Year: 2019
Major: Political science
Minor: Chinese
Her Campus: Where are you from? How did you end up at Pitt?
Kevin Henriksen: I am from West Chester, Pennsylvania, just outside of Philadelphia. Last year, I made my college decision to attend Elon University in North Carolina. My first semester at Elon went well, both academically and athletically, but at the end of the semester I decided that I wanted to transfer. I felt that Elon was not the place for me. I wanted to expand my academic and athletic endeavors, and I knew that the University of Pittsburgh would allow me to do that. I am very fortunate to be a Panther!
HC: What drew you to political science and Chinese?
KH: What initially drew me towards political science was the trajectory of politics and how it is constantly changing throughout the world. It is very intriguing to follow the development of political systems and its effects on society. Political science will help me develop my skills in quantitative reasoning and better understand the power of the government. I have been taking Chinese since 9th grade in high school. I have gained an appreciation for Chinese culture and history. I am continuing Chinese in college because of the importance of the language in the future. Learning Chinese will present me with job opportunities in almost every aspect of the market. I am planning to major in political science and minor in Chinese.
HC: Are you looking forward to the spring season? What parts?
KH: I will be a redshirt freshman this upcoming season because of NCAA transfer rules, meaning I will have to sit-out. The upcoming spring season will be a great opportunity for me to better understand the game at a college level and make adjustments mechanically and mentally. My goal for this season is to be the best teammate I can be. I am very excited to be a Panther. The coaches and players are all very focused and straight edge. Our goal as a team is to win a national championship. The environment that the coaches and players create is extraordinary. The guys on the team are dedicated and willing to get better every day. It is incredible to be a part of a team with such great chemistry. The combination of talent and incomparable work ethic will make us a tough team to beat this spring.
HC: How has being an athlete changed the way you approach your studies/free-time/life in general?
KH: Being a student-athlete is a full-time job. It requires consistent time management and making use of every moment of the day. Finding the balance between academics, athletics, and a social life is an everyday commitment. It has taught me to be persistent, efficient and focused in everything I do. It is easy to get caught up by the pressures of academics, athletics and social life, but I have found it helpful to live life one day at a time.
Photo cred: photographs provided by Kevin