Laura Kowalski-Bliss
I'm originally from Schaumburg, Illinois (a Chicago suburb) and my family moved out to Ely, Iowa in 2012. I love living in a small town that is only 30 minutes away from Cedar Rapids or Iowa City. I find that I only miss three things from the Chicago area - my family, the Chicago museums and food!!!
![Family](/sites/our.research.uiowa.edu/files/styles/large/public/2022-10/Josie%20and%20Alex.png?itok=-352x-S5)
I was a 1st Gen student and earned my BS degree in Mathematics from the University of Wisconsin-Platteville. My career has taken several paths over the years, alternating between marketing/database analysis, higher education and raising two children. I know that I love to help young people grow and I love to dig through information looking for insight into different ways to solve problems. I am especially drawn those experiencing extra challenges or who don’t fit traditional expectations. I take great pride in finding ways to remove barriers and provide support, especially when it is not the typical or expected solution.
In my personal life - I recently started working on my Masters Degree in Higher Education and Student Affairs, I love keeping up with my two children (one at Towson University and one at Iowa State), playing with my pups and camping. When I get the opportunity, you can find me creating art-jewelry, taking glass-blowing classes or basically anything that allows me to use fire (safely of course).
![Hobby](/sites/our.research.uiowa.edu/files/styles/no_crop__384w/public/2022-10/Jewelry.png?itok=XZHAzTHF)
You can find me in the OUR office at 6 Gilmore Hall!
![Profile Picture](/sites/our.research.uiowa.edu/files/styles/square__768_x_768/public/2022-10/Kowalski-Bliss%2C%20Laura.jpg?h=79f449d3&itok=p4iDEIx_)