Alexis Minasian is a Senior English Literature and Language major who is minoring in Psychology. She just transferred to Western Illinois University (WIU) from Illinois State University at the beginning of the fall 2025 semester. She is in her first year with The Mirror & the Lamp at WIU.

M&L: What is your weekday routine as an English major/minor?

AM: My weekday routine as an English major starts off by waking up early. I take care of my two little Malteses and then head outside to let my chickens, ducks, turkeys, guineas, geese, and goats out of the barn for the day. After doing morning chores, if it is a Monday, Wednesday, or Friday, I hop on Zoom to attend ENG 299 and ENG 304. On Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays, I am opening my mobile coffee shop in town, bright and early with my wife, Serenah. In my free time, I like to sit outside, watch all of my animals run around, and tend to my garden.

M&L: What are you weekends like?

AM: On weekends, my wife and I open up our mobile coffee shop called The Coffee Coop. We take it into town and set up shop for a couple of hours in the morning. The nights before we open the coffee shop, I’m usually baking all of the goodies for the next day, such as cinnamon rolls, focaccia bread, and sourdough bread. After working the coffee shop, I usually come home and spend the rest of my weekend spending time relaxing with my wife, dogs, and farm animals, and having Bible studies.

M&L: What book are all your English peers reading that lies beyond assigned texts for class?

AM: Someone that I know is currently reading The Secret Diaries of Miss Anne Lister, a series of decoded diaries from a 19th century business woman and lesbian.

M&L: What book has changed your life as an undergraduate?

AM: I wouldn’t say that I have read a book that has changed my life as an undergraduate, but the poetry that I am constantly reading, usually from the Romantic Era, is always reminding me to slow down and enjoy the little things.

M&L: Where do you hang out on campus?

AM: I take all of my classes online or as a livestream student, so I am rarely on campus. When I occasionally come to campus, it is usually for an English department event, so I don’t really have a spot where I hang out on campus.

M&L: Where do you hang out off campus?

AM: I live about forty-five minutes off campus in the middle of nowhere, so I usually spend most of my time at home!

M&L: What has been or will be your biggest adventure as an undergraduate English major/minor?

AM: My biggest adventure so far during my undergrad as an English major would probably be just being an English major! I just recently switched my major to English as I was previously majoring in Agriculture. It is very different, but I am so glad that I made the jump!