Student Spotlight: Meet Kit Neel

We got acquainted with Women’s and Gender Studies major, Kit Neel, at our Fall Welcome Back Social at the Sloss House. They mentioned that they work at the Iowa State Daily and since then we’ve seen many impressive articles by Kit as a featured columnist and wanted to learn more about them! We spoke to Kit to find out their background and current journey at ISU.  

Where are you from?  

Manly, IA. I was a farm kid; cows, pigs, horses, corn, soy beans. We had it all. 

What year are you at ISU and what are your majors and minors?  

I am a senior majoring in Psychology and Women’s and Gender Studies and minoring in Sociology. 

Tell us about your journey to get to ISU.  

I got my associate’s in communications at NIACC, focusing on going into psychology. Then did two years of nursing school at DMACC, still planning on behavioral health. I realized I still had a passion for psychology that nursing just didn’t fill and came to ISU. 

Why did you choose WGS as a major?  

I want to work as a counseling psychologist, working primarily with queer and at-risk youth. WGS has helped me understand things like gender and sexuality, and how social issues related to these things affect people’s lives and mental health. 

What led you to the Iowa State Daily?  

I want to write a book someday and, as I’m not taking any writing classes in my time at ISU, I needed a way to develop and improve my writing. So, when I saw a sign advertising writing for the Daily on my walk between classes, I emailed them right away.   

How does WGS relate to or help your work at the Daily?  

I have written several articles that talk about the politics of gender: a book review of Who’s Afraid of Gender by Judith Butler, empowerment marketing, and how it’s just not possible to be apolitical especially in this day and age. WGS has helped me hone my opinions and gave me the knowledge and critical thinking skills to get that opinion across well. 

What are your future career goals?   

After graduation this spring I want to get into a counseling psychology graduate school program. This will prepare me for work as a counselor. 

Bonus: What’s your favorite book?  

Harder than all the other questions combined. I love poetry, and right now I’m reading Listening The Forgotten Constellations by Rocco Frattasio, so at the moment that’s probably my favorite. But as soon as I pick up another book, that may change. 

We love our WGS students! If you’d like to be included in a feature or social media post, we’d love to get to know you better! Please reach out to Katrina at kksmith@iastate.edu.