Name: Danielle Cassady
Hometown: Athens, AL
Major:Public relations and political science
Relationship status: in a relationship (3 years in November! Woo hoo!)
Favorite movie/TV show/book/band: My favorite TV show is Survivor. Favorite place to study on campus: The Honors Year One Office in Nott Hall, obviously! :) Favorite place to eat in Tuscaloosa: DePalma’s – Their shells florentine is the bomb.
What clubs are you involved in? Honors Year One, Capstone Agency, the Blackburn Institute, Housing & Residential Communities, UADM, The XXXI, Honors College Ambassadors, and the Student Executive Council in the College of C&IS
What is your favorite part about your major? I love the focus on relationship building! Everything in PR is about forming and maintaining relationships by being a good organization. I think a lot of the things we apply to PR can be applied to everyday life — we can form and maintain relationships just by being a good friend.
What has been the best class you have taken at UA so far? This is a tough one, but probably APR332, or PR Writing. Tracy Sims teaches it, and while she’s a tough grader, I learned so much in her class about how to properly and concisely express my professional ideas.
What is the best part about being involved in the Honors College? I love the community the Honors College has given me. From classes to lunch dates and late-night meetings to late nights out, it seems each of my circle of friends includes at least a few people from the Honors College.
How do you think being involved in student organizations has impacted your college experience? I’m not sure what value my college experience has if you take away the student organization involvement. I could’ve gone anywhere to learn, but the specific opportunities and groups I’ve been involved in here at The University of Alabama have shaped who I am as a person, a partner, a team player, a feminist and a leader.
What advice do you have for students looking to get more involved? Don’t stretch yourself too thin. Especially as a first year student, there’s this big push to get super involved super quickly. Find what fits you and what you enjoy, and then really invest yourself in it.
If your life were an ice cream flavor what would it be? Mint chocolate chip for sure. Sweet and spicy, for the win.
Who is your celebrity crush? This is hard. I have many. Adam Levine, Zayne from One Direction, Kate Upton, Kate Middleton… Much love for all of them. Zayne is probably at the top of the list. Pillow Talk gets me every time.
What is the best concert you have ever gone to? Britney Spears, hands down. I saw her during my junior year of high school, and no one has ever topped Britney’s killer performance.
What’s the cutest thing your boyfriend has ever done for you? One night, I was working really late in the office because I had a deadline the next day. Paul was visiting from Illinois, and I was feeling really guilty that he was just hanging at my apartment without me. About 7:30, he showed up at the office with a freshly made pasta dish and a bag of green grapes (my favorite!) and we just sat in the office, ate and chatted while I finished my work. It was cute, but it also showed me that he supported me and my work and was willing to help me in my professional endeavors, even if it was just making sure I didn’t go hungry!
Describe your dream date. Italian food and the new Harry Potter play! I have literally dreamed about that date, and I’m going to make it happen one of these days!
Describe yourself in three words. Caring, passionate and focused.
What do you like to do in your free time? I really like reading. It’s a nice way to relax and think about something other than the here and now. I’m currently reading JK Rowling’s A Casual Vacancy.
What do you think is your best quality? I think I’m really good at listening. My life experiences have been pretty intense for the typical 21 year old girl, and I think that’s made me work harder to really hear out other people.
What’s the best advice you have ever gotten? Never become complacent.
Where do you see yourself in five years? I’ll let you know when I know! That vision changes pretty often, and I’m working on being okay with that.