Computer Information Systems at Aquinas College

Dani Dizdarevic

Dani Dizdarevic is from Bosnia and Herzegovina and is a senior dual majoring in Computer Information Systems, as well as Business Administration. Dani also plays on the Aquinas soccer team.

During the interview, Dani stated, “I really like the creativity that is available to the students. The professors were very helpful and guided us, but also gave room for us to develop on our own.” Dani enjoys the freedom he receives from his teachers here at Aquinas. He enjoyed Intro to Project Management where his team was able to create a project that he was truly passionate about. They gave estimates for the cost and how it would be done. Then they presented their proposal to the class.

With his degree, Dani would like to go into project management, or product management. "I really like the creativity that is available to the students. The professors were very helpful and guided us, but also gave room for us to develop on our own." When Dani isn’t working on school projects, he is participating in soccer. He has been playing the sport his entire life and wishes to keep it up until he can’t anymore. Dani is a Center Defensive Midfielder. He is also capable of playing Left Back, Center Back, Left Wing, and even Striker. But when he isn't training, he likes to walk around campus, even being a commuter.

Outside the school, Dani has been working on a clothing brand he’s had a vision for. He’s using his project management skills for this project and started on Instagram to gain an organic following, which has paid off, since he has sold out twice.

Isaiah Jackson 

Student-Athlete Isaiah Jackson is from Caledonia, MI, studying Computer Informations Systems, running on Aquinas’s Track team, and was part of Aquinas’s Student Athlete Leadership Team, also known as S.A.L.T.  

Student-Athlete Isaiah Jackson is from Caledonia, MI, studying Computer Information Systems, running on the Aquinas Track team, and was part of the Aquinas Student Athlete Leadership Team, also known as S.A.L.T. Isaiah wanted to follow in his sister’s footsteps and pursue a degree in legal studies, but that all changed when he took a computer science course in high school. Isaiah has always been technical. When he was a child, he tried to teach himself programming and enjoyed basic robotics in his middle school class. Isaiah says, “Computer Information Systems gave me this sense of freedom that I didn't have, so I really enjoyed it. I could create whatever I wanted.” He used his interest to work as a technician for the Aquinas helpdesk. Now, Isaiah has been using his skills to create websites for small businesses and teamed up with another small marketing business to help bigger businesses. He also has an internship that will allow him to give technical support and learn additional skills in the workforce.

Alongside academics, Isaiah also is a leader on Aquinas's track team. He runs the 60m and the 110m hurdles, as well as long jumps. One of his goals is to beat the #1 best all time in the 60m hurdles at Aquinas. The time is 8.10 seconds, and Isaiah holds the 2nd fastest time of 8.33.

Outside of school and track, Isaiah likes to spend time with his friends and family. On campus, he and his friends play night football on the soccer field, relax and play video games, or play cards with his roommates.

Peter Klemish 

Peter Klemish is from Kentwood, MI, and is a student in the Computer Information Systems program. Peter was interested in Aquinas College due to its small class sizes, allowing for greater interaction with professors. Peter began programming from a young age, focusing on web development. This interest developed into other aspects of Information Technology. Outside of Aquinas College, Peter likes to do independent programming and cycling.  

Peter enjoyed Web Programming with Databases, a class at Aquinas. It was his first experience with collaborative work on a website. The class taught him how to assign work and how to standardize various parts of the application logic. The work was done in and outside of class, giving him another first experience with remote work and collaboration.

Peter likes the experience the faculty bring to the classes. The program faculty are able to relate in-class concepts to real-world examples. Peter believes this real-world experience will help students when they are working on the job.

Ashley Reese

One of our students representing the Computer Information Systems degree is Ashley Reese. Ashley is a Grand Rapids native who graduated from Kenowa Hills High School. She transferred to Aquinas College because of the small class sizes and because she had heard great things about the campus. “Everyone I talked to had great things to say about AQ, and I was looking for a fresh start somewhere. Something about the campus really spoke to me, and with all the trees, you wouldn’t know that you’re in the heart of East Grand Rapids.”

Ashley chose a degree in Computer Information Systems because she wanted to deepen her understanding of the field. What she likes most about this degree is that it has prepared her for a job post-graduation. “The classes take into account real-world examples, and because of the small class size, I feel like I’m getting the most out of my education.” While she doesn’t have a particular job in mind after graduation, Ashley is currently working as an intern with Kent Power Inc., a powerline construction company. “I don’t have a specific career path picked out just yet, but that’s what I like so much about this degree. It introduces you to the different fields within IT, and your career could go in any direction.”   

Outside of the classroom, Ashley enjoys reading and writing fiction and playing ice hockey. She has spent two years playing for Aquinas’s women’s hockey team, and a third year as a student manager. Her favorite thing to do at Aquinas is relax and drink a smoothie at the Moose Cafe and hang out with classmates in between classes.

Adrien Yondo 

Adrien Yondo, another Grand Rapids native, is currently studying Computer Information Systems at Aquinas College. She chose this major because she took a few coding classes in high school and fell in love with it. One thing she likes about her coding classes is that she enjoys the satisfaction of finishing her code and seeing that it all works. Knowing she did it herself and watching her creation run is an excitement that other coders can relate to. After Aquinas, Adrien would like to pursue a career in Web Development or work within an Information Technology department at a high school because she loves working with kids. Adrien chose Aquinas because it is the best of both worlds for her.  

She gets to play the sport she loves, which is volleyball, and she gets to pursue her degree in Computer Information Systems. Outside of the classroom, Adrien plays on the Aquinas women’s volleyball team. Adrien works hard and excels in the classroom and on the volleyball court. Her favorite thing to do at Aquinas is hanging out with her friends and playing volleyball with her teammates. Outside of school, she likes to spend time with her friends and family and travel to new places.