E-News - February 2026
Kohawks rise to the occasion with high leverage internships during Washington, D.C. Term
There are powerful experiences at Coe that can simultaneously solidify your career direction and generate lifelong memories. A group of students spending the Fall 2025 term in Washington, D.C. were able to soak in a classic Kohawk trip while making headway in their career choices.
A backbone of Coe’s Washington Term is hands-on learning opportunities. In conjunction with the Capitol Hill Internship Program (CHIP), students embark on tours, engage in networking events and complete internships to complement coursework. The internships Kohawks landed this year were particularly impactful for the four students in D.C.
Carlie Miller ’27, who is triple majoring in psychology, sociology and social & criminal justice, interned with Bruckheim & Patel which is a small, criminal defense firm. She worked closely with two attorneys in their office. As someone who is gearing up for a career in law, this internship was perfect for courtroom exposure and exploring different facets of the legal field. Miller even used the Coe network to zero in on the opportunity — a good friend who participated in Washington Term the previous year alerted her to the internship.
“This is truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for students to develop and progress their careers, and what better city to do it in than our nation's capitol? There are so many amazing opportunities to intern in the legal field in D.C., and I knew this was the best possible experience for both my future career and myself,” Miller said.
The responsibilities and experiences Miller had in her internship included reviewing and summarizing body camera footage, drafting legal documents such as a Notice of Appearance, assisting in trial preparation and preparing Grand Jury witnesses. Miller was able to attend court hearings, prison visits, client meetings and a homicide trial.
Miller entered Washington Term most interested in criminal defense law, but open to all other opportunities, including law school preparation and expanding her law network. After her internship concluded, Miller was able to narrow her focus for her future.
“I am very grateful that I was able to learn and experience criminal law from the defense standpoint, but it also opened my eyes to other areas of law more suited for me. I am interested in exploring future internships in prosecution, personal injury and medical malpractice, as well as corporate law,” Miller said. “Working at a law firm has also helped me set the goal of having my own practice in the future. I could not be more grateful that my time in D.C. was the first step in doing so.”
Landen Powell ’26 secured a position as a labor policy intern on the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee for ranking member Bernie Sanders. The economics and business administration major stayed busy writing summaries of major labor-related events and submitting a weekly report of all active labor strikes in the country. In addition, Powell regularly participated in committee hearings, conducted labor law research, attended policy events and helped prepare legislative information for Senator Sanders to co-sign.
Powell, who is also considering a career in law, started Washington Term hoping to learn more about labor issues, economics and the political process.
“It was a great life experience and really good preparation for law school,” Powell noted. “It has definitely made me want to continue a labor-related law career.”
Other D.C. work opportunities for Kohawks included internships with Senator Chuck Grassley and the Corn Refiners Association.
The sights, sounds and lessons learned will stick with these Kohawks for years, like they have for many other Coe alumni who have had similar experiences.
“My decision to participate in the Washington Term was truly the best decision I could have ever made. I can speak for my fellow students in the program that this is an incredible experience and it will certainly make a difference in our future careers. I am so grateful for the opportunity to experience D.C., and I have learned so much more than I could have ever imagined. Going to D.C. was definitely outside of my comfort zone, but it was genuinely the best months of my life, and I would not be the person I am today – or the future attorney I will be – without this experience,” Miller said.
Cultivating the Next Generation: C3’s LinkedIn Initiative
As an alum, you know the transition from the classroom to the professional world is as much about who you know as what you know. To ensure our current students are prepared for this leap, C3 is offering a LinkedIn workshop series to help students create a strong profile and learn why an authentic profile can make a huge difference in their professional development.
In a landscape where 70–85% of jobs are filled through networking rather than public boards, a student’s LinkedIn profile is no longer optional. It is crucial for students to understand how to utilize the platform as their primary professional gateway and these hands-on workshops are designed to help students enhance their LinkedIn presence. From headlines and summaries to photos and skills, students will learn best practices to ensure their profile stands out to employers. Also, with candidates being 10 times more likely to be hired via referral, we emphasize the importance of identifying and reaching out to the school's extended professional family. If you're active on LinkedIn, be on the lookout for possible connection requests from current Kohawks!
An Invitation to Reconnect: March 31st
We'll also host Get COEnnected, our student-alumni networking event on March 31st in the Clark Alumni House!
For alumni, this event is more than a social gathering; it is an opportunity to connect with students and provide the "insider perspective" that only someone who has walked this path can offer. You may also reconnect with former classmates, meet fellow professionals in your industry, and identify promising students who are looking for their next opportunity. Your participation reinforces the value of our alumni community and supports students as they consider where their career path may lead!
NCAA DIII Wrestling Championships return to Cedar Rapids
Cedar Rapids is once again set to become the center of the collegiate wrestling world as it hosts the Division III Wrestling National Championships on March 13 and 14. The high-stakes competition will take place at the Alliant Energy Powerhouse in the heart of downtown Cedar Rapids, bringing together top athletes and fans for one of the most significant weekends of the season. For local alumni and supporters, the tournament’s return to Cedar Rapids offers a premier opportunity to celebrate the sport's rich tradition within the community.
The weekend’s social activities begin on Friday, March 13, with an informal gathering at Big Grove in Cedar Rapids, coordinated by wrestling alum Bob Yilek ‘84. The Office of Alumni Engagement will host an additional gathering on Saturday afternoon at Need Pizza, an easy and convenient downtown location for fans leaving the final sessions of the tournament. Need Pizza will be a central hub for the Kohawk community to gather immediately following the action and pizza will be provided for alumni and friends of Coe. Additionally, coaches and athletes may have the opportunity to stop by and celebrate with the community after the competition concludes.
While the deadline for the initial reserved seating block has passed, fans can still secure their spot at the championships. Individual tickets are still available for purchase and details about the championships can be found on the Alliant Energy Power House website. We look forward to seeing many of you throughout the weekend, both in the arena and at our alumni gatherings!
A degree in demand – Coe’s new risk management/insurance concentration
Risk management is a fast-growing, in-demand field fueled by economic uncertainty, changing regulations and the need to stay ahead of everything from financial risk to wild weather. Coe’s newly launched risk management/insurance concentration will allow Kohawks to dive into this exciting career path with hands-on experiences through internships and industry connections in Cedar Rapids, plus interactive classes led by highly accessible professors. With a strong business foundation and one of the few risk management and insurance concentrations offered at a small private college, Coe prepares students to think smart, adapt fast and stand out in the job market.
Progress with Purpose Presidential Tour
The Progress with Purpose: Presidential Tour is officially underway, featuring Coe College President David Hayes ’93 traveling across the country throughout 2026 to engage with the Kohawk community. This multi-state road trip aims to host eight alumni gatherings, designed to strengthen alumni connections and build momentum around the college’s Strategic Framework. Each stop offers a unique opportunity for alumni, parents and friends of the college to hear directly from President Hayes about Coe’s proud past and vibrant future while enjoying conversation with fellow Kohawks and members of the Board of Trustees.
The tour kicked off its first leg in Iowa, starting with a successful gathering at Biaggi's in West Des Moines on January 29. The momentum continued last week, on Friday, February 20, as the tour returned to Cedar Rapids. It was a fantastic celebration at the Pickle Palace, attended by many alumni, local Cedar Rapids leaders, faculty, staff and Board of Trustees members.
Following the Iowa stops, the road trip heads south to Plano, Texas, on March 5 for an evening at Sixty Vines. After a brief hiatus in April to focus on Day of Giving and graduation preparations, the tour resumes in late May with back-to-back stops in Milwaukee (May 20) and Chicago (May 21). The summer schedule remains busy, with President Hayes traveling to Denver on June 9 and Washington, D.C. on June 11, before concluding the announced tour dates in the Twin Cities on July 9.
While all events are free to attend, alumni are encouraged to register in advance through the college's website or specific city event pages. For those who have recently moved, updating information on Coe Connect is recommended to ensure invitations reach the correct regional audience. Questions regarding registration or upcoming stops can be directed to the Alumni Engagement team at alumni@coe.edu.
Register for an upcoming tour stop here!
The Kohawk journey starts here
A campus visit can make all the difference when choosing a college, just ask any Kohawk. Many will tell you their visit to Coe was the moment everything clicked. Here, it’s more than classes and homework — it’s meaningful connections, real-world experiences and memories that last a lifetime.
If you know a high school student who would make a great Kohawk, let us know with this simple form or encourage them to schedule a visit today at www.coe.edu/visit!
Wave if you Love Coe!
Kohawks couldn’t help but smile and wave when they spotted a sign that read, “Wave if you love Coe!” And honestly, there’s so much to love, from lifelong friendships and inspiring professors to unforgettable moments all over campus. At Coe, it’s the little moments and big experiences that make students proud to be Kohawks.