By Katrina Hageman
Madison Vetter, graduating senior in biology, was chosen as the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Fall 2024 Student Marshal. Many have recognized her determination and hard work, which has led her to this prestigious honor.
Vetter arrived at Iowa State University with a goal of obtaining a degree in software engineering and working in the field of neuroprosthetic development. Even though she changed her major to biology, her passion for using science to improve the lives of others remains the same.
“It’s not wrong to figure out your life plans at a different pace than others,” Vetter said of changing majors two years into her academic career. “Iowa State has an incredible amount of resources, but perhaps the most important one to me was the faculty who supported me through my big decision and transition onto my new path.”
Lauren Ramos, academic advisor for biology majors, was one of those individuals who played a role in guiding Vetter.
“Once Madison realized her innate drive to help others was at the forefront of her future goals, she gained the courage and confidence to make a change,” Ramos wrote in a letter supporting Vetter’s nomination as student marshal. “Madison immediately connected with faculty, staff and students in her new major and began to thrive.”
After switching to biology and rediscovering her love and passion for human biological sciences, Vetter was motivated to get involved. She was a Biology Education Success Teams (BEST) peer mentor for two years and an Academic Success Center tutor for one.
“As a peer mentor and tutor, I got the opportunity to be the person I needed my freshman year,” Vetter said. “Helping students navigate both social and academic aspects of their undergraduate years was a fulfilling experience.”
Alongside mentoring biology and chemistry students, Vetter was an active student in Morrill Professor of genetics, development and cell biology Don Sakaguchi’s research lab. There, she focused on stem cell and tissue engineering and research.
Thanks to her great support network, Vetter maneuvered through her unique academic journey and created a path of her own. “I do not doubt that because of my academic advisors, professors and the opportunities given to me by Iowa State, I will succeed in my future endeavors,” Vetter said.
Following graduation, she plans on entering a career in healthcare and applying for medical school next fall.