ASU swimmer dives into graduation with dual majors

Ginger McMahon’s mom instilled in her an interest in religion and politics from a young age, she says. She recounts discussing foreign affairs as a family in elementary school, with her mom emphasizing the importance of staying up to date on current events.

When it came time to enroll in college, McMahon knew where she wanted to study. She traded the waterfront views of Grosse Pointe Shores, Michigan, for the mountains and cactuses of Tempe, choosing Arizona State University for its prestige as an institution, as well as its exemplary swimming programs. 

McMahon was a member of the ASU Women’s Swimming and Diving team her entire collegiate career, specializing in breaststroke. She was part of the Big 12 Women and Men’s Swim and Dive Team Champions for 2025 and 2026, as well as a Big 12 Individual Champion in 2026 and second-team All-American at the NCAA Championships in 2026. 

This spring, McMahon is graduating with dual bachelor’s degrees in religious studies (religion, politics and global affairs) and communication. Both degrees have been vital for her future, she says, with one preparing her to have meaningful conversations with people from different cultures and backgrounds, and the other helping her handle issues of global and political affairs. 

“Pursuing a double major has been incredibly rewarding, especially as both fields compliment each other so beautifully,” she said. 

McMahon emphasized the importance of choosing degrees whose curricula fit together well, saying this was a “game changer” that actually lessened her workload overall. She believes her dual degrees will show employers that she isn’t afraid of hard work, as well as her dedication to deepening her understanding of religion, politics and communication. 

After graduation, she plans to return to ASU, pursuing her master’s degree in global security and serving as a graduate assistant for the swim team. 

We spoke to McMahon to learn more about her time at ASU. 

Question: What's something you learned while at ASU that surprised you or changed your perspective?

Answer: Something I learned that changed my perspective during my time as an undergraduate at ASU was the important, yet widely underlooked and undervalued, concept of what makes religious violence particularly "violent" in the eyes of journalists and the public at large. Why is secular violence deemed "OK" and "mainstream," but when religion is involved, it is seen as inherently more aggressive? Debunking this myth was one of the most fascinating discoveries I had learned in class.

Q: Which professor taught you one of the most important lessons you've learned at ASU? What was the lesson?

A: Dr. Devin Burns has taught me the important lesson of slowing down and taking the proper time to get your work done in a meaningful way. She structured our REL 405 class so each week we had a section to read and a paragraph to write of our final research paper. I loved the setup of the curriculum for the semester, because it allowed me to take in every piece of information with a curious eye, rather than rushing just to complete the assignment. I appreciate being given the time to find something new in each piece I read.

Q: Did any other ASU support play a role in your journey?

A: Besides the constant support I received from my professors and advisors, my coaches and teammates here at ASU were major sources of support for me. They are my home away from home, and I am eternally grateful for all the ways they have lifted me and loved me.

Q: What's the best piece of advice you'd give to those still in school? 

A: The best piece of advice I can give someone still in school is to remember rough patches never last longer than you can withstand them, and to always be in communication with your professors. Not only do they want to hear from you, but they want to help you succeed, in whatever way that looks for you. When the going gets tough, never be too proud to ask for help — turn it into your greatest superpower.

Q: If someone gave you $40 million to solve one problem on our planet, what would you tackle?

A: If someone gave me $40 million to tackle a problem on our planet, it would be to create a way to eliminate infectious disease that kills millions per year. I would fund medicines and distribution systems to ensure treatments reach those who do not typically have access to such medicines. I would scale up vaccine delivery and create basic surgical care in areas where that does not exist.