Hi! My name is Alyssa Thompson, and I'm a Marketing major in the Sykes College of Business. I'm originally from a small town in Central Illinois, and I've absolutely loved getting to experience everything UTampa and the city has to offer. One of the ways I'm involved on campus is through my sorority, Delta Gamma, where I've built meaningful friendships and grown as a leader. In my free time, I enjoy trying new restaurants with friends, spending time on the water, and meeting new people. I love sharing my experiences and helping others, especially when it comes to making potential students feel excited, welcomed, and confident about choosing UTampa!

Hometown

Decatur, Illinois​/​USA

Major(s)

Marketing

Minor(s)

Professional Selling

Clubs, organizations & involvement

Last year: Delta Gamma, and Scuba Diving Club. This year I hope to joinUTampa Beach Society and a professional club.

Describe your college experience

Coming to UTampa from a small town in Central Illinois was a huge change. I was moving to a city and starting college knowing absolutely no one, which was intimidating at first. I quickly found my place by getting involved, attending campus events early, and putting myself out there. Joining Delta Gamma helped me build lifelong friendships and truly made UTampa feel like home. Looking back, coming here was one of the best decisions I've ever made, and I hope to help future students feel just as excited and confident about starting their own journey.

Tip for future students

A tip I would give future student is to attend as many welcome events as possible EARLY to meet new people, but more importantly, make an effort to keep those connections. One of the easiest ways to do that is by saying hi or waving to people you recognize when you see them around campus. I would encourage new students to be the one to ask or invite someone to get coffee, study, or take a walk. Those small interactions can turn into meaningful friendships and help make campus feel like home.

Favorite class

My favorite class has probably been Business 101. I really enjoyed my professor because she kept the class engaging. Even though it was in the evening, I always looked forward to going.

Career goals

After graduating, I hope to build a career in marketing where I can combine strategy and creativity. I am especially interested in social media, branding, and marketing. I would also love to work for a company where I can create meaningful connections with others.

Ideal way to spend a free night

My ideal way to spend a free night is getting dressed up, taking cute pictures, and going to a fun restaurant with my friends. It's always nice to catch up with everyone, especially if we haven't seen each other much during the week.

High school or secondary school

Mt. Zion High School, Mt. Zion, Illinois

Previous college

N​/​A

Favorite spot on campus

My favorite spot on campus is the Brevard Courtyard. I go there for everything-to study, eat, call my mom, or just relax between classes. It has the perfect amount of background noise without being too distracting, and I also love seeing all the different events that take place there.