Outstanding Students

Tyler Schnell

Q: Where are you from? 

A: Center Point, Iowa 

Q: Why did you choose Kirkwood? 

A: I had a pretty good idea of what I wanted to do coming out of high school but just didn’t know where I wanted to go to do it. I went on several college visits in hopes of running cross country while also finding the program I wanted. Ultimately, I had to let that hope go and focus on finding the program I wanted to complete rather than continue running competitively. After all, you have to “hang up the cleats” sometime. It seemed to me that Kirkwood had one of the best Computer Aided Design programs of the colleges that I visited so I stuck with it. 

Q: What is your major and how did you choose it? 

A: I am in the CAD/Mechanical Engineering Technology program. In high school, I worked with computer aided design and enjoyed it so I decided to continue with that desire. 

Q: What has been your proudest moment at Kirkwood?  

A: The program I am in is supposed to be 5 semesters but I’ve been able to squeeze it into 4 by taking 20 credits in the last spring semester and 19 this fall and spring semester. With the help of my instructors and adequate time management, I’ve been able to successfully do this and maintain high grades in each class.  

Q: What are your plans after Kirkwood? 

A: After Kirkwood, I plan to enter the work force. Whether that is continuing my Co-op with Collins Aerospace and going full time or finding a different employer entirely is still up in the air. Right now, I’m just trying to keep my options open and find the best fit for me.   

Q: What inspires or motivates you? 

A: I find motivation in knowing that God has a plan for my life and I don’t want to waste it. I’ve seen God working throughout my life and I want to live a life honoring of him. One way I can do this is by always giving my best effort.  

Q: Tell us about who you are outside of Kirkwood – hobbies, family, other interests, etc. 

A: Outside of school and work, I enjoy running, ping pong, and am involved with The Salt Company (A college student ministry). Running has been apart of my life ever since middle school. I played a lot of Ping Pong in high school and have grown to love it and play whenever I can find a table.  

Q: What does being named an Outstanding Student mean to you? 

A: It’s an honor that I’m very appreciative and thankful for. I know I’m surrounded by many classmates deserving of this award. It’s nice to see all of our hard work has been acknowledged and I have to honor of representing part of that. 

Q: Is there anything else you’d like to add? 

A: Proverbs 16:3-Commit your plans to the Lord and they will succeed. 

Categories: Outstanding Students