MacK Reyes loves movies like The Princess Bride, but when it comes to telling her own cinematic stories, she leans more toward genres such as horror, mystery, and thrillers.

The double major in cinema and screenwriting arts says women tend to be the stars of her stories.  

“And they normally end with the woman coming out on top in some way or another, which is unique in that genre, I think,” Reyes says. “I like doing that because, especially in slasher films, I want to change the ‘final girl’ back to being something more heroic in the sense of what it used to be back in the day.”

Reyes says she grew up writing and watching movies, and her dream has always been to be a director.

“I think my experience as a woman, and my cultural background of being a Mexican woman, is unique. I think I have a lot to bring to the industry,” Reyes says. “But at the end of the day, as long as I have the opportunity to create my work and get it out there and inspire even a couple people, that would be amazing. I feel like everyone in cinema screenwriting has big dreams of going on to win Oscars, be famous, and that’s fine, that’s fun. I would not say no to that. I’d be happy just doing what I love to do and hopefully inspire a few people along the way.”

Why did you decide to go to the University of Iowa?

I was a junior in high school, and I really wanted to pursue film or creative writing. When I came onto campus, I just felt like it was a community that I wanted to be a part of. Everyone was so nice and there was a smile on everyone’s faces. I had toured about 10 other universities before that, but none had the same vibe. And I remember coming here and just feeling welcomed already, even before I had even applied or been admitted. It just felt like a home away from home.

The other big factor was that the writing program here is really good. They also were emphasizing that the film program was growing, and I wanted to contribute to that.

What is your favorite memory from your time at Iowa?

One that I’ll always remember and I’ll always tell people about in the future is the football game when storms kept rolling in and they told everyone to go home. Then about 1 in the morning, they said people could come back if they want. So, my friends and I all crammed into an Uber and sped all the way there and raced into the stadium to get front-row seats. That was the only time I’ve ever been in the front row.

We finished the last of the game about 2 in the morning when it was still drizzling. The high I felt from that is something I’ll always remember and will definitely be something I talk about years from now.

No one can really say they were front row at 2 in the morning at Kinnick, except me.

What has provided you with your greatest sense of belonging at Iowa?

It may sound really cheesy, but it was my sorority, Alpha Chi Omega. I joined a sorority in part because I was not feeling that sense of belonging in my freshman year and I wasn’t meeting a lot of people. It seemed like everyone already had their group of friends. People knew each other.

I’ve met so many amazing people and they all became my best friends. I think if I wouldn’t have joined that organization, I definitely wouldn’t be where I am today and have made the memories I have today.

And it was because of that sense of belonging that I was also then able to branch out into more social aspects of my education, meet more people in my career path, and gain leadership opportunities. And that all boiled down to me joining that one organization. I’m very thankful that the University of Iowa became my home away from home, but my sorority also is like my second family.

What does it mean to you to be a Hawkeye?

I think it’s hard to boil it down into like one specific word or phrase because so many things come to mind. For me, it’s family. It’s community. It’s the Iowa Wave. It’s Caitlin Clark, the football team, Iowa City. It’s an abundance of things.

When you’re a Hawkeye, you’re a part of something that will outlast you. When you go to the University of Iowa and you join the Hawkeye family, that’s going to last you until the end of your days. I think the saying, “Once a Hawkeye, always a Hawkeye,” is so, so true.

What is an experience or opportunity you’ve had that you don’t think you would have gotten at another university?

I’ve held a lot of leadership positions, in my sorority and Panhellenic Council, which if I went to a different university, such as one that didn’t have a Greek life organization, I wouldn’t have been able to do that.

Also, because of how tight-knit the classes are here, I got to work closely with my professors and develop close relationships with them. That helped lead me to working on their projects and seeing how their creative abilities translate outside the classroom. It also helped influence my work. Those experiences are something I wouldn’t have gotten anywhere else except here.

Have you had a mentor who has especially impacted your time at Iowa?

I love all my professors, but if I had to pick one, it would be Anahita Ghazvinizadeh. She is my idol. She has done so much for me, more than just as a professor, and I really appreciate that. I’ve literally cried on the woman’s shoulder. She’s been there through thick and thin with me. She has helped me so much, and I don’t think I would be the creative person I am today without her guidance.

As a campus tour guide, what are your favorite things to show students?

I like taking them to the Campus Recreation and Wellness Center because you can see their eyes light up.

I also like showing the Pentacrest area because it is really beautiful. Especially when it’s nice and warm, it’s really inviting and welcoming, and there’s so many dogs around. It’s such a pet-friendly campus, and I always highlight that.

We also have so many award-winning trees. Nobody talks about the trees. I talk about the trees, though. Justice for the trees!