Meet Katie Strotman

Learning the key to success

As seen in the spring 2025 Ivy magazine.

Whether on the playing field or on a mountainside in Mexico, Katie Strotman knows teamwork is the key to success.

A management and marketing student, Strotman is also a thrower on the Iowa State University track and field team. She was part of a Cyclones Serve community service group that traveled to La Angostura, Mexico, in August 2024 to build a multi-purpose athletic court.

Ambitious athletes

The ability of Cyclone student-athletes to energize and inspire others was fully displayed in La Angostura. They worked with residents to construct the court and helped motivate many of them to try out new skills as part of the building process.

“The gender roles there are pretty traditional, but something a lot of the female athletes took away was showing the local women and girls that we can do hard physical work,” Strotman says. “By the end of the trip, the women and girls in the community were helping us with the construction of the court and were proud of their work.”

Service mindset

Strotman is also a member of the ISU Athletics Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, which works with the athletics department administration and staff to enhance the student-athlete experience. Her service work in La Angostura has sparked ideas for the committee. She wants to create more community service projects for student-athletes because “it’s such a privilege. I learned a lot about myself and how I use my time and interact with people. Most importantly, it made me think more about how I can give back, how I can get involved.”

Choosing business

Growing up in Ames, Iowa, gave Strotman the opportunity to see Iowa State up close.

“My love for Iowa State is something I have had for a very long time and my passion to excel in all areas of my life whether that be in the classroom, at the track, or in my community is something I focus on heavily,” she said. “I have always been someone who likes to stay busy and stay involved.”

Business was her academic choice because it combines things she enjoys. “I love to create relationships with people, to lead when able, and to be creative. I found that business management and marketing combined these things and I love what I am learning and where these can take me,” she said.

What she is learning in the classroom will set her up for success.

“The skills that I am developing at the Ivy College of Business will help me in my future career because Ivy has a heavy emphasis on collaboration and communication and those are skills I will take with me wherever I go,” Strotman said. “Practicing these skills in the classroom has helped me be a better teammate, friend, student, and leader.”

“Katie exemplifies the true meaning of student-athlete. As a peer mentor, she provides tremendous leadership to our younger students, and she does so in a humble manner, leading by example.”

— Stephanie Larson, assistant director, Undergraduate Student Services

Susan Fleming, associate teaching professor in marketing, had the opportunity to work with Strotman on a collaboration between the athletic department and Ivy. “Her work ethic, creativity, and openness to try new things made her a joy to work with,” Fleming said. “At Ivy, we continually challenge our students to get out of their comfort zones and experience new things. One of the things that I appreciate most about Katie is that she always takes advantage of these opportunities. She goes into every new situation with a positive attitude. This is one of her competitive advantages in her sport and in her studies.”

For high school students considering their options after graduation, Strotman recommends business. “I would tell high schoolers to find what you are passionate about and go for it. Business is so versatile so find a major that relates to your interests and something that excites you to study.”

To connect with Katie Strotman or follow her collegiate and professional journey, visit her LinkedIn profile.

July 21, 2025