Eli Meschko

It’s not every day that someone had the chance to meet and chat with the late legendary John Wooden — except for 1969 Briar Cliff physical education graduate Mary Jo Huismann.

Only about 15% of officers who commission in the U.S. Air Force ever reach the rank of colonel. For Tricia Van Den Top (‘94), the journey to that achievement began not with a military dream, but with a nursing degree from Briar Cliff University.

When Jeff White first got into coaching football, he had no idea where it would lead him to.

When Stephanie Pritts (‘06) graduated from Briar Cliff, she felt ready to fulfill her dream of becoming a teacher. But she had no idea what kind of journey her career would take her on.

In his first months as Provost at Briar Cliff University, Dr. Brian Peterson is focused on listening, collaboration, and academic innovation. He is reviewing programs through both sustainability and mission-driven impact, exploring new interdisciplinary offerings, and strengthening connections between students and the Siouxland community.

When Ryann Coughlin (‘26) first arrived at The Cliff as a student, she already had a connection to campus.

After serving as a reserve for Team Great Britain at the 2024 Paris Olympics, Briar Cliff alumnus Ben Jefferies faced a major setback when he tore his Achilles during training. Now recovered, Jefferies has qualified for the 2026 UK Athletics Championships while balancing his own training with coaching responsibilities at Western Illinois University. Drawing lessons from both adversity and his Olympic experience, he continues pursuing another opportunity to represent Great Britain—this time with his sights set on 2028.