At just 18, Ashlee DeMolles took a huge leap, moving over 1,000 miles from her family’s farm in Massachusetts to attend Iowa State University. Since her freshman year, she’s fully embraced life in Ames, getting involved in a variety of campus organizations and making Iowa State feel like home.
DeMolles grew up on a diverse crop and livestock operation in West Bridgewater, Massachusetts, where her family raises cattle, hogs, turkeys, broiler chickens, and laying hens. The family also operates a small farm-to-table store, offering their beef and pork directly to consumers. Additionally, growing up Ashlee showed Hereford cattle at the local and national levels.
Currently, DeMolles is a senior at Iowa State University majoring in animal science with a minor in genetics. She hopes to attend veterinary school next fall, where she plans to specialize in bovine reproduction.
When asked why she chose to attend Iowa State, DeMolles said, “I picked Iowa State because of its beautiful campus, amazing animal science program, and top-notch veterinary school. The networking opportunities here are incredible, and I wanted to challenge myself by stepping out of my comfort zone and moving to the Midwest.”
On campus, DeMolles is actively involved in several organizations, including Collegiate Cattlemen, Block & Bridle, and ISU Vets Without Borders, where she previously served as the PR Chair. She’s also a member of the Beef Leadership Fellows Program, which is organized by Dr. Brad Skaar. This program offers students interested in the beef industry a year-long series of educational experiences, including industry-related trips. Beyond her involvement in clubs on campus, DeMolles is also a tutor in the Animal Science Help Room, where she’s been assisting other students with their classes for the past two years.
When DeMolles isn’t on central campus, she’s likely at Iowa State’s Turkey Farm, where she has worked for the past two years while also serving as an undergraduate research assistant for Dr. Dawn Koltes. On weekends, she often travels to Hartley, Iowa, to work at Weeping Fox Ranch, assisting with sale calves during the spring and fall. DeMolles has also gained valuable hands-on experience in veterinary hospitals, spending the past two summers as a veterinary assistant at both Abington Animal Hospital and Emerson Animal Hospital.
When asked what advice she'd give her fellow students, DeMolles said, “College is the perfect time to step out of your comfort zone—join clubs, meet new people, and go on industry tours.”