If you have not yet met or heard of Iesha Heyward, you are living under a rock. As a graduating senior majoring in health science, this girl has totally rocked the Clemson campus during her four years as an undergraduate student and has the most contagious smile known to man. She has served as the president of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., Vice President of Membership for Order of Omega, serves on the Student Health Advisory Committee, and is also a member of Eta Sigma Gamma Honors Society. Starting in June, you can catch her in Charleston, S.C. as she begins the next step in her career at the Medical University of South Carolina.
So how do you feel being nominated as Clemson's Most Eligible Bachelorette? It feels awesome! I always look for this section in the newspaper and I am so excited to be featured! It makes being single not so bad after all!
You are a health science major -- tell us about that experience. Health science is one of the best majors on campus for anyone who wants to work in the health care field. The classes are so current with what is going on in the real world; you get experience by just being in class. The faculty and the students in the major are so supportive of each other and everyone wants the best for the major, as a whole. Whether you want to go medical school, dental school or become a health administrator, like myself, this major is great for collaborating with everyone you would work with in the future!
Tell us about your worst date. I would have to say my worst date was at the Chili's on campus, sophomore year, where basically the guy took me there to tell me he didn't like me and didn't want to be with me. I started sobbing and of course was so embarrassed that I was crying. It was awful. Just awful!
What advice would you give guys about dating? I would tell guys to always be yourself and just be honest! Girls don't like when you change after the first couple of dates, nor do they like being lied to! I love when I meet a guy and he's not trying too hard to be someone different, but I am just impressed by the real person he is.
How has being a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha helped to shape you as the bachelorette you are? Oh, my goodness, this answer could be an essay! Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. has helped shape me to become the strong woman I am today. The sorority taught me how to be the relentless leader that I am today, and brought me so much closer to everything else Clemson's campus had to offer. I made so many unforgettable connections inside and outside of the sorority that would have never happened with out it. AKA has taught me to how to be successful beyond college.
What's your favorite building on campus and why? My favorite building would have to be Lee Hall, it's like a real museum with art sculptures and architecture everywhere. Even though I am not artistic at all, I love looking at it!
Describe a perfect date. A perfect date with a guy would be something really different, something that would completely take me by surprise. I'm really down for anything (as my friends say) and always willing to try new things. As long as you make me laugh and smile (which isn't hard!), I would have a great time doing anything. Hint, hint -- I've always wanted to go horseback riding.
What types of characteristics are you searching for in your next relationship? In my next relationship, I'm really looking for a guy that's honest with everything he does and is super driven to be successful after college. Right now, I am very focused on graduate school and starting my career path off strong, so I am looking for someone that is focused, also. But I am also looking for someone who can find the balance between being serious and having a good time. I work at a bar downtown (356 Sushi and Martini Bar) so while I am serious about the future, I am having a great time right now.
What's a make or break for you? Someone who doesn't like to try new things. I am pretty adventurous and believe that you can try everything at least once in life. Doing the same things over and over gets really boring. I like a new experience, that's how you experience life, even if it's cheesy like taking a walk in the park, I'll say let's go!
What is one of your hidden talents? Bartending -- I can make you a pretty tasty drink!
Plans after graduation? I am attending the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston, for a Masters of Health Administration. I am sad to be leaving Clemson, but I am more excited to be living downtown Charleston for the next two years!
Chick-fil-A or Bojangles? Chick-fil-A 100 percent!
What has been your most memorable experience at Clemson thus far?
One of my most memorable experiences at Clemson was not only being nominated for Miss Homecoming in 2015, but ending up being the first runner up! It was such an honor that people outside of my friends even voted for me! It was crazy, all the support I had, and so thankful for the opportunity. I could not have asked for a better football memory then being driven around on a float during the Homecoming half time!
