I had the pleasure of meeting Genevieve Goelz over the summer as On Iowa! leaders. I never knew that sitting next to a random girl in our training classroom would let me be a friend to someone who is so positive, bubbly, down-to-earth and inspiring.
Since then, I’ve come to find that Gen is the person you go to for a funny picture to cheer you up, the person who will easily go get lunch or coffee with you and the person who will sit with you and do homework and still (somehow) make it fun.
Gen’s positivity and love for the world are things that I think everybody should strive to have. Meet her below!
Major: Biomedical Engineering with a Mathematics minor.
Hometown: Algonquin, Illinois
What are you involved in on campus?
During my time at Iowa I have been involved in several things, and I like to join new things here to keep life interesting. I’ve been involved at the Newman Center, graced soundwaves at Iowa’s radio station, KRUI, danced my heart out with Dance Marathon, welcomed prospective students in Students To Assist Recruitment (STAR) and led and collaborated with several amazing and life-changing individuals in Iowa’s welcome-week program, On Iowa! While I haven’t stuck to everything I’ve jumped into, I’ve appreciated every experience I have had here and wouldn’t trade them for the world. Today I am involved in On Iowa! leadership and STAR, while also working as an Engineering Student Ambassador and a burrito connoisseur in the Old Capitol Mall’s Chipotle Mexican Grill.
Why did you choose to attend Iowa?
There were many reasons I chose to attend Iowa. Perhaps the major reason was that everyone I met during my visit here was just genuinely nice to me and jam-packed with Hawkeye spirit. Iowa’s Biomedical Engineering program was also appealing to me, as it is not an extremely common major at several universities close to home.
Why did you choose engineering?
Throughout high school, I always wanted to be a young adult author and a lawyer. My senior year of high school, I took a debate class and did not enjoy it at all. After the first couple of projects I quickly leanred that the research, argument development and everything else was just not my thing. In worry I talked with my calculus teacher about my future, and he told me I should look into engineering. He said that it was a perfect mixture of math and science, and he thought I could be successful in the field. The more I thought about it, the more I realized my passiosn laid in math and science. From there, I did my research and discovered that I wanted to be a biomedical engineer.
Engineering is a very male-dominated field. What’s it like being a female engineer?
It is definitely very interesting to be in a field that is dominated by men. However, I feel like I didn’t jump into engineering because I wanted to be a girl in it; I did it because I followed my passions, and I hope young girls that have big dreams about changing the world can do the same.
What are your goals for the future?
Professionally, I have no idea what I want to do. I declared the Biomedical Engineering major in the hopes that I would work with bioprinting tissues or working with cells in culture to make tissues. My dream is to help in the prospect of eliminating the organ donation process such that new organs can be developed for those in need. But for now, as an eager student with a head full of dreams, I can only hope that I’ll make a positive impact on the world, one day at a time.
What inspires you?
I am constantly inspired by my family members. They always provide me with tidbits of wisdom that keep me going.
What’s your favorite place in Iowa City?
There is a small nook by the Boyd Law Building hidden by several trees that overlooks South Riverside and the east side of campus. Within the area, there is a lone stone bench, flowers and a quiet, serene atmosphere. My favorite time to go there is at night because you can see all of Iowa City lit by the headlights of zooming cars passing by and the numerous campus lights. It is, by far, one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen.
What are some of your hobbies?
I find great solace in reading books, running, walking around in nature, diversifying my music collection, watching movies and playing the piano.
What’s your favorite show to binge-watch?
Funny story…I can’t binge watch TV shows! I get too bored sitting in one spot for too long. If I had to give you an honest answer though, it would have to be House, M.D. (although I started it my senior year of high school…).
What is something that you could eat everyday and not get tired of?
Popcorn. It is my weakness.
What’s your go-to coffee order?
Starbuck’s Caramel Frappucino is my favorite thing on this planet.
If you could meet any person in history, dead or alive, who would you pick and why?
I would want to meet former president Abraham Lincoln, as random as that sounds. I admire his dedication to unity and fairness for all, and I think that his wisdom is something that could be imposed on and is needed by the world today.
What’s a piece of advice you would give your younger self?
No matter who or what brings you down, NEVER give up on your dreams. Always be kind and grateful, and enjoy every moment of life because, boy, does it go fast. Love and respect everyone, always.