Recent graduate outcomes
![CORE 2023 stats](/files/styles/inline_image_left_right/public/2024-06/163-268_2023_STATS.png?itok=0Vbv2pOA)
99% of the surveyed Augustana Class of 2023 said they were in graduate school or employed within six months of graduation.
Data was collected from students who graduated from Augustana College in Summer 2022, Fall 2022 and Spring 2023. Data was collected through a collaboration between the Offices of Institutional Research and Career Development, and compiled by Laura Kestner-Ricketts, executive director of career and professional development, March 2024.
![Christian Elliott](/files/2024-06/thumb_10_Christian_Elliott_magazine.jpg)
Elliott '20 brings home Webby Awards for NASA
Christian Elliott '20 recently traveled to New York City for the 28th annual Webby Awards to accept honors for "Suiting up for Space," the April 2023 episode he wrote and produced as an intern for the podcast "NASA's Curious Universe."
![Danny Ford in Greece](/files/news/Danny_Ford_Greece_0%5B1%5D.jpeg)
How to start a dream job right after (or before) graduating from Augustana
Three 2024 grads show what can happen with curiosity, internships, good challenges and support from their Augustana success team.
![Ben Castro](/files/news/Castro_Ben%20%281%29.jpg)
Castro ’21 positioned to ‘help be the change in the Illinois Quad Cities’
A project led by Ben Castro ’21 to better understand uneven food access and food insecurities within QC MetroLINK’s service area placed fourth in a national competition. The project is tied to Castro's Senior Inquiry for his geography major.
![Alyssa Motzel](/files/news/Alyssa%203.jpg)
’16 grad combats newborn mortality in rural Kenya
By developing curriculum to teach neonatal resuscitation protocol to medical practitioners in Mutomo, Kenya, Dr. Alyssa Nelson ’16 Motzel was determined to not only teach her peers, but also help them continue to train others.
![Taylor McGinnis](/files/alumni/McGinnis_Taylor.jpg)
“Realizing that I wanted to become a teacher was a great surprise to me. I had never thought about it until sophomore year, but I now realize it's one of the best decisions I've ever made.”Read More
![Andrea McNally](/files/alumni/McNally_Andrea.jpg)
“Four years ago, I had no intention of being a nurse but I am now very excited to start this next chapter.”Read More
![Brandon Motzel](/files/alumni/Motzel_Brandon.jpg)
“I never expected to get to know professors so well, and it has made a huge difference in my college career.”Read More
![Catie Nelson](/files/alumni/Nelson_Catie.jpg)
“Don't say ‘no’ to the opportunities that seem outside your comfort zone. These are the things that will stay with you after you leave your Augie home.”Read More
![Ashley Newell](/files/alumni/Newell_Ashley%20copy.jpg)
“I never would have guessed I would be graduating with two majors and a minor, especially in fields I never really saw myself in. These past four years have allowed me to find my passion, and that is such a great feeling.”Read More
![Long Nguyen](/files/alumni/Nguyen_Long.jpg)
“I used to be a shy and skeptical person, but now I have been able to make and maintain multiple relationships with those I never imagined I would have four years ago.”Read More
![Eleanor Nolan](/files/alumni/Nolan_Eleanor.jpg)
“My professors have all been amazing mentors and helped me grow in the way I think about the world while also helping me recognize the capabilities I didn’t realize I had.”Read More
![Sarah Oberg](/files/alumni/Oberg_Sarah.jpg)
“My Augie experience definitely would not have been the same without CORE.”Read More
![Helen Offerman](/files/alumni/Offerman_Helen.jpg)
“One of the biggest things that I have learned is that I am very independent. Augustana has helped me to realize this by living off of campus and through studying abroad.”Read More
![Mayu Oya](/files/alumni/Oya_Mayu.jpg)
“I will miss the close family aspect of Augustana, whether it is from faculty or classmates. There are also so many places to study or hang out with friends on campus.”Read More
![Urid Pacillas](/files/alumni/Pacillas_Urid.jpg)
“I am surprised that I feel a sense of sadness when I think of graduating, but Augie has really become a home away from home.”Read More
![Jeff Prior](/files/alumni/Prior_Jeff.jpg)
“Pushing myself academically, athletically and through the clubs I was involved in was what allowed me to achieve what I did here.”Read More
![Linnea Ritchie](/files/alumni/Ritchie_Linnea.jpg)
“Through the amazing professors at Augustana, I discovered my love of genetics, and this love took me down a whole new path!”Read More
![Omar Rizvi](/files/alumni/Rizvi_Omar.jpg)
“Don't be afraid to go outside of your comfort zone. You’ll regret it if you don’t.”Read More
![Kelsi Rogers](/files/alumni/Rogers_Kelsi.jpg)
“I always thought I would stay in the Midwest for my whole life, but because of Augie, I have a chance to start a new adventure in a completely different and exciting area of the country.”Read More
![Mae Ruzek](/files/alumni/Ruzek_Mae.jpg)
“Take a class that is outside your comfort zone and way outside of your intended major. You might just end up finding your passion and love for learning.”Read More
![Ben Ryan](/files/alumni/Ryan_Ben.jpg)
“Stay open-minded and discover things for yourself, whether it’s about a professor, club, class, organization or classmate—you’ll never know what can happen.”Read More
![Keith Sands](/files/alumni/Sands_Keith.jpg)
“Augustana has opened me up to all sorts of different philosophies, ideologies and viewpoints. I am now a much more confident and self-assured person.”Read More
![Kristen Santoro](/files/alumni/Santoro_Kristen.jpg)
“My professors, advisors and bosses have helped me immensely by serving as passionate and enthusiastic role models for me as I found my niche at Augustana.”Read More
![Austin Schoeck](/files/alumni/Schoeck_Austin.jpg)
“In the last couple of years, my teammates and I have helped to transform the culture of the tennis program to one of hard work and perseverance both on and off the court.”Read More
![Ryan Silvola](/files/alumni/silvola_ryan.jpg)
“The peak experience had to be when we won General Excellence at ICPA because it really showed all of the hard work everyone at the Observer puts into the paper.”Read More
![Stephanie Sorrentino](/files/alumni/Sorrentino_Stephanie.jpg)
“I am surprised by how much I have grown as a person. After meeting new people and traveling to Ecuador, I have realized that the relationships you build are the most powerful tool you can have.”Read More
![Joey Strain](/files/alumni/Strain_Joey.jpg)
“I traveled the country and taught at the Alpha Boys School in Kingston, Jamaica. This trip was one of the most moving experiences of my life and helped reinforce that teaching is the right career path for me.”Read More
![Rebecca Strandberg](/files/alumni/Strandberg_Rebecca_0.jpg)
“I hope to be part of the JETs program and teach English in Japan for at least a year! After that I plan to teach first or second grade here in the States.”Read More