Hi - I’m Daniel!

During the work day, you can find me working at the University of Iowa in International Programs, but on the nights and weekends, you’ll find me working out, hanging out with friends and my dog Riley, doing some freelance social media work and websites for companies, and publishing journals and memory books.

Beyond the things I spend my time doing, what drives me is being a leader who is detail-oriented and forward thinking. I’m disciplined, deliberative, and strategic in the plans I develop and the actions I take to accomplish those plans.

I’m a firm believer that when you believe in yourself, anything is possible if you set your mind to it. I remind myself all the time that I need to be confident in my path; I am the only one who knows how and where to run when others are expecting me to walk. I encourage you to do the same.

My life right now

Summer 2024 - In April, I got married to my wife, Hannah! As we settle into married life, we’re looking forward to a summer filled with time spent outside, late night bonfires, and weekends on the lake.

My goals

Personal Mission Statement

To always find balance in everything that I do. From work-life balance to self-care, I aspire to be a leader who practices these ideals and models the behavior well to the students I get to work with and the people I get to interact with.

Career Goals

My short term goal is to provide leadership and support for internationally-oriented teaching, research, and creative work and community engagement by promoting International Programs to both internal and external constituents. In doing this, it is my goal that International Programs at the University of Iowa is a leader among the events and donor stewardship field both at the university, in the state, and globally.

My mid-range goals are to obtain my PhD in organizational leadership and continue working in higher education, specifically focusing on work in these functional areas: communications/marketing, international programs, enrollment management, or student success.

My long term goal is to someday serve an institution of higher education as a vice president/president. Will I make it someday? I don’t know. What I do know is that goals are meant to be hard, take time, and with a lot of patience and hard work, maybe some day I’ll reach this one.

Life Goals

Someday, I plan to open my own coffee shop. Want to hear the plan for it? Reach out and ask.

Every year since 2017, it’s been my goal to read at least six books.

19 for 19. In 2019, I set 19 goals for myself. You can read about them on my blog or checkout the 19 for 19 page to see how I did with all of them.

Books I’ve read (and recommend)

  • Atomic Habits by James Clear

  • Talking to Strangers by Malcolm Gladwell

  • The Infinite Game by Simon Sinek

  • Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit Less by Greg McKeown

  • Capitol Gaines by Chip Gaines

  • Hamilton: The Revolution by Lin-Manuel Miranda & Jeremy McCarter

  • The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas

  • Make Your Bed by William H. McRaven

  • Becoming by Michelle Obama

  • Dare to Lead by Brené Brown

  • The Very Worst Missionary by Jamie Wright

  • How to Break Up with your Phone by Catherine Price

  • Generation Z Goes to College by Corey Seemiller & Meghan Grace

  • Seriously… I’m Kidding by Ellen DeGeneres

  • Rising Strong by Brené Brown

  • Leaders Eat Last by Simon Sinek

  • Daring Greatly by Brené Brown

  • The Magnolia Story by Chip & Joanna Gaines

  • Elon Musk by Ashlee Vance

  • Shaken by Tim Tebow

  • Start with Why by Simon Sinek

  • Next Generation Leader by Andy Stanley

  • Crazy Busy by Kevin DeYoung

  • Rewired by Brandon Cox

  • Scary Close by Donald Miller

  • The Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey

  • Crazy Love by Francis Chan

  • Heaven is for Real by Todd Burpo