ALECIA TROMICZAK
Assistant Director of Admission
Direct: (507) 933-6171
Toll-free: 1-800-GUSTAVUS
Territory:
Life before Gustavus
I grew up in Minneapolis and kept busy playing soccer, taking ballet classes, and “touring” Minnesota hockey rinks watching my older brother’s games. I truly loved school and homework, too. I graduated from Southwest High School where I was in the International Baccalaureate Program which helped prepare me for Gustavus academics. At Gustavus, I pursued majors that offered many classes to which I was most attracted. I played soccer all four years, and was lucky enough to conclude my college career in San Diego, CA in the regional final of the NCAA Tournament. Also, I traveled to Mississippi and Georgia for two Habitat for Humanity Spring Break Work Trips. However, some of my fondest Gustavus memories are simply spending time in the dorms with my friends. After graduating, I made one of the best decisions of my life (at that point), and moved to the Boston, MA area. Knowing I would always return home to Minnesota, I lived out east for two and a half years before settling here in the Admission Office.
What are your professional/work interests?
I really enjoy working with students as they navigate their college search. This can be an overwhelming process, and is unique to each individual, so I’m passionate about being a friendly and informative resource. I especially enjoy working with programs that assist underrepresented students gain access to and be successful in college.
What is your best college search tip?
Get to know your admission counselors! Attend their visits to your career center, check in with them at college fairs, email them, and meet with them when you visit their campus. We are here to help you demystify the college search process and to provide you with as much information as possible for you to make an informed and confident college decision. In turn, it allows for the opportunity for counselors to make a personal connection with a paper application.
What do you learn from interacting with Gustavus students?
It is actually quite humbling being surrounded by Gustavus students. Their talent, versatility and energy, as well as their ability to balance a full schedule of schoolwork with co-curricular activities, continually amazes me. I have learned that you can play hard and work hard, achieve excellence and balance, and all with great modesty.
What do you value most about working at Gustavus?
I feel very lucky to be working with such wonderful people who are full of passion and energy. It’s contagious! Also, I greatly value the opportunity to attend campus events, such as the Nobel Conference, concerts in the Courtyard Café, speakers, and fine arts performances.
What are your hobbies?
Anything I can do outside: hiking, camping, dining, reading, running, walking to the store (when others might drive)…and the list goes on. That said, I have yet to find a passion for an outside winter activity. (However, I do still walk to work in the depths of winter!) Also, I will include that “watching The West Wing” is an enormously enjoyable hobby of mine as well.
What is your favorite Gustavus tradition?
It may not be a “tradition” in the, uh, traditional sense, but cheering on the Gustie teams at home athletic events is a favorite of mine. Not only do we have incredibly talented and hard working athletes, we have some of the best fans in the country! Other traditions that I always look forward to are the International Festival when I can sample ethnic foods from around the world right on campus (and for free, too!), move-in day for first-year students (the beginning of Orientation weekend), and Dancing with the Profs (though, admittedly, I’ve never been around to watch the actual competition).
