Meet the face behind my deep tummy laughs and the main reason I actually attend class, Alyssa Swanson. Alyssa is a junior, elementary education major at Illinois State University. On top of going to class and attending sporting events in her free time, she is also an ISU Swimmer and headed to conference this week.
I just recently had the pleasure of getting to know a little more about her through an interview with Her Campus Illinois State.
Name: Alyssa Swanson
Year/Major: Junior, Elementary Education
Hometown: Eden Prairie, MN
Favorite Food: Bread. Bring on the carbs.
Celebrity Crush: Nick Jonas (yes I know he’s only like 5’7 but I’m only 5’4, okay)
Her Campus: So Alyssa, we are all dying to know- why did you choose ISU, given that you are originally from Minnesota?
Alyssa Swanson: When it came time to apply for colleges, both of my parents suggested I consider ISU since they both went here. So naturally, like the mature adult I obviously was at the time, I said “absolutely not!” I grudgingly applied since I knew my mom would love to be able to say her daughter got into her former school, but I still REALLY didn’t want to like it. Fast forward a couple months, and I came on a recruiting trip here and fell in love with the quad, the quality of the education program, and the girls on the Swim Team. I was sold. The hard part was admitting to my parents that they were right.
HC: Who is your role model and why?
AS: My mom. Anyone who’s managed to put up with me for the last 21 years is a saint, but she truly is my rock. She’s the epitome of the strong-willed, independent woman I aspire to be.
HC: Because this question is so important and will tell us a lot about who you are, if you could have dinner with three people (dead or alive) who would they be and why?
AS: Alright, buckle up. First we’ve definitely gotta invite 35-year-old Harrison Ford. No I am definitely not a low-key Star Wars nerd, and no that was not me that you saw dressed as a storm trooper last Halloween.
Next we’ve got Alexander Hamilton, since my sister, Olivia, has managed to get me absolutely hooked on the musical about him.
Lastly, Carris, we’ve been talking about breadsticks in class for the last month, wanna get dinner?
HC: Apart from your undeniable sense of humor, what is one quality you feel best describes you?
AS: Enduring. I’ve had a few different circumstances come my way that gave me ample opportunities to back down or quit, especially when it comes to swimming, but courtesy of my unbelievably stubborn personality, I’ve yet to let anyone tell me I can’t do something.
HC: What is your biggest fear?
AS: Disappointing my loved ones. There’s nothing more terrifying than the phrase “we’re not mad, we’re just disappointed.” I cringe just thinking about it.
HC: What do you like to do in your free time?
AS: Sleeping. Being a full-time student athlete is pretty draining so when I do stumble across a few spare hours, odds are I’m examining my eyelids. BUT if by some off chance I’m wide awake, Netflix Documentaries are happening (the scarier the better!)
HC: If you could describe yourself in one word, using either the first letter of your first name or first letter of your last name, what would that be and why?
AS: A- Always-Hungry; that’s one word right?
HC: Where do you think you’ll see yourself in 10 years?
AS: In the mirror, probably.
HC: What is your absolute favorite thing to do here at the ILSTU?
AS: I like hitting up sporting events! Football, basketball, baseball, club hockey, gymnastics, maybe a swim meet or two, you name it! I’m down to go watch it. Eating a scary number of cheese balls at the Pub is always good too.
HC: What are some characteristics of your dream guy?
AS: He’s gotta conquer the daunting task of making me laugh more than I laugh at myself. Bonus points if he looks like a 35-year-old Harrison Ford and talks like a 35-year-old Harrison Ford. Just be 35-year-old Harrison Ford.
HC: And lastly, what is one random fact that no one would know about you just by looking at you?
AS: I have a horrible habit of setting off metal detectors since I have a pacemaker. I got it when I was 17 courtesy of a condition called Neurocardiogenic Syncope, but I have been lucky enough to still be able to compete in swimming at a collegiate level… if your dream girl just so happens to have titanium in her chest, look no further.
Thank you so much for taking the time to interview with us, Alyssa, and best of luck at your conference meet!