satisfaction, helped me make a step-by-step plan to get started, helped me fill out the FAFSA, discussed possible majors with me, and directed me to resources. One of those resources was the Peer Mentoring program, with mentors who could help me and answer questions along the way.  In reality, the Iowa Valley Grinnell staff empowered me with information, pointed my feet in the right direction, and turned me loose. I left with such a good feeling and I knew right then that this was one of the best decisions I had ever made.

Through the mentoring program, I have met many wonderful people who have become close friends during the past year. One special name comes to mind: Staci Kriegel. Staci has been a fountain of knowledge, patiently walking me through the process of ordering books and even brainstorming an accounting problem with me (until we were both blue in the face); when we finally found the answer, we cheered!  Staci has never made me feel like a burden. She has been an exemplary leader and a great resource, even keeping me in the loop with helpful email reminders when deadlines and fun calendar events were coming up.  Staci has truly been my mentor.

Now my goal, as a member of the Iowa Valley Grinnell Student LEADERS Program, is to help new students feel welcome and find the resources they need to succeed. Being a Student LEADER isn’t just an assignment or job, it’s something that defines who we are and reflects our sense of synergy with our school. Our acronym LEADERS stands for Learn, Educate, Academics, Diversity, Excellence, Recruit, Retain, and Success. I believe this is a perfect opportunity to bring a sense of unity and commitment to education, to our school, and to the students here by empowering them with resources, pointing their feet in the right direction, and helping them make their dreams come true.