How to import information from an excel spreadsheet, but flow in columns once in InDesign

Please read what I am wanting to do before you respond.

I am working on a commencement booklet for a local college. The client supplied me an excel spreadsheet with the information organized into columns (first name, last name, degree, and so on). Once in InDesign, I want to be able to use this information, but organize it in a manner in which the information is formatted and flows like the example below. I would also like to be able to format certain information with styles as it's placed in. For example the degree title needs to be italicized.

How I want the information to look. I have it set up in a four column textbox and it needs to flow as such:

Does anyone have any suggestions in how I can accomplish this instead of copying and pasting from excel and then manually formatting it once in InDesign? I am thinking I would use a data merge in some way, but I'm not sure where to go with it. I also have an inkling that I am supposed to create a script, but I have no knowledge in that area. Thank you for any help!