Isaaca Carter
College: John Dee Bright College
Major: Integrated Arts, Sciences, and Humanities
Hometown: Des Moines, Iowa
Q: Why did you choose to attend Drake?
A: I didn’t really choose Drake, Drake chose me. I took a chance on John Dee Bright College and it turned out to be the best choice I’ve made.
Q: What is your favorite campus memory?
A: My favorite memory was the day my classmates and I did presentations about ourselves at the end of the first semester. We shared tears, laughs, and anger that formed and fostered the relationship we had at the end of our two years.
Q: How has Drake shaped who you are today?
A: Drake shaped me to chase after my dreams while going through turmoil. I dealt with homelessness, raising my niece without being a biological parent to any, being ignorant of curriculum and the academic world, and losing my car. I also navigated switching religious doctrine, overcoming addictions, and allowing myself to align with what was already within me. It ignited a force within me to keep pressing forward no matter the obstacles, to overcome them, and know my worth while dealing with insecurities.
Q: What is next for you after you graduate?
A: I plan to rebrand my business, “Divine Aligned,” and continue my education, majoring in neuroscience at Drake University.
Q: Who have been some of your important mentors during your time at Drake?
A: State Representative Rob Johnson, Dean Craig Owens, and Assistant Dean John Kippes.
Q: Are you involved in any student organizations, groups, or community service work? Tell us about those experiences.
A: I am the executive director of community giving for State Representative Ron Johnson. I help organize the Fueling Hope Gas Giveaway every January. I participate in numerous faith-based organizations, as well as volunteer within the community at the capacity I can. I’m a true servant. If it’s something I can do to serve others, I will do it with my best efforts.
Q: How has Drake helped you prepare for your future career?
A: Drake has helped me understand systems, aligned with my divine path, and create balance and organization in order to execute the plan.
Q: Based on your experience, what makes Drake special and sets it apart from other schools?
A: Drake is special because it rebuilt a system to fit not only the audience it wanted to gain, but to fit those who didn’t feel like they amounted to the expectations of Drake as a whole. It builds people up and meets them in the way of life that they’re at.