Our Mission
Inspire to Aspire is a student led, Non-Profit organization designed to provide underserved children and communities, in and around the Iowa City area, with equitable educational opportunities, environments, & resources, principally in STEM fields.
Mentorship
Inspire to Aspire, while a multi-dimensional educational initiative, is fundamentally built on the mentorship model. Students are paired with undergraduate mentors in their field of interest, fostering a collaborative relationship between our provided mentor and their mentee, that continues on longitudinally - often for many years.
Networking
Connecting our high school student mentees with local opportunities - from introducing trade school pathways, to internships at local Universities; we aim to provide direct early exposure that will help mentees build their future careers one step at a time.
Support for communities
Education happens within the context of a larger community environment. Our approach extends beyond schooling to help ensure students have a supportive environment, necessary to facilitate optimal education and opportunity. An integral part of our mission is fostering collaborative initiatives with local community organizations.
Dr. Leslie J. Christenson
Dr. Christenson is a board certified Mohs surgeon and a former Carver Medical School graduate who currently holds the role of Assistant Professor of Dermatology at University of Iowa Healthcare.
Megan Kosovki
Megan is one of our advisors who has worked with us for the last three years. She has provided us valuable insight and helped us to get access to teaching resources.
Dr. Kate Karacay
Dr. Karacay is an academic advisor at the University of Iowa and also runs the College Transition Workshop which prepares freshman for the rigor of college courses.
Dr. Randolph Lange
Dr. Lange works in the Belin-Blank Honors Center and specializes in helping students feel more welcome into the University. Dr. Lange also plays a crucial role in the Bucksbaum and Twice- Exceptionality programs.