Three years ago, I got an email from a professor that mentioned that Her Campus at VCU was taking applications for writers. I was a freshman journalism major with little to no portfolio, so I thought to myself “why not?” After an application and interview process, I was accepted as an editorial member. The following semester, I assumed the role of managing editor. After that semester, I served as the senior editor until this past year when I was editor-in-chief.
Her Campus at VCU launched in 2011, but when I joined as an editorial member in 2015 there were a group of about 15 to 20 of us — and that was considered a big turnout. This year, we celebrated our 6th birthday and have grown to 50 members and counting. And with this growth has come so many things that have benefited the VCU and Richmond communities and beyond. From raising almost $300 for sick children at our local hospital through a 12-hour dance marathon, reading to pre-schoolers on Dr. Seuss Day and donating prom dresses and accessories to high school girls who couldn’t afford to attend prom — I could not be more proud of this organization.
Above all else, I am continuously floored and in awe at the success our writers achieve daily. There are some weeks when Her Campus at VCU hits over 15,000 page views, a feat we couldn’t accomplish without our talented writers. Our writers search within themselves and their surroundings to produce original and compelling pieces that have been shared countless times. If there is anything you should know about the people behind hercampus.com/vcu — know that they are dedicated, they care and that careful consideration goes into each published piece. I hope these articles and the many more to come in the future amaze and entertain you just as much as they have me in the past three years.
To our new executive members, please know that I am always rooting for you. All of you are so capable, and I cannot wait to see all of the things Her Campus at VCU will accomplish in the future. To all of our team members, thank you for spending an hour with me every Tuesday night. Thank you for trusting in me to lead you and for all the laughs and chaos along the way. Lastly, to all the people who supported me and believed in me along the way: thank you. I am forever grateful for this experience and truly humbled to have served as the editor-in-chief of such a great organization.
As Winnie the Pooh once said, “how lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard.”
HCXO always,
Your 2017-18 Editor-in-Chief
photo 1 by Madison Bambini, photo 2 by Eleanor Ritzman