Recent graduate outcomes

99.5% of the surveyed Augustana Class of 2024 said they were employed, in graduate school, or continuing experiential learning during a gap year within six months of graduation.
Data was collected from students who graduated from Augustana College in Summer 2023, Fall 2023 and Spring 2024. Data was collected through a collaboration between the Offices of Institutional Research and Career Development, and compiled by Laura Kestner-Ricketts, executive director of career development and vocation, March 2025.

2013 grad named top tech educator in Illinois
The Illinois Digital Educators Alliance has named Alex Mayszak ’13 the Tech Leader Educator of the Year. The state award honors teachers making outstanding contributions to integrating technology in their school district.

They trusted him with their stories
The Chicago Journalism Association awarded Curtis Lawrence '80 with a Lifetime Achievement Award in honor of his 44-year career as a newspaper reporter. In this profile, Lawrence talks about the Augustana professors who mentored him, and more.

TIME magazine recognizes 2006 grad's invention
TIME magazine has selected Dr. Jenn Hintzsche’s at-home insemination kit as one of the Best Inventions of 2024. Her product, called the PherDal Kit, received FDA clearance in December 2023, and in February became the only sterile at-home insemination kit available in the United States.

Adam '13 becomes first woman named to the U.S. Paralympic Wheelchair Rugby Team
The U.S. wheelchair rugby team finished with a silver medal in the 2024 Paralympic Games, losing only to Japan during the week's matches. Sarah Adam '13 was a top scorer for the team, netting 14 points.

Elliott '20 brings home Webby Awards for NASA
Christian Elliott '20 recently traveled to New York City for the 28th annual Webby Awards to accept honors for "Suiting up for Space," the April 2023 episode he wrote and produced as an intern for the podcast "NASA's Curious Universe."

How to start a dream job right after (or before) graduating from Augustana
Three 2024 grads show what can happen with curiosity, internships, good challenges and support from their Augustana success team.

Castro ’21 positioned to ‘help be the change in the Illinois Quad Cities’
A project led by Ben Castro ’21 to better understand uneven food access and food insecurities within QC MetroLINK’s service area placed fourth in a national competition. The project is tied to Castro's Senior Inquiry for his geography major.

’16 grad combats newborn mortality in rural Kenya
By developing curriculum to teach neonatal resuscitation protocol to medical practitioners in Mutomo, Kenya, Dr. Alyssa Nelson ’16 Motzel was determined to not only teach her peers, but also help them continue to train others.

“The opportunities that I had at Augustana showed me that there is so much to learn and so many great people to meet.”Read More

“Katie Hanson and many of the other professors in the education department have been invaluable to me.”Read More

“Augustana creates opportunities for its students to step outside their comfort zone and try exciting new things.”Read More

“I am my own harshest critic and my own biggest fear, but if I get out of my own way, I can be successful. ”Read More

“I have learned that the key to receiving all of life’s wonders is to open yourself up.”Read More

“Augustana has such a warm atmosphere, and I’ve built so many wonderful relationships with the people I’ve met.”Read More

“I didn't imagine that I would achieve such growth when I started my undergraduate career.”Read More

“I learned that being an individual is far more important than conforming to fit in.”Read More

“I have grown substantially spiritually, emotionally and intellectually from my experiences at Augustana that I could not have anticipated.”Read More

“After attending Augustana, I know that my dreams of working in a medical laboratory are finally possible.”Read More

“I love the feeling of being able to learn anything I possibly want to learn.”Read More

“I have learned that I can accomplish and learn more than I ever thought possible, as long as I set my mind to it.”Read More

“I have learned that you can continue to push yourself past whatever limits or boundaries you thought existed.”Read More

“My time at Augustana has been an overwhelmingly positive experience.”Read More

“I learned that I have a deep appreciation for historical studies.”Read More

“The most important thing I learned about myself was my capacity to love.”Read More

“If someone told me four years ago that I would help raise nearly $82,000 for Camp Kesem or create a research presentation that was shown to more than 100 people, I would have laughed. ”Read More

“I have shocked myself in my accomplishments within the last four years, and I have learned that my potential and abilities far surpass what I ever anticipated for myself.”Read More

“I have learned to understand difference in a way that I never could before.”Read More

“I have recently realized that I am well on the way to becoming the person I wished to be four years ago.”Read More

“I learned that I will achieve nothing if I don’t put in 110% in effort.”Read More

“My biggest accomplishments were possible because of my determination to step out of my comfort zone, take risks and reap the rewarding experience.”Read More

“My Augie experience has given me a confidence that I didn’t always have. ”Read More

“Everyone around me just did a little something that got me where I am now.”Read More