Campus Cutie: Lauren LesserHometown: Mount Laurel, NJPOE: Professional Writing with a Digital Writing TrackSecondary Emphases: Information Technology and Integrated Media ArtsGraduation Year: 2016
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Campus Cutie: Kirstin McKenzieHometown: Huntingdon, PAPOE: Health CommunicationGraduation Year: 2016
When I think about the qualities that a Campus Cutie should possess, like being community oriented, unity focused, talented, intellectual, and extraordinary, Lauren Lesser and Kirstin McKenzie are the first two people that come to my mind. Not only are they my best friends, but they also truly embody these qualities through their exemplary leadership on and off campus.
1.How do you serve the Juniata community and/or your home community?
LL: Here at Juniata, I am involved with the Bonner Leader program. Through Bonner, I participate in many service projects and events and am currently helping to organize an Easter Egg Hunt for the residents of Huntingdon Nursing and Rehab. I also volunteer with Big Brothers Big Sisters, participate in various on-campus days of service, and have gone on the Urban Immersion winter service trips.
KM: At Juniata, I am the president of Colleges Against Cancer, where we aim to spread awareness of cancer and promote advocacy on campus. The National Society of Leadership and Success is in its first year here at Juniata, and I am proud to say I am a member of the founding executive board. The society strives to build leaders who make a better world, and I think we are serving the Juniata community by promoting the qualities of leadership and success among the student population.
2. In what ways would you consider yourself to be unity focused?
LL: I have always been a team player. I am a member of Juniata’s softball team and have loved being able to make a connection with my teammates both on and off the field. We are able to motivate and encourage one another to be our best selves. I also serve as a resident assistant, which has given me the opportunity to meet and work with a wide variety of students. I love being involved in the community and enjoy helping others realize that they can make a difference, too.
KM: I work for the Office of Conferences and Events on campus and the job responsibilities include interacting with and working closely with various other offices on campus to create successful events for student and faculty alike. Without the sense of unity on this campus, things would not run as smoothly as they do now.
3. Do you have any special talents/passions/interests?
LL: I really enjoy reading and writing. I am a bit of a bookworm and absolutely love reading mysteries (especially when paired with a big mug of hot chocolate!).
KM: I love to travel. It doesn’t matter whether I’m traveling in the United States or abroad, I love the adventure in any travel experience. I have not spent a single fall break or spring break at home or on campus since I started school at Juniata.
4. Have you done any work in your field? Do you have any internships planned? What would be your dream job be in relation to your POE?
LL: I have been able to write and design layout for the Juniatian for the past several semesters, allowing me to catch a glimpse of that line of work. This summer, I will be writing the class notes for the alumni magazine, and I am looking forward to learning a different style of writing. As of right now, I am still unsure whether I want to go into publishing or web design, or if I would like to attend law school for Internet policy law.
KM: Part of the work I have done in Conferences and Events relates to my field in that I would like to incorporate event planning into my future career in some way. As a Health Communication POE, my ultimate goal is to end up in some facet of public health where I can work with people. I don’t see myself sitting behind a desk for the rest of my life. I have been accepted into an internship program as a part of my study abroad experience in Edinburgh, Scotland next semester. I have yet to find out where I will be placed, but my hope is that it will be in the field of public health with an emphasis in either event planning or marketing. I also plan to intern at J.C. Blair Memorial Hospital as a special events coordinator upon my return from studying abroad.
5. What would you consider to be some of your strengths? What makes you “extraordinary”? What would you want for people to know about you?
LL: I love to smile. I think a positive mentality can go a long way and that laughter truly can serve as the best medicine. I get excited about the small things in life and have a can-do attitude, especially when the odds aren’t particularly in my favor.
KM: Whether this should be considered a strength or not, I don’t know, but I have a hard time saying no to people. I usually take on whatever task I am asked to do whether or not I have the time to do so. My schedule rarely has empty time slots, but I thrive on being busy and I would say that it has helped me develop good organizational and time-management skills. I pride myself on my ability to balance school, clubs, work, relationships, and (maybe not as often as I’d like) relaxation.
As you can see, Lauren and Kirstin are outstanding women with bright futures ahead of them, and I feel so blessed to be able to call them my best friends. <3