Alison (Ali) Casella serves as the Associate Director for the First Gen Hawks program, housed within Academic Support & Retention at the University of Iowa. She has a Master of Arts degree in Counselor Education from the University of Iowa and a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Mount Mercy University. In her role in Academic Support & Retention, Ali facilitates departmental and institutional efforts to promote undergraduate student success by providing student support, guidance, and mentorship to undergraduate students.  

Prior to joining the Academic Support & Retention team, Ali worked at the University of Iowa in several capacities: Student Disability Services, the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences, and the College of Public Health. She has also held leadership roles at Mount Mercy University in Admissions, and at a local non-profit supporting student transition from high school to college. 

Ali is particularly interested in collaborating with departments on campus to support and foster equitable academic experiences for all students through evidence-based practices.