With a total of 3,222 graduates, Fall 2024 is BYU-Idaho's largest graduating class ever!
Each of our seven colleges nominated Fall 2024 graduates for us to feature. As they leave campus to join the workforce or further their education, they reflect on their experiences at BYU-Idaho and what the future holds for their careers:
College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
Soad Sing
Biomedical Science Major
As you look back on your experience as a student, what stands out the most?
The people, the spirit, and the joy I felt here. When I first came, it was hard to believe everybody was so good and willing to help me. So, I look back with joy and gratitude that I came to BYU-Idaho. The people here have helped me believe that I can reach out and receive the help that I need and that I can build others.
Looking to the future, how has your education here prepared you for life after graduation? What are you excited about?
I'm excited to keep learning and just bringing everything that I've learned. Overall, I just think about President Eyring's prophecy of becoming natural leaders who know how to teach and who have the ability to build others around them. I want to bring this energy of people here building me and then go out and build the world, build people that probably don't feel that about themselves.
What advice do you have for someone who is considering going to BYU-Idaho?
Believe! Believe that you'll come here and be edified. Believe that you can reach out and get the help that you need, find joy, build friendships, and discover something about yourself that you didn't know before. Believe that your Heavenly Father loves you and He wants you to succeed. Believe that you can come here, and even if you're not sure about it, someday your hopes will become history.
I just know that this is a sacred place. If I could go back and tell something to that 17-year-old who came here for the first time on a winter morning after being in Honduras, I would tell her to just believe. That's what I did. I think I just put a foot in front of the other, I walked and showed up and was amazed by the miracles that I lived daily. Know that you'll live miracles and that it's real.
Mads Frost
Health Administration Major
As you look back on your experience as a student, what stands out the most?
The teachers are extremely knowledgeable. They are so good at passing on their knowledge to us and preparing us for life after school. A couple of months ago, I went to a BYU Healthcare Leadership in Provo with all these CEOs and CFOs, and when they talked about how they see healthcare as it is right now, and what they expect from the future, our teachers had already prepared us for it. I already knew all of it, it wasn’t really anything new.
Looking to the future, how has your education here prepared you for life after graduation? What are you excited about?
We get a good education, and the way the school focuses on us teaching others is very helpful. I've been out in the real world working, and it’s very crucial to have the ability to teach other people.
I'm excited about the next chapter, as I will go to graduate school next fall. It’s another step in the process, and I'm excited to come out and use the tools that that I've been learning over the past few years.
What advice do you have for someone who is considering going to BYU-Idaho?
Do it! I definitely think this is a special place. You feel it when you're on campus, the Spirit of BYU-Idaho. I also think it's important to know what you're signing up for, because there is a higher standard, but it's worth it.
I’ve been to other schools and worked in other places, and it's just really special that you get to come to a place where the majority of people share the same faith as you.
Before you start class, you pray and it’s very spiritual. You are kind of losing that when you leave here. So, take the opportunity to come here and just experience that for yourself. It’s really special and something that I'm going to bring with me. You get to realize that you can still ask Heavenly Father for everything, not just school. He cares about how well I do at school, my work, if I go and play basketball, or whatever. He cares about you. It's important to continue that habit, especially after your mission, and when you come here, you're still on that same page.
College of Language and Letters
Savannah Seegmiller
History Major, minor in Spanish
As you look back on your experience as a student, what stands out the most?
Probably the connections that I have been able to make, and the projects that I worked on. I have loved all the classes that I have been in, also doing research and writing. Connecting with professors has been really special as well, I love it.
Looking to the future, how has your education here prepared you for life after graduation? What are you excited about?
Probably dealing with heavy course loads and learning how to think critically have prepared me the most. Learning how to find the truth and find information has also been so vital. I have loved the opportunity to be able to research and figure out what has happened in the past. I think that will continue to be important for me and my future family.
In a couple of years, after my husband graduates, I will apply to graduate school. I hope to get a Doctorate in East Asian Languages and Civilizations, and I'm excited about that. I'm so excited about the research, the traveling, and the language learning. Later on, I’m excited to do more research, teach other people, and be involved in projects.
What advice do you have for someone who is considering going to BYU-Idaho?
It's the best. With the small classes, you get to be close to your professors. Don't base your college experience on the 100-level classes because once you get past those and into what you're passionate about, it's just amazing. You can just dive into what you love. You can talk about what you love with your peers, classmates, and professors. The 100-level classes are fun, and they get you into college, but wait for the really good meat of your degree, and you will love it.
College of Physical Sciences and Engineering
Patson Mazhirikau
Automotive Engineering Technology Major
As you look back on your experience as a student, what stands out the most?
The knowledge that I've gained here stands out to me the most. Coming to BYU-Idaho has helped me to be able to learn more, in terms of gaining soft skills and hard skills. Being able to participate in devotionals and church activities has also helped me to be able to grow spiritually, and to be the person I am today. As I'm graduating this semester, I'm going to be able to take the knowledge that I have gained out there in the field and apply the principles that I've learned. I’ll also be able to serve others, which is something that is important to me.
Looking to the future, how has your education here prepared you for life after graduation? What are you excited about?
I'm excited to go out there and use the skills I have developed. The education prepared me very well to gain the hands-on experience I need to be an engineering technologist and to perform different jobs effectively.
What advice do you have for someone who is considering going to BYU-Idaho?
I think the advice that I will give is that there's nothing to be afraid of here. As an international student, it can be a little bit challenging coming to a new country, as you are trying to adjust to a new culture and everything. But you don't have to be afraid, because there are always people available to be there for you. Roommates, friends, classmates, and even the bishop of your student ward are available to help. Just come to BYU-Idaho, it's an amazing place and you will love it.
This is the best place that you can be as a student. And I've seen the love, especially from professors, and the encouragement they've given me each and every time. It's something that has motivated me to keep going, continue studying hard, make sure that I pass all my classes, and graduate. I'm grateful for the professors, and for the love that they've shown me. Even if I don't know something, they are always helpful and available to meet with me one-on-one to be able to help me understand a certain concept. That is something that I really love about BYU-Idaho.
Reflecting on my days when I was studying back home, it was so difficult to meet with a professor. It's different how professors are here when it comes to helping students, at BYU-Idaho they are always there, even if you're not struggling in school. They have time to visit with you and chat, even about family or how life is going. That is something that is very important, especially to me as an international student.
Madelyn Wahlen
Biochemistry Major
As you look back on your experience as a student, what stands out the most?
I think what stands out the most to me are the opportunities that I've been presented as a student at BYU-Idaho. I'm a transfer student, so coming here, I had a lot more opportunities to interact with my professors and with people within my department. I felt a little bit more like I belonged here. I was able to be part of several leadership councils where I communicated things that my peers were experiencing to the university administration. That has been a really amazing opportunity for me to grow in leadership skills and to be able to make this place, this university, somewhere where people feel like they belong and succeed.
Looking to the future, how has your education here prepared you for life after graduation? What are you excited about?
I am very excited because I'm going to graduate school, and I'm planning on doing a PhD in Biochemistry. One opportunity that I've had here was my professors reaching out to me and letting me know about different internships, so I was able to do internships at other universities that do biochemistry research. That helped me kind of know what I wanted to do and take my experiences here in communicating and in my education to go out into a graduate degree and do some good.
What advice do you have for someone who is considering going to BYU-Idaho?
My general advice for anyone who is going to college is to start early and look at what your opportunities are. I think people kind of wait around for others to let them know about opportunities.
So, if you're actively going out and seeking relationships with professors and peers, and seeking out ways to communicate with others, then you're more likely to experience the growth that is possible in a college degree. BYU-Idaho is a really great place to do that because of our smaller class sizes and the more personal one-on-one interactions that you get to have with professors.
I feel very strongly that I could go to any of my professors and tell them about what I was struggling with, and they would give me great advice, always pointing me back to the Savior and the gospel, incorporating that into my education.
College of Performing and Visual Arts
McKay Fife
Illustration Major, emphasis in Entertainment Design
As you look back on your experience as a student, what stands out the most?
I think the people that I met in the Art Department, most of all. And those people range from friends who have become people that I'm going into professional endeavors with, people who inspire me, and professors, many of whom have changed my life. They have changed the course of my whole career and everything that I think about and do in my craft.
Looking to the future, how has your education here prepared you for life after graduation? What are you excited about?
I feel really grateful because the Art Department is in a really unique spot, where you get really hands-on experience and access to professionals in an affordable and intimate space. It's not a big art school, it's not some big program, but you do get that level of professionalism from the instructors that a lot of places don't really enjoy.
We have had instructors who worked on DreamWorks movies, and video games, and people who have had their art in galleries all over the world. So, having that kind of knowledge just in an office down the hall makes it so the classes prepare us really well for the future.
If we have a question about what path we need to take professionally, certain jobs, or networking, that knowledge is right there, and they're pouring all of that into their classes. I'm really excited about what I'm going to be able to do and what I already have done with the information and knowledge that they've given me.
What advice do you have for someone who is considering going to BYU-Idaho?
I would say put yourself out there. When you pick your major, when you decide what you want to do and what you're passionate about, get it out there. Tell people about it. I was lucky enough to put some of my work out and it got me a job, and I'm really grateful for that. If you are confident in who you are and in the gifts that your Father in Heaven has given you, then you'll go far, not only professionally, but also in school and with people.
College of Education and Human Development
Kyler Goodman
Social Work Major
As you look back on your experience as a student, what stands out the most?
In classes and during different semesters, I had my favorite classes and then not-so-fun ones. But now looking back, I learned from all of them. At least something little that improved me not only as a student but as a person. I feel that I grew a lot by just getting a college education.
Looking to the future, how has your education here prepared you for life after graduation? What are you excited about?
The Social Work program here is amazing and prepared me super well for a master's program, which I've already been accepted into. I'm excited to keep learning, because I feel like here I learned how to learn. In high school, I just kind of went through the motions, but now I know better how to learn. I want to keep doing that, and then eventually get into the workforce, earn a salary, and help people.
What advice do you have for someone who is considering going to BYU-Idaho?
Consider your future goals and what you want to do. Consider the majors that are offered at BYU-Idaho but know that if you don't know exactly what you want to do, BYU-Idaho is a great place to find that out. There are a ton of different majors, and you can even build your own. BYU-Idaho has a ton of great resources to help everyone be successful.
College anywhere is good, so consider your options, but BYU-Idaho is great because it's affordable. Also, with the Three-Semester System, a lot of people end up graduating in under four years.
College of Business and Communication
Kaitlynn Sorensen
Agricultural Business Major
As you look back on your experience as a student, what stands out the most?
The people that I've met and the relationships that I've created while I've been here at BYU-Idaho have probably been the highlight of my time here.
Looking to the future, how has your education here prepared you for life after graduation? What are you excited about?
I'm excited to apply it all. I think it's fun to go to class and figure out everything that you're doing, and you learn so many different things that sometimes you feel like you're never going to apply them. But I think it's exciting when I can go into the work field and see how it all plays together, how it is actually pertinent, and how I can apply the things that I've learned and that I’ve taken the time to figure out.
What advice do you have for someone who is considering going to BYU-Idaho?
If you’re on the fence, I would say just do it. I think it's a great school for the price. You're getting such a good education for a very subsidized cost, which is super incredible, so just do it.
When you do get here, the best advice I have is to get to know your professors and the people in your classes, and just really take advantage of everything that the campus does offer you. There are so many different things, from sports, to clubs, to activities in general. Just take advantage of what it is, make the most of it, and love it.
Diego Javier Reyes Aguilar
Business Finance Major
As you look back on your experience as a student, what stands out the most?
If I have to say one, it would probably be my professors. I would also add the teaching assistants, tutors, and the people that I had to work with for my classes. But my professors are just so inspiring, and it feels like the education here is more personalized. They really want to work with you and help you succeed, not only by getting good grades, but they really want to help you learn and grow in their class.
Looking to the future, how has your education here prepared you for life after graduation? What are you excited about?
I'm applying for different jobs right now, and I'm just excited to go out there and show my hard skills and soft skills that I learned during my time at BYU-Idaho.
The university is so underrated, and I just want to show the world that it really does have a good education. That’s what I'm excited for, to show what BYU-Idaho taught me.
What advice do you have for someone who is considering going to BYU-Idaho?
Don't think about it, just come to BYU-Idaho once you're admitted. And once you're here, stay here, enjoy your time, and have fun.
I would also say finding a balance between having fun and remembering why you're here. Being able to stay focused on classes, assignments, and getting everything done, but at the same time having fun. Get to know people, befriend your teachers, teaching assistants, and tutors. Keep a balance between education and having fun.
I am so grateful for BYU-Idaho because it's just been an amazing experience for me, and I really hope everyone who is here is getting the same experience that I had. It’s beautiful here.
College of Academic Success and Interdisciplinary Studies
Maïna Rivoal
Interdisciplinary Studies Major, emphasis in Visual Communication, Business Fundamentals, and French
As you look back on your experience as a student, what stands out the most?
What stands out the most is how much I grew as a person. My time at BYU-Idaho wasn’t always easy, but it taught me resilience and adaptability. One highlight for me was working at the Advising Center—I absolutely loved my job there. The supportive environment and being able to help other students made it such a rewarding experience.
Looking to the future, how has your education here prepared you for life after graduation? What are you excited about?
My education at BYU-Idaho taught me how to work with different people and find creative solutions to challenges, which I know will help me in my career and life. I’m excited to take those skills into the world, especially as I pursue my passion for social media, creativity, and connecting with others.
What advice do you have for someone who is considering going to BYU-Idaho?
Be open to growth and don’t be afraid to try new things. BYU-Idaho has some great opportunities if you’re willing to seek them out. Find your people, get involved, and make the most of the resources here—like the Advising Center, which was a huge help to me.