Willa is from Waterloo, Illinois, and graduated from Valmeyer High School before attending Colorado State University, where she studied Chemistry and Russian and graduated in 2022. She was involved in ROTC and served as president of the Russian Club, building a strong language and cultural community on campus.
After graduation, she was awarded the Boren Scholarship to study Russian in Latvia and has traveled extensively in Central Asia to deepen her language and regional expertise. She is currently in dental school at the University of Washington on an Air Force Health Professions Scholarship, with a focus on rural health and oral surgery, and serves as a Peer Advisor for her class while also working in restaurant management.
Leadership
- U.S. Air Force ROTC commissioned officer
- President of Russian Club at Colorado State University
- Boren Scholar (Russian language study in Latvia)
- Dental student at University of Washington (Air Force Health Professions Scholar)
- Peer Advisor for dental school Class of 2028
- Manager in restaurant operations at Terry’s Kitchen
- Focused on rural health, service, and community leadership
