Vanessa Reyes graduated from Augustana College with majors in political science and minors in ethics and women's and gender studies. She was involved in many extracurricular activities including Phi Beta Kappa, Office of Student Life and Leadership, WAUG Radio, College Democrats, Mortar Board, Latinos Unidos, and Pi Sigma Alpha. Her professor, Dr. Laura Hartman, observed Vanessa grow from a shy student to an outspoken advocate for justice through her liberal arts education and involvement on campus. After graduation, Vanessa plans to work for a nonprofit in Seattle through Lutheran Volunteer Corps.

1. Seniors look at what they’ve accomplished and see opportunities ahead.
Vanessa’s activities: Phi Beta Kappa, Office
of Student Life and Leadership, WAUG Radio,
College Democrats, Mortar Board, Latinos Unidos,
Pi Sigma Alpha
“I’ve known Vanessa from her first year, and I
have seen her quietly grow from a shy student at
the back of an honors classroom to an outspoken
advocate for justice. Vanessa has a bold intellect,
bravely integrating knowledge and wisdom from
multiple aspects of her liberal arts education.
I’ve seen her sign up for an extra class, just
because she was interested in the topic; advocate
for justice by joining other students protesting
on campus; and win awards for her insightful
academic work. Vanessa is a quiet powerhouse
who will continue to metabolize diverse
experiences into wisdom and strength for her
future. I can’t wait to see where the path to her
future takes her!”
— Dr. Laura Hartman, associate professor,
religion
Vanessa Reyes
Major: Political science
Minors: Ethics, women’s and gender studies
Internships: City of Moline Executive Office
Post-grad plans: At least for next year (but hopefully for longer than a year), I will be
working for a non-profit in Seattle through Lutheran Volunteer Corps.
Why did you choose Augustana?
Augie was just a lot of “rights” — right size, right distance from home, right liberal arts
environment, right financial aid package. At the end of the day, it just felt right for me.
Are you where you thought you’d be four years ago?
Not at all. I came in wanting to be a neuroscience major but quickly realized it
wasn’t for me. I took a political theory class just because and knew I should major in
political science instead. I also figured that I would go to graduate school right after
graduating, but have instead decided that I would like to get into the workforce first.
The past four years have not gone at all how I thought they would, but that’s OK. I’m
very happy where I am right now.
Who helped you get to where you are now?
First and foremost, my family and friends. They’ve supported me in every possible way
a person can be supported, and I absolutely wouldn’t be where I am today without them.
I’m also grateful to all of my professors. I’ve taken a great variety of classes, and I’ve
learned a lot — both factual matters but also more importantly, things that I can apply
to the “real world.” I feel like my professors took a personal interest in my learning,
which has been really great.
A peak experience?
Being in the beautiful Cascade Mountains with a great group of people and avoiding
the frigid Midwest winter for six weeks during a study-away trip to Holden Village,
Wash., last winter term was definitely a peak experience. I made some great friends
and went on some great hikes. The classes were interesting, and I really enjoyed the
experience of living in an intentional community that strives to live in accordance
with values geared towards social justice and environmentalism. The time I spent in
Holden was the reason I decided to apply to Lutheran Volunteer Corps — so it had a
big impact on me.
My internship with the City of Moline this past summer was another peak experience.
I was able to put into practice some of the things I’d learned in the classroom, and I
learned a lot from the experience that I was able to apply in classes and will utilize in
the future as well.
What did you learn about yourself in these past four years that surprised
you?
I guess that I could be a leader. In high school, I wasn’t really involved in much. I
wanted to change that in college, but I didn’t really see myself as a leader. And though
at times I’ve been very reluctant to take on leadership positions, I have been a leader
for a few organizations and that was definitely unexpected for me.
How did you use your Augie Choice?
I used my Augie Choice to live in Rock Island this past summer while I interned for the
City of Moline.
What will you miss the most?
Definitely the people and the sense of community and of being “at home.” I really
enjoy walking through campus and knowing people. I am also going to miss living with
or near my best friends and being able to go on spontaneous adventures and even just
hanging out and doing nothing.
Advice for the Class of 2019?
Be open-minded and don’t be afraid to try new things, but also don’t feel like you need
to do everything. It’s great to try out a bunch of different organizations or majors, but
try to find one or two things that you love and just focus on those because you’ll get
much more meaningful experiences that way.