Selena Romano
Graduation year: 2018
Majors: Business administration-marketing, business administration-management
Minors: Communication studies, psychology
Activities: Mortar Board Senior National Honor Society, Business Club, Psi Chi (psychology), Advertising Developers (ADs), Phi Rho sorority, Board of Trustees Fellow, Relay for Life Marketing Committee
Internships: Mondelez International; Media Link Inc.; getFoodi in Sydney, Australia; Sherwin-Williams
Post-grad plans: A marketing-related job
Why Augustana?
The real reason I chose Augie was because of Courtney Wallace, my admissions counselor. After meeting both Courtney and Eric Rowell (admissions) on a summer visit day, I was convinced Augie was the place for me. They were both so incredibly passionate about Augie, which made me so incredibly passionate about Augie before I even came here! Furthermore, everyone was overall so much more concerned about who I was as a person, instead of my ACT score.
Are you where you thought you’d be when you first came to campus?
Absolutely not! I came into college being a nervous little freshman. I never thought I would be involved in so many organizations. I never thought I would have four internships. I never thought I would be getting multiple full-time, post-grad job offers. And lastly, I never thought I would have made the connections I made. Augustana has given me so many opportunities that I will forever be grateful for.
Who helped you get to where you are now?
Almost every professor I’ve ever had has had some impact on the type of person I am. Mamata Marmé and Leslie Scheck were also two hugely influential people and motivators throughout my collegiate career. Both Mamata and Leslie always pushed me to do more than I was doing, and without them, I would not be where I am.
Peak experience?
My peak experience was getting the opportunity to be president of Mortar Board. When I became president, Mortar Board didn’t do anything, but a couple of book drives, so this year I created an event called “Are You Smarter than an Augie Student?” The purpose was to bring more awareness to Mortar Board by allowing both students and professors to participate, while also raising money and collecting books for Longfellow Liberal Arts School and From Cover to Cover. We ended up raising nearly $500 and collecting roughly 350 books!
What surprised you?
My ability to manage so many things at once. My junior year, I had two jobs, an internship, three classes, and was involved in multiple organizations. I somehow learned to figure out how to manage all that at once, and I am incredibly impressed and proud of myself for that.
How did you use Augie Choice?
I used my Augie Choice to study abroad in Sydney, Australia, for an internship—best experience of my life!
What will you miss the most?
I know this is probably the most cliché answer, but I will miss all the people I met through Augie (including all of the faculty and staff, as well). I’ve met so many incredible people who have influenced me to be the best version of myself.
Advice for the Class of 2022?
Network yourself! Believe it or not, your professors aren’t just professors. They are involved in the community, and more often than not, they’ve had another job other than working at Augie, so they know a lot of people!
“Selena is one of the students that I deeply regret never seeing in the classroom. She is my advisee. She is wonderfully funny, just stopping in to let me know what is going on around her. She is exceedingly bright but never too concerned about that. She is passionate about things she is involved in, both in the classroom and outside. She is balanced as she forms her opinions. Selena listens, she remembers, she can synthesize what she is hearing, and she can articulate what she is thinking—beautifully.”