As the year comes to an end, Her Campus American is getting ready to say goodbye to some of our best. Katrina Kincade will be graduating from American University in less than a few weeks. Katrina has been an amazing addition to the Her Campus AU team, serving as everything from a writer to social media director to the president of Her Campus American. We’re excited about this girlboss’ exciting future, yet sad to see her go. I had the chance to sit down with this fun-loving, incredible cutie before she graduates, and talk about her favorite HCAU experiences, plans for the future and more!
Her Campus American: What is your Major/minor?
KK: I am a Broadcast Journalism major with a Sociology minor.
HCAU: Describe yourself in three words.
KK: Fun, high maintenance, and multifaceted.
HCAU: What positions have you held in HCAU and which one did you enjoy the most?
KK: I have been a writer, Social Media Editor and the Social Media Director for Her Campus American before becoming President. I have enjoyed being President the most because I really liked recruiting and tabling for Her Campus and it was fulfilling to get to be in charge of getting more people involved and that was my favorite part of being President, knowing I get to be more involved and hands-on with getting more girls engaged.
HCAU: What’s your favorite HCAU memory?
KK: There have been so many. I would have to say the time we played chubby bunny during a meeting and went Facebook live and I won. That was really fun.
HCAU: What else have you been involved in on or off campus?
KK: At one point I had a radio show on WVAU with my best friend called Litty Kitty with Mimi and Kiki and I was in the miss DC organization as a contestant, which I am still a volunteer for, but other than that I really dedicated myself to Her Campus and focused primarily on that.
HCAU: How have you changed since freshman year?
KK: I think I have grown emotionally. Looking back on the crazy things that happened to me when I was an underclassman, I think I was very reactive and now I’ve calmed down a lot when it comes to handling situations. That and my fashion sense has gotten a lot better. I don’t dress like a high schooler anymore.
HCAU: How has campus involvement, including HCAU, shaped your college experience?
KK: Her Campus has made me into the leader that I am today. I did volunteer for organizations in high school, but I was given the most opportunity to grow as a leader and handle responsibilities in Her Campus, and that’s something you really learn in this organization. It has helped me grow to become someone who can do things on the spot and come up with quick solutions while leading like it has been planned out months in advance.
HCAU: How have you grown since your first day of college? Looking back, what advice would you have given yourself?
KK: Dump your boyfriend earlier and get more involved. I did not have a regular college experience where I could be very involved because I got a job immediately when I got into college. I would say get a planner earlier. And also know that the hard work will be worth it. The stress and the hours staying up late and sleeping in the library at three in the morning will be worth it.
HCAU: Name a book, TV show or movie that’s changed your life.
KK: I would have to say The Newsroom. It is the worst representation of the actual newsroom that I’ve ever watched but it showed the craziness that happens in that environment and it solidified that I want to go into news. I watched the show and though I knew it was fake, I loved the intensity and the depiction of what people do, which is reporting on important events and things that matter.
HCAU: What does a perfect day look like to you?
KK: My perfect day would be on Martha’s Vineyard in Massachusetts, with my boyfriend on the beach. The Vineyard is my happy place. It’s where I feel most comfortable. It’s so incredibly diverse and I grew up going there every summer. Whenever I’m there I just feel calm, I don’t worry about checking my email or any other responsibilities. I could just have ice cream in hand, even though I am lactose intolerant, and be sitting on the beach.
HCAU: Who’s a woman that inspires you?
KK: Shayna Seymour. She is one of the first mentors I ever had in the news business. I looked up to her growing up. I loved the show she is on which is Chronicle. I watched it every night with my family and I loved her job. I loved that she got to report on unique things, communities, and places and is a black woman in a position of journalistic power. I reached out to her and she emailed me back saying you need a mentor in this business, here is my number, I would love to talk to you. Since then, she has been one of the most influential people in shaping how I have gone into the news industry. Hopefully, I can work with her someday. My dream is to work with her on Chronicle. She has influenced so much of what I do and what I want to do in my career.
HCAU: Thinking back on your own accomplishments, what are you most proud of? How do you think you inspire the people around you?
KK: I would have to say being President of Her campus. I’ve done other cool things like pageants, but I’ve read Her Campus religiously since I was in high school and when I found out they had a chapter here at American I needed to do it and I did. I never thought I would be President or start a podcast but I’m most proud of seeing my journey in college lead up to being a leader of something because I never thought it would happen. I don’t think I ever saw that happening for me so I am really proud of myself for pushing myself to get where I am today in Her Campus. Hcxo b***h.
HCAU: What are your post-graduation plans and goals?
KK: I got my dream job as a reporter at WWLP 22 News in Springfield Massachusetts. I start on June 3rd. I set out to get this job and I told everyone I met in every internship that I wanted this job and that it is what I wanted to do after graduation and I did it. So I’m super proud of myself.
HCAU: If you were to make a time capsule representing your life up to this point, what are three items you’d put in it?
KK: One of my past pageant crowns to remind myself that I have three more years to become Miss America. I would also put in a picture of a cat because I love cats, especially my cat. Fun fact, I brought my cat to school freshman year. She lived in my dorm and I used to walk her on the LA Quad. The last thing would have to be a reporter Barbie. I had a lot of barbies growing up and I liked the theme of her being whatever the heck she wanted to be. My dad still gets me the holiday Barbie for Christmas every year. I really liked the mission of Barbie being whoever she wanted to be. Matel now has a set of photographer Barbie and reporter Barbie so I would want the reporter Barbie in the capsule.
Thanks so much for everything, Katrina! The entire Her Campus American team wishes you the best of luck and we can’t wait to see all of the great things you do. HCXO, Her Campus American