2022-2023
Robert Frederick, President
University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls, IA
Robert Frederick has been passionately working in Career Services at UNI for over two decades. Professionally, he is also engaged with and has presented at various professional organizations including NACE, NASPA, AAEE & AAIE. On campus, he has taught both undergraduate and graduate courses, been a student conduct administrator, directed community college relations for the university, provided oversight and direction for the reorganization of multiple departments, been the president of the professional and scientific staff council and served for many years on the president’s advisory council. Prior to UNI, Robert was a high school teacher and later became a school principal. Off-campus, Robert volunteers on numerous non-profit boards, is the current president of the board of directors for the Friends of the Gallagher Bluedorn and and is a life member of AMVETS post#79.
Liz Hergert, President-Elect
Iowa State University, Ames, IA
Liz Hergert is a Career Advisor in the Liberal Arts and Sciences Career Services office at Iowa State University. Liz graduated from Iowa State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies and shortly after graduation started working in Career Services at Iowa State. She is fortunate to have worked in three separate career services offices at Iowa State where she gained experience in various aspects of career services including event planning, career advising, creating workshops that meet the needs of a diverse student population and overseeing graduation outcomes collection. Liz will graduate with her Master’s Degree in Leadership Development from Drake University in May 2023. She has a passion for networking and is excited to support CPI in fostering professional development for career professionals across Iowa. Outside of work, Liz enjoys reading, exercising, and spending time with friends and family.
Haley Peeler, Past President
Grand View University, Des Moines, IA
Haley Peeler is the Director of the Career Center at Grand View University. After graduating from Wartburg College, Haley worked as a graphic designer for several years before earning her master’s degree in Postsecondary Education: Student Affairs (UNI) and transitioning into higher education. Haley has experience teaching career development classes, providing career coaching to individuals, marketing, and elevating DEI initiatives within career services. Professionally, Haley loves helping her students develop and succeed; outside of work, Haley enjoys reading, biking, traveling, and music. Haley has been on the CPI Executive Committee for three years, finding great value in the networking and programs.
Amy Westra, Treasurer
Dordt University, Sioux Center, IA
Amy serves as the Director of Career Development at Dordt University. She’s been coaching students at Dordt for the past three academic years and recently earned her coaching certification through the World Coaching Institute. She earned a Master of Science in Management (M.S.M.) from Cornerstone University and her Bachelor of Science degree in North American Urban Studies from Kuyper College, both in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Amy has previously served at Columbia International University and the University of South Carolina Aiken. Prior to her work in higher education, Amy mentored kids and families in the inner city of Grand Rapids, Michigan. She finds great joy in helping students to align their strengths with their career goals and equipping students with the skills they need to transition into the workforce..
Lynn Torrence, Digital Strategist
Des Moines Area Community College, Des Moines, IA
Lynn Torrence is an Employment Specialist at DMACC, working closely with students with barriers to education and employment who are pursuing in-demand training programs. She earned her Master of Science in Higher Education from Kaplan University with a concentration in college administration and leadership, and her Bachelor of Science in Dietetics with a secondary major in Spanish from Iowa State University. Lynn worked as a Career Specialist for 6 years until transitioning into her current role. She is passionate about helping to eliminate barriers for students to achieve their education and career goals as well as focusing on building students’ confidence to pursue their dreams. Her interests outside of work include fitness (HIIT, yoga, biking, Pound), traveling, baking, and gardening.
Natalie Earnest, Communications Specialist
University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls, IA
Natalie Earnest is a Career Services Coordinator at Career Services of the University of Northern Iowa. Natalie enjoys her role in creating networking opportunities for students and supporting their success as they leave college and find their own paths. Natalie recently graduated with her bachelor’s degree in Psychology (2020) and her master’s degree in Postsecondary Education: Student Affairs (2022) from UNI. She worked at UNI’s Career Services as a senior in college so when the opportunity arose to come back she jumped on it immediately. In her free time, Natalie enjoys gardening, walking her dog, annual camping trips with her family, and binging her favorite comedies she’s seen a million times before.
Lindsay Adolphs, Secretary
St. Ambrose University, Davenport, IA
Lindsay currently serves as the Executive Director of the Academic and Career Planning Office at St. Ambrose University. In addition to her role at St Ambrose University Lindsay spent 5 and a half years in the Pomerantz Career Center at The University of Iowa as Associate Director of Employer Engagement-Internships, providing outreach to employers who wished to develop internship programs as well as recruit students as interns. Lindsay has held various leadership roles within the field of career services at Ashford University, Clarke University and Western Illinois University. Lindsay completed her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology at the University of Iowa and completed her Masters of Science in College Student Personnel at Western Illinois University. She has a strong passion for motivating, exciting and engaging students in the career development process and credits her growth in the field to the mentorship she has had through the Career Professionals of Iowa and is excited to be a part of the CPI leadership team again.
Elections for open positions will take place in June 2023.
iowa-cpi.org 