MJ Ketcha recently started medical school and reflects on the experiences that got him there.

A deep love for their alma mater, a belief in the importance of philanthropy, and a desire to ensure student wellness all motivated Scott ’82 and Laura Cleveland Shepherd ’82 to make a generous gift of $1 million to support student health and wellness services at Grinnell College.

Maria Rossi ’25 grew very familiar with most, if not all, parts of campus. She received abundant support from her professors, staff members, swim and dive teammates, classmates, and friends.

First-year medical student Kayla Figatner ’22 says that a Grinnell education is perfect for people considering a career health care.

When Tristan Davis ’25 first visited Grinnell College, it was the small classes and close faculty relationships that drew him in. But what he found in his four years as a student extended well beyond the classroom: a deep connection to the community, an opportunity to engage in meaningful local work, and, ultimately, the inspiration to pursue a graduate degree abroad in the growing field of environmental humanities. 

This summer, Grinnell students explored the Four Corners region through three programs: a Grand Canyon outdoor recreation trip, a Colorado social justice institute and internship, and a Mentored Advanced Project (MAP) traveling to a Wyoming archaeological excavation.

Jamie Friedman joined the Center for American Progress, where she works as a climate policy analyst focused on clean energy transition and reducing pollution from high-emitting industrial facilities.

Suha Gillani ’16 has built a career driven by curiosity about how sustainability can help business unlock growth responsibly.

Jonathan Gilmour ’19 is a cofounder of The Impact Project, a nonpartisan data and research initiative that makes data about government change more transparent and actionable.