Outstanding Students

Danielle Noack

Where are you from? 

I’m from Polk City, Iowa, which is a small town about 30 minutes north of Des Moines.

Why did you choose Kirkwood?

I chose Kirkwood originally for the interior design program, actually! I realized quickly that interior design was not where I was supposed to be, but I decided to stay at Kirkwood anyway.

What is your major and how did you choose it?

My current major is digital arts. After leaving the interior design program, I finished up my liberal arts degree, but knew I wanted to do something creative. The digital arts program is so well rounded and covered pretty much all of the areas I was interested in, so I gave it a shot and loved it.

What has been your proudest moment at Kirkwood? 

I think this past year has been one of my proudest moments, honestly. I feel like I’m finally where I’m supposed to be, and feeling appreciated and encouraged by my professors has made a huge difference.

What are your plans after Kirkwood?

I’m not sure exactly what I’m going to do yet, but I’m leaning toward a job in the videography field, like editing.

What inspires or motivates you?

I’m inspired by my professors quite a bit, actually. All of them have worked in the industry and have so many stories and encouragement for us as students. They feed my excitement to enter the industry after graduation.

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

Outside of school, I’m very involved with my church and the Salt Company. I also work two jobs—both video and audio editing. When I have free time, I really enjoy reading or hanging out with my friends.

What does being named an Outstanding Student mean to you?

I feel very honored. It’s a good feeling to know that the hard work you put in is recognized and appreciated by your professors, and it just motivates me even more to keep putting my best foot forward.

Is there anything else you’d like to add? 

I just want to say thank you to my professors who have pushed me and challenged me to do more than I thought I was capable of. I always wind up appreciating it, even if it’s not in the moment.

Categories: Outstanding Students