Just five years ago, when senior Mira Soin from Dayton, Ohio, was applying to colleges, her mind was set on Auburn University. Growing up, she had always imagined her future as a War Eagle — her grandfather earned three degrees there. But her Clemson campus tour with tour guide Julia Blouin ’23 on March 11, 2022, changed her mind and her future.
What Mira found on that tour was more than a campus; she discovered a community driven by connection, ambition, and spirit. She took a risk by choosing Clemson, but that risk set off a journey characterized by ingenuity, leadership, and the individuals who pushed her Fiercely Forward.
Now, as a senior marketing major and brand communications minor, Mira has immersed herself
in countless opportunities across campus, from leadership in Clemson University Tour Guides to student-run agencies, athletics, and more. Inspired by tour guide Julia, her decision to join a sorority quickly opened the door to many contacts and opportunities throughout the University. Though Clemson is a medium-sized school, she says it feels much smaller and more personal the more you get involved. “I feel like by getting involved, I now know someone in every corner of campus,” she says. “That’s really special.”
This past December, Mira took a leap of faith and applied for an internship with Fans First, the company behind the Savannah Bananas tour. By the following spring, she was in Clemson, SC, meeting her team for the first time at rehearsals before the game—just as countless Tiger fans were experiencing the tour at Memorial Stadium for the first time. She spent this past summer jumping right into Fans First/Bananas 101, learning all 11 of the organization’s guiding principles and basic values. She soon discovered that marketing can be learned anywhere, as this experience pushed her to think creatively and unconventionally, always coming up with new ideas and making snap judgments. Outside of work, Mira had the opportunity to interact with Clemson alums during games; one group even volunteered their contact information for mentorship by sending a selfie to Wendy York, dean of the Wilbur O. and Ann Powers College of Business. On tour in Philadelphia, another alumna recognized her Clemson Ring, resulting in a unique moment spent together. Moving to Savannah, according to Mira, was frightening and a real leap of faith. Still, it gave her the opportunity to travel, develop, and truly embrace the wild, exciting world of sports entertainment.
However, her learning began way before her internship did. Mira got invaluable experience starting with the application process that got her in the door with the Savannah Bananas. The Fans First selection process was very demanding and involved four to five rounds of interviews. Mira credits her supporters for giving her the courage to take the risk. In fact, it was one of her mentors, Sammy Rousch, who first encouraged Mira to look into an internship with the Savannah Bananas.
“It’s been so inspiring to watch Mira evolve from a curious student into a confident, capable professional ready to take on whatever she sets her mind to,” said Rousch. “Helping students connect their passions with purpose is something I feel very strongly about, and Mira embodies that to a tee. She’s a great example of how guidance and encouragement can open doors to opportunities students might not have imagined for themselves. All it takes is someone believing in them.”
Throughout the Fans First hiring process, Mira was cheered on by mentors and instructors at the Wilbur O. and Ann Powers College of Business, including sports marketing professors Amanda Cooper Fine and Angeline Scheinbaum. Sports and entertainment are a perfect fit for Mira because she did not want a stagnant environment in marketing. The combination of unique experiences and pushes out of her comfort zone during both the selection process and the internship itself resulted in huge growth for Mira.
Mira felt supported and encouraged from the first essay application, which introduced her to Fans First’s fundamental principles, to her phone conversation with recruiting manager Maren Finnegan. Maren’s description of the Fans First culture reminded Mira of the value of people and connection that embodies the Clemson spirit, so she knew she was on the right track. And Fans First felt the same way about her. When Mira interviewed with Emily, the very first thing she asked was, ‘So I’ve heard a lot about how much you love Clemson—can you tell me why that is?’ That genuine connection stood out immediately. ‘That kind of passion is exactly the feeling we’re trying to replicate here at Fans First,’ said owner Emily Cole.
Mira’s journey is evidence of Clemson’s commitment to creating the best student experience in the country using connection and experiential learning. On her course-changing campus tour in March of 2022, Mira was told that Clemson transforms you into
a better person than when you arrived. Now, in the fall of her senior year, this is one outcome she values the most when reflecting on her Clemson Experience, which has consistently delivered on that promise. Mira has been blessed with amazing supporters who have encouraged her to push herself and take chances throughout her time at Clemson.
Mira’s story exemplifies the impact of Clemson Elevate: experiential learning, life-changing mentorship, and transformative experiences that equip students to launch Fiercely Forward into lives of significance. The most important thing Mira can tell aspiring Tigers is exactly what tour guide Julia told her: to get involved. She arrived at Clemson as a wide-eyed high school student, unsure if her leaps of faith would pay off, and this coming May, she will depart a confident leader and proud member of the Class of 2026.
