Name: Yihyun Jeong
Major: Journalism
Minor: Political Science and International Relations
Expected Graduation date: May 2015
Relationship Status: Single
Yihyun Jeong is currently pursuing a combined Bachelor’s and Master’s degree through ASU’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication with a specialization in Latino Issues. Last spring, Jeong traveled to Chiapas, MX for depth-reporting on the carbon market industry.
Jeong has worked at The Arizona Republic as a reporter for two years, and has also worked for USA Today and CNN. Currently, she works for the Public Insight Network at the Cronkite School, which increases public participation in newsgathering through community-engagement. Through PIN, she hopes to encourage a diverse range of sources to share knowledge and insights with journalists, and help them cover the news accurately and in greater depth.
She also participates in film competitions, but with all of these things under her belt, Jeong remains humble and (according to her) is “not cool” (an extremely inaccurate description of herself, by the way).
What is your greatest accomplishment thus far?
When I was in the second grade, I beat an eighth grader in a State chess tournament. That was probably my peak.
What’s the dream job?
So I was told that Campus Celebs get 5K a week for the rest of their lives, is that correct? If not, I suppose I would like to start my own production team. I want to produce films and data visualizations that tell compelling stories that can break down complex issues, humanize statistics and bridge the gap between perception and understanding.
What do you like to do in your spare time?
You would most likely find me on Craigslist.
Who is your biggest inspiration and why?
My grandfather, who taught me to always work hard; my sister, who taught me not to bullshit around; and my friends, who keep me on my toes.
Favorite food?
Coffee. Does coffee count as food?
Celebrity crush(es)?
Gian Demano aka Nov. ’13 Campus Celebrity. Ever since his rise to fame, I’ve been hardcore crushing. I’ve actually been hanging around the downtown campus, posing in the hallways trying to look like a celebrity. I’m glad HerCampus has finally caught on. What do you think of YiGi as our celeb couple name?
Describe your ideal date
Gian.
What are staple pieces in your wardrobe that you can’t live without?
Pants. I have found them to be pretty important.
Do you have any super cool talents?
I haven’t lost a game of tic-tac-toe since ’05.
What’s your favorite memory at ASU so far?
All the 12 Avenue tomfoolery. Shout out to the porch.
If you could get ice cream with anyone, dead or alive, who would it be and why?
I would totally share a rocky road with Vladimir Putin. I would ask him about his experience singing to Goldie Hawn and Kevin Costner (that really happened). And once the ice is broken (or the ice is licked?), I would move on to some tougher questions.