Genevieve Ryan

High school: Boylan Catholic High School

Hometown: Rockford, Ill.

Majors: Communication studies; political science; Spanish

Minor: History

Activities: Varsity women’s swimming and diving, Augustana Choir, Búhos Club, Augie Catholic, Campus Ministries, Political Science Student Advisory Council, Sigma Pi Delta sorority (honorary)

Internships: Summer teaching fellow at Galapagos Charter School in Rockford, Ill.; intern at Rockford Local Development Corporation in Rockford, Ill.

Post-grad plans: I’ll serve in the Jesuit Volunteer Corps as an assistant case manager at Homeboy Industries in Los Angeles.

Why Augustana?

Because I have a hard time choosing. I remember hearing on my campus visit that Augie students “do it all and do it well.” I knew coming to Augustana that I’d get the quality liberal arts education I wanted while engaging in all of the extras I love (without taking on crippling debt!). 

I didn’t want a single piece of myself to go untouched by my college experience, and I trusted that Augie would educate my whole person.

Are you where you thought you'd be when you first came to campus?

You could say that. I’ve done all of the things I planned on doing in college.

But I’m bolder than I thought I would be. I learned how to speak my mind and to interrogate what I think I know. I ask better questions than I used to. I’m more curious, more open-minded, more compassionate. 

I’m less certain than I thought I would be leaving college, but I have a higher tolerance for ambiguity and a stronger drive to discover. I know how I want to live my life, even if I don't know the details.

Who helped you get to where you are now?

I'm grateful to more people than I can include here, but I owe special thanks to the individuals whose impact on my life has been outstanding.

To Dr. Havard-Rockwell and Dr. Simonsen, for their examples of balance, for their sound advice and for always making time for a conversation. To Dr. Borderia-Garcia, Dr. Magalhães, Claire Brakel Packer and Sonja Hurty, for their encouragement, belief in my capabilities and generous investment in my growth. 

To Pastor Melinda and Dr. Croll, for teaching me the importance of dreaming and optimism, and for reminding me that it's okay to change my mind. To my coaches Ramsey Vens, Dan Lloyd and Amy Feltz, for seeing me as a leader and reminding me of my responsibility to advocate for myself and others. 

And to Dr. Snowball, Dr. Calder and Dr. Hurty, for changing the way I understand the world and myself. Their models of excellence and compassion challenge and inspire me.

I owe the biggest thank you to my parents. I wouldn't be anywhere without them.

Peak experience?

My trips to Ecuador have been the highlight of my Augie experience. As someone who had never left the United States before, studying abroad in Quito during the fall of my sophomore year and returning this past summer as a research assistant cracked the world wide open for me. I still can’t believe how at home I felt there.

What surprised you?

How dynamic campus is. There is *always* something happening. One of my favorite things about Augie is how easy it is to find both the familiar and the new right on campus. Finding an organization that matches your interests or an event that will introduce you to a new activity, idea or culture is pretty effortless here.

How did you use your Augie Choice?

I’m using my Augie Choice to go to Denmark, Norway and Sweden on tour with the Augustana Choir after graduation. I have a sneaking suspicion that this trip might just become my peak experience…

What will you miss the most?

The people. My friends, roommates, teammates, classmates and professors (and even my campus celebrities!) have given me a great sense of community and belonging. It's pretty special to have so many people I care about all in one place. I’ll miss having them all a short walk away.

Advice for the Class of 2030? 

College is about growing into yourself, but it should also be about getting outside of yourself. Be generous with your time and show up for someone else. Make service a priority. It will keep you grounded, and you’ll learn a lot along the way.