Two years ago, I fell in love with an organization I really knew nothing about. I discovered Her Campus at IUP and immediately it sparked a fire inside me. I didn’t know anything about it, but I knew I wanted to be a part of it. Nervously, I emailed Johanna and asked about joining. I had no idea that email would essentially change the rest of my college career. As a shy sophomore, I applied to be a writer, not knowing anything about how the online-writing world works. Through a series of happy accidents, at the end of my sophomore year, I was offered the position as President and Co-Campus Correspondent of the organization.
The overwhelming sense of pride I had when I got to add the title of Campus Correspondent to my email signature was unreal. But with that pride came an equal fear of failure. Her Campus has been my biggest pride, and biggest challenge. The position brought me many sleepless nights, constant social media notifications, a constantly full email inbox, dozens of otherwise impossible friendships, and an unexplainable amount of happiness.
This year has been a rollercoaster of ups and downs, planning things, and making it up as we go along sometimes. We may not have always known what we were doing, but we made it through somehow! It may not feel like we’ve always had it all together, but we are in the top 15% of all chapters, so somehow we must have sort of an idea!
I want to thank my Co-Campus Correspondent, Jessica, for being my opposite, and my sanity when I feel like everything is falling apart. Thank you for being the best VP I could ever imagine, and thank you for dealing with my rants and freakouts and last minute deadlines.
Her Campus obviously would not be what it is without each and every one of the editors, writers, event planners, and social media managers that is involved. Each person brings a unique personality and viewpoint to the organization, and without even one of you we would not have earned our Pink Chapter Level. Without the team, Galentine’s Day, Take Back the Night, our collaborations, and weekly requirements never would have gotten done!
I want to especially thank Johanna Thompson and Beth Warner for keeping Her Campus alive, and giving me the opportunity of a lifetime to lead this organization. You ladies did so much for the organization, and I am so blessed to be able to follow in your footsteps, leading Her Campus IUP toward a bright, bright future.
This turned out to be more of a thank you letter than a reflection. I could go on and on describing all of the wonderful people that helped our small group transform into what it is today. Her Campus at IUP pushed me to my limits in more ways than I can think. Stepping down as president feels like I’m giving my baby away to someone else. It’s heart-wrenching, painful, but it is definitely a growing and learning experience.
To the new CCs, Her Campus IUP literally feels like my baby. I’ve loved it, laughed about it, stressed about it, and cried about it (more than I want to admit). Treat the publication kindly, and give it all you can, and I promise it will reward you a million times over. I can’t even put into words what it has done for me, and how it has helped transition me to the person I am today.
To the writers, readers, supporters, and community, thank you for everything.
HCxo,
Your (former) President,
Amanda Rice