CLASS OF 2025:
Ari Ziegler is a Culver Fellow from St. Paul, Minnesota, where he graduated from Henry Sibley Sr. High School. At Simpson, he is active in Speech & Debate and on the Culver Center’s Programming Committee.
Andrew Flory is a Culver Fellow from Kansas City, Kansas, where he graduated from Piper High School. He plans to major in International Relations and Political Science, with a minor in philosophy with an emphasis on ethics. Andrew designed the website for a candidate running for the Missouri House of Representatives in 2020. He is a member of the Simpson Speech & Debate team. After graduating from Simpson, he hopes to go into polling analysis or run for office at some point himself.
Abby Fry is a Culver Fellow from Kansas City, Missouri and graduated from Lee’s Summit North High School. She is majoring in International Relations and Social Justice Studies with minors in Spanish and Legal Studies. She serves on the Culver Center’s Voter Engagement Committee and is involved with Simpson Speech and Debate, Campus Activities Board, Kappa Kappa Gamma, and the Honors program. Abby plans to attend law school to become a human rights attorney after graduating from Simpson.
Carson Cummings is a Culver Fellow from Story City, Iowa. While in high school Carson was active in mock trial, speech, Boy Scouts, and shooting sports. Carson has a passion for civic engagement and volunteerism, earning the rank of Eagle Scout. While at Simpson College, Carson is majoring in Political Science and minoring in English and Legal Studies. Carson is on the Simpson Shooting Sports Team where he won a national championship title and earned All-American status. He is also a member of the Simpson College Mock Trial Team. Following his time at Simpson College, Carson plans to attend law school and continue his passion for American politics.
Elijah Keopuhiwa-Carvalho is a Culver fellow from Kealakehe High School in Kailua Kona, Hawaii. He is majoring in Criminal Justice and Environmental Science with a minor in Coaching. His goal is to become a police officer or a game warden/wildlife conservation officer. At Simpson, he plays football and plans to be involved in student clubs and other outside organizations. He appreciates the great opportunities available through the Culver Fellowship.
Ilianna Murphy is a Culver Fellow from West Burlington, Iowa. She is majoring in Political Science and Social Justice Studies. While at Simpson she is involved in Interfaith Programming, Student Government, and the Campus Activities Board. She has gained valuable experience working with a multi-client government relations firm that lobbies at the Iowa State Capitol. After graduating, Ilianna plans to attend law school and become a public defender.
Jay Ceperley is a Culver Fellow originally from Hastings, Nebraska but now living in Clive, Iowa. Jay graduated from Hastings Senior High where he was a varsity swimmer and a member of National Honors Society. Jay is a double major in Political Science and History. At Simpson, he is also a captain of the Men's Swimming program. He hopes that as a member of the Culver Fellowship he can help build a more politically active community in the Central Iowa Area.
Jeremyah Garland is a Culver Fellow from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, currently studying physics and engineering. In his free time, he plays football at Simpson. After graduation, he would like to continue to play football for a couple of years and pursue a career in Aerospace engineering.
Ryan Corcoran is a Culver Fellow from Sioux Falls, South Dakota where he graduated from Harrisburg High School. He is double majoring in English and Political Science on a Pre-Law track with minors in honors, history, and Legal Studies. As a sophomore, he is involved on campus with Speech & Debate as both a competitor and the UGA of public forum debate and is a member of band, jazz band, and orchestra.
Teagan Townsend is a Culver Fellow who spent her high school years in Kansas City after growing up in the city of Boston. Teagan is Psychology and Criminal Justice major with a minor in Honors. She hopes to eventually add a minor in Legal Studies, as well. Teagan plans to go to law school after finishing her undergraduate degree.
CLASS OF 2026:
Jacob Cokeis Culver Fellow from Creston, Iowa. In High School, Jacob participated in student government and speech. Jacob serves on the Culver Fellows Voter Engagement Committee, represented Simpson College at the SNF Ithaca National Student Dialogue at the Biden School of Public Policy & Administration at the University of Delaware, and participated in a presidential candidate town hall with former vice president Mike Pence. Jacob is majoring in Political Science and International Relations. After Simpson, Jacob plans to attend law school.
Brooklynn Ecklin is a Culver Fellow from Lenox, Iowa and a graduate of Lenox High School. In high school, she was involved in basketball, track, volleyball, softball, drum major of the marching band, and served as class president for all four years. At Simpson, she plans to major in Criminal Justice and minor in Human Services. After graduating, she plans to attend law school. Brooklynn is excited to help the Simpson Community being involved the Culver Fellowship.
Landan Fetters is a Culver Fellow from Altoona, Iowa, where he graduated from Southeast Polk High School and was active in National Honor Society and 4-H. At Simpson, he is a member of the Culver Center’s nonpartisan Voter Engagement Team. Landan is in the Honors program at Simpson and plans to major in religion.
Jake Gioffrediis a Culver Fellow from Indianola High School in Indianola, Iowa. At Simpson, he plans on majoring in Neuroscience with a Pre-Optometry concentration, and he is currently involved with the Cannabis Reform Club, Simpson Democrats, and the Pre-Health Society.
Zach Harnden is a Culver Fellow from Clive, Iowa. He graduated from Dowling Catholic High School, where he served as Class President and participated in Football, Debate, 4-H, and NHS. At Simpson, he plans to major in Political Science and be an active member in Speech and Debate and the Pre-Law Society. He is currently a field representative for Kim Reynolds’ gubernatorial re-election campaign and plans to attend law school.
Lauren Jermain is a Culver Fellow from Raymore, Missouri where she graduated from Raymore-Peculiar High School. She plans to major in Biology and attend medical school after Simpson. She is involved with the Women’s Basketball team, Wesley Service Program, and FCA. She is very excited to make a difference in the community.
Nick MacKrell is a Culver Fellow from Des Moines, IA where he graduated from Central Academy and Roosevelt High School. His current major is undecided, but Political Science and English are his main fields of focus. Through the Culver Fellowship he wishes to learn more about Political Science and hopes to increase voter participation during his time at Simpson College.
Cameron Martin is a Culver Fellow from Raymore, Missouri where she graduated from Raymore-Peculiar High School. She plans to major in Biology and attend medical school after Simpson. She is involved with the Women’s Basketball team, Wesley Service Program, and FCA. She is very excited to make a difference in the community.
Ellee Mortensen is a Culver Fellow from Cambridge, Iowa and graduate of Ballard High School. At Simpson, she is majoring in Data Science and hopes to work as a sports statistician in the future. She is in the Honors program and a member of the Simpson softball team, for which she does data analysis. Ellee is excited to be a Culver Fellow in order to explore both her political and civic passions
Adrell Mulgrew-Truitt is a Culver Fellow from Juneau, Alaska and graduate of Juneau Douglas High School. He plans to major in engineering. He is involved in the Simpson Swim and Dive team. He is looking forward to working with the Culver Fellows and getting more into politics.
Savannah Skaggs is a Culver Fellow from Nevada, Iowa, where she graduated from Nevada High School. She has a double major in Political Science and Psychology with a minor in Legal Studies. Savannah is on the pre-law track to go to law school after Simpson. She is also a Speech and Debate, Pi Beta Phi, and Panhellenic Council member.
Ashlyn Steen is a Culver Fellow from Mount Vernon, Iowa where she graduated from Mount Vernon High School at the top of her class. She plans to major in Political Science and pursue law school after college. At Simpson, Ashlyn is a member of the softball team and plans to be involved in other student clubs and activities. She is excited to be involved in the Culver Fellowship for the opportunity to expand her connections and experiences in the political realm.
CLASS OF 2027:
Allison Sigaran is a Culver Fellow from Des Moines, Iowa, who graduated from East High School. She plans to major in Political Science and possibly double major in Social Justice Studies. Allison plans to be involved in politically active events to learn about the government and local politics. She knows Culver Fellows will expose her to more political events and is excited about the opportunities to engage civically in Iowa.
Brooke Reiling is a Culver fellow from Carroll, Iowa, where she graduated from Carroll High School. She plans to major in Psychology and Political Science. She is a member of the Simpson Dance team and the Speech and Debate team. She plans to attend either graduate school or law school after graduating from Simpson.
Denise Alvarado Lopez is a Culver Fellow from Ottumwa, Iowa, and a graduate of Ottumwa High School. In high school, she completed her phlebotomy certificate from Indian Hills Community College, became a silver cord recipient, and received the seal of biliteracy in English and Spanish. At Simpson, she plans to major in Biology on a pre-med track. Denise is active in Latinos Unidos, the Honors program, and Wesley Service Scholars.
Julia Wilson is a Culver Fellow from Ankeny, Iowa, where she graduated from Ankeny Centennial High School. In high school, she was a member of National Honor Society and the Speech team. She was one of only three students from her high school to be selected for American Legion Auxiliary Iowa Girls State. At Simpson, she serves on the Culver Fellows Voter Engagement committee and plans to major in Psychology.
Katie Harryman is a Culver Fellow from Grimes, Iowa. She graduated from Dallas Center-Grimes High School and participated in National Honor Society, art club, and dance team. At Simpson, she plans to major in graphic design and interactive media. She is excited to be involved in the Culver Fellowship and be involved in public policy and politics.
Lizzy Orey is a Culver Fellow from Indianola, Iowa. Lizzy graduated from Indianola High School at the top of her class, while also being President of the National Honor Society Chapter, a Drum Major in the Pride of Indianola Marching Band, Secretary of Mayor’s Youth Council, and a member of A Cappella Choir, Side One Show Choir, Wind Ensemble Band, and Iowa Youth Congress. At Simpson, Lizzy is involved in Musicals, Band, the Community Orchestra, Choir, Mental Health Club, Psychology Club, Student Government Association, SC Scholars, and Honors. Lizzy plans to study a pre-med path, majoring in Biology and Neuroscience at Simpson, with a minor in Psychology and Chemistry. She plans on attending medical school after Simpson to become a Neuropsychiatrist.
Makenna Askeland iis a Culver Fellow from Griswold, Iowa and a graduate of Griswold Community High School. At Simpson, she is majoring in health and exercise science and hopes to work as a physical therapist in the future. Makenna is involved in the Wesley Service Scholars program, plays on the softball team, and plans to become involved in more activities and clubs. She is excited to be a Culver Fellow to gain connections in the communications realm.
Peyton Robertson is a Culver Fellow from Bozeman, Montana where she graduated from Belgrade High School. She plans to double major in Political Science and Criminal Justice. At Simpson, Peyton is a member of the Women’s Soccer Team, Wesley Service Program and the Honors Program.
Teryn Shields is a Culver Fellow from Osceola, Iowa, and a graduate of Murray High School. During high school, Teryn was active in several sports, Band, FBLA, NHS, and was the president of a community focused non-profit organization named CCOPS. Here at Simpson College, Teryn plans to pursue a major in Health Services Leadership. Teryn is very excited to be a part of the Culver Fellowship and looks forward to positively impacting the lives of those around her.
Christopher Funk is a Culver Fellow from Indianola, Iowa. Growing up, he participated in Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts of America. He plans to double major in History and Political Science and pursue a graduate degree in dentistry after graduating from Simpson. He joined the Culver Fellows program to gain a better understanding of politics.
Interested in becoming a Culver Fellow? Download the John C. Culver Fellowship Application today.