Some girls often are defined by the word “basic,” a false stigma that has been adapted by pop culture and a generic love of Starbucks. However, Maya Newlin proves that the love of Starbucks doesn’t define a girl; because she’s everything except basic. Driven and motivated, she’s talented in a variety of different things that make her stand out from the crowd. Watch out UC, this girl is going places.
Name: Maya Newlin
Hometown: Columbia, Maryland
Year: 2nd Year
Major: Interior Design
Organizations involved in: Kappa Kappa Gamma Fraternity
Her Campus Cincinnati: Let’s start off with a ‘basic’ question; what’s your favorite drink at Starbucks?
Soy Cinnamon Chai Latte
Her Campus Cincinnati: For DAAP, Interior Design students participate in five Co-Ops, where’s your Co-Op right now, and what do you do during it?
I am currently in Columbus, Ohio and working at L Brands in the Victoria’s Secret beauty and accessories department. I create materials boards, communicate with vendors, and do lots of AutoCAD floor plans and store layouts.
Her Campus Cincinnati: What do you like most about it?
I do something different everyday and am able to connect with people from around the world! I’m currently working on store designs in China and Korea.
Her Campus Cincinnati: What made you choose Interior Design and what’s your final goal?
I’ve always loved designing and creating new things from an early age. That fact that my aunt was also a designer helped me pursue my dreams. I would like to have my own company or be a CEO of an existing one.
Her Campus Cincinnati: DAAP is known for being demanding, on average, how late do you stay there to do work?
Freshman year I would stay there anywhere from midnight till the early hours in the morning. Let’s just say NightRide was always closed before I could catch a ride home. As second year though, my projects in studio were all digital so I could work from my apartment. But I would still stay up till around 1am.
Her Campus Cincinnati: You must know the DAAP Café really well then, what’s an item you would recommend?
Peppermint Mocha Javalanche
Her Campus Cincinnati: Midnight snack choice for late nights?
Bold Party Blend Chex mix or Tiger Dumplings.
Her Campus Cincinnati: Why did you choose UC?
It is ranked extremely high for design and when I first toured the campus I immediately fell in love! Everyone is so friendly and there’s always something going on whether it’s sporting events or general public events. Not to mention its #thehottestcollegeinAmerica!
Her Campus Cincinnati: Favorite spot on Campus to catch a breather from DAAP?
When the weather is nice I like to go to the roof of French Hall. The view of campus is great and it is so peaceful up there. Definitely a great place to study and get a tan.
Her Campus Cincinnati: A lot of people in DAAP are talented in the arts, do you have a hidden talent that’s not related to DAAP?
I am great at finding four leaf clovers. I have over 50 lucky clovers in a picture frame at home that I have collected over the years. I also keep one in my phone case for good luck!
Her Campus Cincinnati: When you have some spare time, what do you do?
I am a retired competitive figure skater but I still go to the ice rink to practice for upcoming shows and coach lessons. I model for two skating companies and filmed a few scenes where I’m an extra in an upcoming film this year. Besides that, you can find me cooking or baking healthy treats, working out with a little kickboxing, volunteering with miniature donkeys, cats, and dogs, practicing my photography skills, writing for my blog and planning adventures with friends.
Her Campus Cincinnati: You’ve trained in preparation for the Olympics in figure skating, what did that consist of?
It consisted of eating clean 24/7, staying physically and mentally healthy, and traveling to various competitions. I ended up going to nationals twice, France, Colorado, and pretty much the whole east coast. I would stay at the rink almost all day during the summer and would wake up to be at the rink by 8 and then leave by 3. I would skate for hours, do an off the ice class that consisted of conditioning, strength, ballet and mental coaching. I took ballet on the weekends and visited the chiropractor twice a week for my back and for laser therapy or kinesio tape any injuries. I would also see a massage therapist to get deep tissue and fascia therapy for my muscles. During school it was hard to juggle all of this and I would normally eat in the car and do homework until I fell asleep.
Her Campus Cincinnati: What’s your biggest accomplishment then?
Competing in nationals for skating despite having had fractured my back in two places.
Her Campus Cincinnati: What are some things you want to accomplish before you graduate UC?
I want to try every flavor of bubble tea from Tea n’ Bowl, visit a building or place that I have designed, become fluent in Spanish, ride an elephant, and donate my hair enough times to make a full wig (I believe it takes about 8 donations to make one wig).
Her Campus Cincinnati: What’s the craziest thing you’ve ever done?
Some friends and I literally dropped everything and ran to Woody’s at 11pm to go find Nick Jonas when we should have been studying for an 8am final exam the next day!
Her Campus Cincinnati: Favorite Quote and why?
“People don’t take trips, trips take people” by John Steinbeck. This is 100% accurate to my life. You go somewhere thinking only what others have told you or expecting exactly what you’re going to do and how you’re going to feel but in reality when you get there you are overwhelmed with the native culture, views, and energy that surrounds you. It becomes an in the moment experience that is so easy to get lost in and the word “trip” or “vacation” just doesn’t do your adventure justice.
Her Campus Cincinnati: Best advice to people:
Be spontaneous and take every opportunity you can. Don’t let anyone hold you back from achieving your goals. College is the prime time to figure out your strengths, true friends, passions in life, and to have fun! Trust your instincts.