Successful Alumni
Coe religion graduates have acquired positions in teaching, social work, law, business and theater. Some have gone on to graduate studies in these same fields as well as in religious ministry, community service, and politics. Here are some examples of what Coe religion graduates are doing now.
Christopher Brummitt from Coe in 2013 with degrees in philosophy and religion. Originally from Olathe, Colorado, he returned to his home state where he is a third-year law student at University of Denver Sturm College of Law. He has served as a student attorney for the Environmental Law Clinic at DU where he worked with public interest groups engaged in law suits regarding fracking in Colorado. He has also interned with the 18th Judicial District Attorney's Office where he tried cases under a supervising attorney in county court.
"The number one thing that has shaped my experience at and after my time at Coe would have to be my faculty advisors. All of the professors I worked with have helped me to shape how I look at problems, interact with people, and have worked to become the type of person I want to be. Without the dedicated faculty, everything else Coe prides itself in would not likely exist."
Kristine Gift graduated in 2013 with a double major in history and religion. Kristine completed a master's degree at Princeton University in the Department of Near Eastern Studies. She is currently a client account manager at Cyber Grants, where she works with corporate clients to administer a variety of giving programs including matching gifts, volunteer logging, volunteer matching, grants, and disaster relief.
"My experience at Coe was one of mentorship, and this was key to my success after graduation. The good advice and unwavering support given to me by professors in the history and religion departments helped me develop strong research and writing skills, and they motivated me to apply ambitiously to graduate programs across the country. I am constantly using the skills I honed at Coe in my graduate studies at Princeton, and professors at Coe continue to be both friends and mentors."
Isaac Fox-Poulsen graduated in 2012 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in religion. After working at Waypoint Services in Cedar Rapids as the Compliance Specialist for Homeless and Housing Services. Isaac completed his Masters in Social Work, and is system administrator for the Homeless Missourians Information System (MoHMIS), dedicated to working with the City of St. Louis Continuum of Care to end homelessness.
"My time at Coe allowed me to grow, not only academically, but as a whole person. The liberal arts degree I earned at Coe allowed me to adapt to working in victim advocacy and support - a very different field than my religion major. My academic advisor, other professors and staff at Coe encouraged me to do my best, and their support allowed me to become who I am today."
Kellie Griffin graduated in 2010 with a Bachelor of Arts degree, double majoring in religion and philosophy. After graduation, she served for one year as an Iowa Campus Compact AmeriCorps VISTA member working in the Office of Service-Learning and Campus Engagement at Coe. Kellie is currently taking classes at McCormick Theological Seminary in Chicago to pursue at Master of Divinity degree.
“I had a great experience at Coe. I don't think I could have asked for better professors within my majors. They did a great job of both supporting me and subtly challenging me to grow both as a student and as a person. I think it is, in part, due to their encouragement that I am now pursuing my Master of Divinity degree. I received a great education and had a great time doing it!”
Brianna Wright graduated in 2010, majoring in history with a minor in religion. Originally from Albia, Iowa, she is currently earning her master’s degree in museum studies at George Washington University, in Washington, D.C. In addition to her studies, Brianna worked at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, and is now the Curator of the Museum of African-American History in Cedar Rapids.
"Coe provided me the foundation to be successful after I graduated, both professionally and personally. Professors were always supportive, while challenging me to move out of my comfort zone and develop the skills I needed to feel confident moving on to the next stage of my life. The Coe experience will stay with me: in the friends that became family, the knowledge I gained in and out of the classroom, and the memories that I will always have."
Leta Keane graduated in 2009 with Bachelor of Art degrees in Religion and Creative Writing. She is currently living in Denver, CO and working as a web copywriter at GreenTent Web Design & Development.
"I work for a small, passionate web design company. My education and experiences at Coe - a small but passionate school - equipped me with the skills I use daily in my profession. Liberal arts education encouraged me to think critically and objectively, granting me a unique, wide-angle perspective in a narrow-minded world. Working as a Writing Center consultant gave me confidence in communicating with clients, learning their needs and helping them find creative solutions. But, most importantly, Coe fostered an indelible dedication to the pursuit of knowledge and excellence that sets me apart from the crowd."
- Amy Wiegert (religion), graduate of Lutheran School of Theology and currently an Associate Pastor in Galesburg, IL.
- Cheryl McCullough (religion and business administration), graduate of Princeton Theological Seminary, now pastor at First Presbyterian Church in Springville, IA.
- Marisol Bigler (religion), MSW from University of Wisconsin and currently a therapist in Royal Oak, MI.
- Judith Meyers Cooke (religion), graduate of Princeton Theological Seminary, working as a pastor in Connecticut.