Now that we have established the ‘Cats are back in town, let’s get the record straight. There is a new queen in town, too. Rachel Davidson is an extraordinary Bearcat with an incredible passion for giving back. Going into her last year as an undergraduate student, she is determined to make the most of it now and provide ways to continue her work for years to come.
Image by Student Alumni Council
Name: Rachel Davidson
Age: 21
Hometown: Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio
Year: 4th
Major: Marketing, Economics, International Business with a minor in Fashion Design
Involvement: Student Alumni Council, Student Activities Board, Lindner Ambassador, PACE Leader, Student Orientation Leader, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
Image by Student Alumni Council
HerCampus Cincinnati: Congratulations! What an incredible honor to represent The University of Cincinnati in this fashion. What was your reaction to the outstanding news?
Rachel Davidson: At first, I honestly did not think I was going to win because there were so many other great candidates that were on court with me. I was definitely surprised and caught off-guard and started crying. I am just really humbled and thankful for the opportunity and experience of especially being with those people who were nominated. They are leaders on our campus so it was an honor just being with them.
HCC: Obviously, there is much more than just being selected to court. Explain the process through your own firsthand experience.
RD: It was very interesting! At first, a student organization nominates you. At The University of Cincinnati, we have over 400 student organizations and each gets an opportunity to nominate a candidate. From there, you write essays and those are filtered through the Student Alumni Council. Claire Hayes and Andrew Kendall did an amazing job with the court process. After the essay and application, there is an interview with current faculty and staff and alumni, which makes it very broad and unbiased. Lastly, the student body votes the final candidates on. It was intimidating but an amazing process.
Image by Student Alumni Council
HCC: To take it back to the roots of your decision to become a Bearcat, why did you choose The University of Cincinnati?
RD: I choose UC because it was still in Ohio but far enough away from home. I came from a really small high school and felt like this school had a lot of opportunities. Once I stepped foot on campus, I fell in love with every single aspect. The program for my major was good, it’s a beautiful campus, and it’s a great area.
HCC: You are studying Marketing, Economics, and International Business with a minor in Fashion Design. How did you wrap that tedious area of study together?
RD: I want to predict trends on a global basis. Preferably, a design area because that is how my major ties together. I want to work at a global corporation in the marketing or data analysis department. I’d like to see myself abroad somewhere. I hope to be in London working for a very large corporation in the upper management level.
Image by Rachel Davidson
HCC: How have your opportunities at The University of Cincinnati encouraged your passions in and out of the classroom?
RD: Definitely within my program as well as extracurricular activities that are focused on my major. Student Government has also refined those skills that I need as well as the internship and co-op program that is offered here at UC that I have been able to take advantage of. I am also actively involved in the African American Culture Resource Center and had a lot of mentors through that.
HCC: What specific extracurricular activities do you attribute those skills to?
RD: I am involved in the Student Alumni Council so I have been able to do a lot of planning with that. I was a UC Student Orientation Leader so I was able to facilitate over 4,000 first year students to the university. Also, I am on the Student Activities Board branch of Student Government so I help plan the fall and spring organization fair, the presidential luncheon, and the celebration of student involvement, and I am a mentor to minority students.
Image by Rachel Davidson
HCC: How are you going to wrap up this incredible journey and leave your mark on campus?
RD: I want to inspire others and leave a positive impact on this campus. I want to get together with previous homecoming queens and somehow work up a scholarship for future winners. I want to have retention within the Student Activities Board and having successful events. I want to make sure Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. is sustained on campus as well as building relationships with National Pan-Hellenic Council and IFC.
HCC: You are involved with the Student Alumni Council. After you graduate, what are your plans to give back to The University of Cincinnati as an alumni?
RD: I am an advocate for traveling. I have had multiple opportunities to study abroad so spreading awareness about those advantages. Hopefully when I am at that point in my career, I will be able to sponsor students and even minority students trips to go abroad. I want to give back in anyway that I can but I know studying abroad is something I am very passionate about.