Student Spotlight: Diana Upton-Hill
Hi! I’m Diana Upton-Hill. I graduated from IHCC with an Associate of Arts degree. My main focus was music. After graduation, I transferred to a four-year university where I obtained my Bachelor’s degree. Currently, I’m doing a variety of things. I work full-time for a community development non-profit organization, Bloomfield Main Street, which focuses on community revitalization through economic development and historic preservation. Also, I use my music training in my professional endeavors singing and acting on a regional level, teaching privately, and co-directing the GOVAP children’s chorus in Ottumwa.
Hear for yourself...
One of the most important ways in which Indian Hills prepared me for the future was by simply providing experiences and encouragement to do what I love to do! The Academy gave me opportunity to network with other hard-working students, the Jazz Band allowed me to sing pop, funk, rock, and soul music with a live ensemble, the choruses and individual lessons helped polish my “Classical” technique, the Drama department let me get up on stage to act, and the Indian Hills Foundation provided scholarship 
opportunities so that I might focus on my studies and activities, rather than worry about how I was going to pay tuition.
Also while attending IHCC, I was selected as a Jack Kent Cooke Scholar, giving me the opportunity to pursue my Bachelor’s degree tuition-free, fee-free, even living expenses-free! Had it not been for the always-present support and encouragement from the faculty at IHCC, I could not, nor would not, have even been equipped to apply for the scholarship.
My experience at Indian Hills can be summed up in one word - Incredible! Two of the best years of my life were spent attending classes, working with clubs, acting in plays, singing in the choruses and Jazz Band, making friends, learning from top-notch instructors, all the while developing my skills and preparing to transfer into a 4-year university. I could go on and on! IHCC truly changed my life.