STUDENT AFFAIRS - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Program Specialist
- Program Specialist II
Cara Fila is a Program Specialist II in the COA office. She received a BA from Dominican University. Cara has worked at Iowa State since 2017. Cara is responsible for supervising the Student Accountants, maintaining the Instagram page for our fish, and decorating the office for homecoming! She has won the top award for two years straight!
Job Titles:
- Associate Vice President for Student Health and Wellness, Director, Thielen Student Health Center
Job Titles:
- Accounting Manager
- Manager of the COA
Jamie Barker is the manager of the COA office and received her BS in Accounting from Iowa State University. She also obtained her CPCP certification in summer 2022. Some of Jamie's favorite things to do outside of work is riding her motorcycle and supporting military veterans. Jamie has been on staff at ISU since February 1998.
Jill joined the Iowa State University staff in summer of 2023 after working in healthcare. Jill enjoys being back in the education field due to the positive atmosphere and seeing young adults pursue their dreams. Jill has two adult children and enjoys gardening, traveling around Iowa, and bicycling with her husband.
Job Titles:
- Staff Member at ISU
- Strategic Communications Advisor for the Division
Katy Cran serves as Strategic Communications Advisor for the Division of Student Affairs. In this role, Katy oversees communication strategies on behalf of the division and Senior Vice President for Student Affairs, Dr. Younger. Additionally, Katy partners across campus representing the division creating opportunities for Cyclones to excel.
Katy has been a staff member at ISU since 2011. Prior to joining the Office of the Senior Vice President for Student Affairs, Katy served as the inaugural Coordinator of Communications and Strategic Initiatives for the Dean of Students Office. Before transitioning into communications, Katy was the Assistant Director in the Office of Greek Affairs (now Office of Sorority and Fraternity Engagement). She also did a brief stint in the Office of Admissions traveling upper Iowa and Wisconsin as a recruiter. Before she joined the Cyclone family as a graduate student in 2009, Katy traveled throughout the United States and Canada as a Collegiate Development Consultant for Delta Gamma Fraternity.
Katy has a Master of Education in Higher Education from Iowa State University and a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies from the University of Iowa. Katy is married to her high school sweetheart (and ISU alum!) and looks forward to the day when her two daughters attend Iowa State (class of 2037 and 2039).
Job Titles:
- Administrative Assistant
- Senior Executive
- Senior Executive Administrate Assistant
Megan Peterson serves as the Senior Executive Administrative Assistant to the Senior Vice President for Student Affairs. Megan has been a staff member at ISU since 2014. Prior to joining the Division of Student Affairs, Megan worked in the Office of the Senior Vice President and Provost. Megan received her Associate's Degree from Des Moines Area Community College and her Bachelor's Degree in Communication Studies from Iowa State University. In her free time, Megan enjoys reading, running, cheering on the Cyclones, and spending time with friends and family.
Job Titles:
- Associate Vice President for Campus Life, Director, Department of Residence
- Iowa State University As the Associate Vice President
Michael Harwood joined Iowa State University as the Associate Vice President for Campus Life and Director for Residence in August 2023. Harwood has over 30 years of experience in student affairs. Prior to his arrival at ISU, he served in senior leadership positions, including associate vice president for student success at Minnesota State University Moorhead and assistant vice president and assistant dean of student life at North Dakota State University.
Job Titles:
- Senior Budget and Finance Specialist
- Treasurer of Aggie Pride
Rachel Boenigk (they/she) attended Texas A&M University where they obtained both a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and History as well as a Master of Public Service Administration. Also, while at Texas A&M, Boenigk co-founded Pride Community Center. Boenigk went on to work as a Research Assistant at the Board of Governors for the Federal Reserve System. Boenigk also helped found the LGBTQIA+ employee group at the Federal Reserve.
In 2013, they were recruited back to the family business. During their tenure, Boenigk helped oversee a division acquisition and a product line relaunch. After their stint as Project and Product Manager respectively, Boenigk served as a Territory Sales Manager, Sales Manager for the Systems division, National Sales Manager, finally ending as the Vice President of Sales when they departed in July 2020.
Boenigk left the family business to pursue a career at Iowa State University. They currently serve as the Director of Administrative Services for Student Affairs. In this role, they oversee budgets, provide financial analysis, and consult on strategic initiatives for all of the units within the Division of Student Affairs.
Boenigk is currently the Treasurer of Aggie Pride, Texas A&M's LGBTQIA+ Former Student Constituent Network. They married their wife, Elizabeth, in 2015. They both are parents to three awesome kids.
Job Titles:
- Associate Vice President
- Dean of Students
Sharron Evans, Esq., brings more nearly three decades of higher education and student affairs experience to the topic of university governance and policy. As Associate Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students, her portfolio includes oversight of 13 departments and three programs, including Student Conduct, Student Legal Services, Student Accessibility Services, Student Support Services (TRIO), the International Students & Scholars Office, and a number of academic support services units as well as cultural centers.
Job Titles:
- Student P - Card Administrator
Tim is the Student P-card Administrator for the office and has worked with COA since 2011. Tim received his BS in Accounting at Iowa State University.