In this episode of Humans of Iowa State, Braden Fels, IRHA (Inter-Residence Hall Association) president and senior studying political science, discussed his Iowa State journey, as well as his involvement on campus.

“My dad went to Iowa State,” Fels said. “He was the class of ‘92, so I was born wearing the cardinal and gold. Some of the earliest photos I can remember of myself are wearing my Cyclone onesie or sitting on the couch watching Iowa State football.”

Fels grew up a Cyclone fan, but when it came time to graduate from high school, he had plans to apply to other colleges. That was until his father pushed him to tour Iowa State. From there, he knew he found his college home. 

“Throughout my high school career, I had started looking at different colleges,’” Fels said. “My dad was like, ‘You don’t have to apply, but you have to visit Iowa State.’ It was one of those where the second I stepped onto campus, I knew I was home.”

Upon his arrival at Iowa State, Fels noticed that he had an increase in free time, with not many activities to spend it on. Because of this, he decided to run for the IHRA representative position for Willow Hall. 

“Applications opened, I applied, got accepted and that was it,” Fels said. “I didn’t apply anywhere else. I knew this was where I wanted to be.”

Now, Fels serves students in his role as IRHA president as well as the director of residence life for Student Government. In these roles, he encourages students to speak out for what they believe is right and emphasizes the importance of the student voice on campus. 

“I got involved right away,” Fels said. “When my RA freshman year sent us out an email saying that they needed an Inter-Residence Hall Association representative for Willow Hall, I was like, ‘I have no clue what that might be, but I need something to do.’”

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