Brynn Storhoff follows her dreams to pursue Counseling and Behavioral Health Services degree at Iowa
Tuesday, May 20, 2025

Brynn Storhoff has never shied away from taking chances. Her journey toward pursuing a new college degree and sport as a student-athlete is proof. 

Despite growing up in smalltown Iowa, Storhoff was a huge Minnesota Golden Gophers fan. Her father is from Lanesboro, Minnesota – about 45 minutes from her hometown.

“We were a house divided. My mom and sister were fans of Iowa, and my Dad and I loved Minnesota,” says Storhoff.

Woman stands with arms crossed in front of rowing practice tanks
Brynn Storhoff

Decorah, Iowa, is home to Storhoff. She grew up 10 miles north of Decorah on her family’s farm, close to her grandparents and other extended family. 

From middle school to high school, Storhoff was a multi-sport athlete who competed in cross country, basketball, and track and field. She loved the idea of being on a team and was naturally a competitive athlete.

As much as she enjoys sports, family has always been one of the most important parts of Storhoff’s life. Her mother has especially been a strong influence. After being a teacher for 25 years, Storhoff’s mother is now a guidance counselor at Decorah High School, with her Master's in Education from Saint Mary's University. She also recently graduated with her Master's in School Counseling from Viterbo University. 

In high school, Storhoff began to take psychology and sociology classes. Until recently, she focused on school counseling. After Storhoff graduated from Decorah High School, she decided to follow her mother’s footsteps to pursue a similar career. 

“Growing up I always knew I wanted to be in a profession that helps people,” says Storhoff. “When I started thinking about college, I knew I wanted to be close to home. Being very family-oriented, I knew I couldn’t go far.”

Storhoff made the decision to move over two hours south to Iowa City to become a Hawkeye. Part of her goal was to get out of her comfort zone by living in a larger community. She planned to get a psychology degree until her academic advisor added her to an email list for people who were interested in the new first-year major, Counseling and Behavioral Health Services (CBHS) in the College of Education. Now Storhoff is pursuing a double major in CBHS and Sports Recreation and Management.

Storhoff says she fell in love with the CBHS major during the fall 2024 semester, taking an Intro to Counseling Psychology with Counseling Psychology Professor, Julie Koch. 

“Getting to learn from someone who is really passionate about what they do and who is also passionate about teaching other people about this profession was what fired me up about this major,” says Storhoff.

Koch says she admires the effort that Storhoff contributes to succeed in this major, especially as a student-athlete.

“She was an excellent student and really engaged in reflection and deep thought about the content of the class,” says Koch. “Brynn always had a quick smile for me in class and I know she is going to be a wonderful counselor – she is warm and empathic and puts people at ease so quickly.”

Storhoff encourages incoming students to keep an open mind about pursuing this major, which now has a projected fall 2025 enrollment of almost 50 students. 

"There are a lot of opportunities and different specializations. There’s a lot of mental health demands specifically in Iowa right now, and there are so many careers you can pursue with this degree,” says Storhoff.

Not only is Storhoff pursuing a new major, but she is also competing in a sport new to her at the college level. After talking to some of the women’s rowing players at her initial orientation, Storhoff attended the six-week tryout in fall of 2024.

Woman works on boat with a man
Storhoff prepares boat before practice alongside Iowa Rowing assistant coach Lowell McNicholas

“I never rowed in high school, and I didn’t know anything about it,” says Storhoff. “Rowing is not a sanctioned sport by the Iowa High School Girls Athletic Union. It wasn’t offered to me in high school.”

There were inevitably bumps along the road of this new journey for Storhoff. Learning a sport in the span of only several months is a major challenge for anyone. But Storhoff says she was honored to make the cut to join the long-established and successful Iowa Women's Rowing Team as a talent transfer – meaning she had excelled in other sports in high school and could make a smooth transition to a different sport due to her skills and abilities.

“It was a little frustrating in the fall. Figuring out how to hold an oar, how to sit in a boat. There are just so many mechanics to it, but it’s been a lot easier doing it with 30 girls who also don’t know. Going through that process with them has made it so much easier,” says Storhoff.

With patience, support, and understanding from her coaches, Storhoff worked hard to excel. This has allowed her to learn and constantly grow as a student-athlete.

Storhoff says she’s enjoying the process of overcoming the adversity from the challenges. It has helped her navigate her first year at the University of Iowa.

Two women sit in boat facing each other
Storhoff rowing as her coxswain guides their boat on the water

“Fall in love with the grit and the hard work that it takes for this sport. If you trust the process and throw yourself into working hard every single day, there are so many benefits,” Storhoff says. “The connections you make, the relationships you form – it makes it all worth it.”

By the end of her college career, Storhoff’s ultimate goal is to pursue graduate studies to fulfill her dream job as a school counselor back in her hometown of Decorah. She says the town has provided her with many opportunities, and she would love to give back to the community that has helped her along the way.

“What I enjoy most about being a student-athlete at the University of Iowa is the boundless opportunities to pursue my favorite interests with a welcoming and supportive community of like-minded individuals,” says Storhoff. “I am excited to be a part of the new Counseling and Behavioral Health Services program because I am passionate about improving the access and quality of mental health services to all, especially in Iowa schools.”