It’s Homecoming at Northwestern, and we’re SO excited to show our wildcat pride this weekend. For the first time in Northwestern’s Her Campus history, we’re featuring two women as our campus cuties for this week. Who says that only boys can be cuties, and girls celebrities? We want to honor the incredible men AND women who are making waves around campus. To kick-off the next two days, we talked to Homecoming co-chairs Alisha Gomez and Jen Reese about their role in Homecoming and why it’s so special.
Thanks for agreeing to speak with us! What have been your primary responsibilities as co-chairs?
J: We really focus on making Homecoming a cohesive series of events for campus and the community. Alisha and I spend a lot of time working and communicating with Alumni Relations and Development, Athletics, and other staff offices around campus. During Homecoming Week we are on-site problem solving and generally providing support to all aspects of Homecoming.
A: We also promote homecoming and let the general student body know what is happening during the week and try to get attendance numbers up.
What has the prep looked like?
J: Alisha and I accepted our positions in winter quarter of last academic year, and once that happens, things really start moving. We get an exec board in place and by the time we hit spring we’re building a schedule, booking spaces, and starting to really formulate what the week is going to look like. Over the summer we email and take calls, focusing on locking down contracts and creating a tangible idea of what the week will be like. Fall is crazy, and there’s a lot of work, but it’s the most fun.
How was the theme picked?
A: The theme is a joint effort to create with the exec board. Everyone pitches 2-3 events that we then narrow down and then vote. And once the vote goes through we get it approved by administration.
J: We had a lot of really, really good ideas this year. Narrowing it down was one of the most difficult aspects of the Spring.
What are you most excited about for this weekend?
A: I’m excited for the parade and obviously the game against Iowa.
J: I’m really excited for the parade and the game on Saturday. I love seeing Evanston flooded with purple and the amount of pride people have for this school. So many people come back year after year and it’s great to hear their memories of Northwestern.
NU Alum crush?
A: It’s a close tie between Seth Meyers and Stephen Colbert. Which I feel is super cliche but I can’t pick any particular alum who is my crush.
J: An alum crush is hard. Can I say Matt Grevers? I’m gonna say Matt Grevers.
A: Do ittttttt.
Make sure to check out the game against Iowa tomorrow at 11 a.m.!