Before the year gets into full swing, read up on some of our editors so you know the ladies behind the writing!
Name: Masha Ikromova, Blog Editor
School & Year: Junior @Barnard
Major: Neuroscience
Hometown: Uzbekistan, but also NYC
How and why did you get involved in HC?
I think HC articles are so fun to read and some of the previous editors shared their wonderful experience with me so I decided to try it for myself!
What is your favorite thing about being a part of the HCB team?
I want to explore writing and I think the HCB team will be perfect in guiding me and giving me honest feedback :)
What did you do this summer?
This summer, I did research in a neuroscience lab! I learned how to perform a surgical procedure which was life changing!
What are you excited about for the upcoming year?
Super excited to be back with my CU fam! Also excited for all the articles that the HCB team will publish!
What else are you involved in on campus?
Other than classes and research I am part of Sigma Delta Tau!
What is your favorite thing about CU/BC?
I think our sense of community and care for one another is exceptional here! I can’t imagine myself going to school anywhere else!
Favorite college memory so far?
There are so many! Do I really have to pick one?
What should every freshman do this fall/winter to get the full Columbia/New York Experience?
Explore downtown, pull an all nighter in Butler (jk but seriously..) and end their night with friends at Tom’s!
As the blog editor, are there any bloggers that inspire you?
To many to choose one! But one quality that they all share is that, they are unapologetically honest!
Name: Brooke Abbott, PR Director
School & Year: Barnard College, Senior Class of 2017
Major: Psychology
Hometown: Cos Cob, CT
How and why did you get involved in HC?
One of my sisters in Alpha Chi Omega told me about the opportunity to join the HC team and I had wanted to get involved since it first formed. It was perfect timing.
What is your favorite thing about being a part of the HCB team?
The amount of teamwork in the HC community. Last semester I was new and many of the members offered to help me with stylizing content and posts.
What did you do this summer?
I traveled A LOT starting the day after I moved out. I first visited China and Japan, which was one of the most amazing experiences. I was also lucky enough to study abroad in Venice, Italy for six weeks. I visited Florence, Rome, Verona, Padua, Como, and even Interlaken Switzerland. I feel in love with Florence and hope to go back soon.
What are you excited about for the upcoming year?
Being a Senior is both exciting and scary. I am excited to spend my last year here with the knowledge I have gained over the past 3 years. I am also scared because…real life and adulting, what are they?
What else are you involved in on campus?
I am a member of McAC on Barnard’s Campus, as well as a member of Senior Fund for the Class of 2017 (DONATE), and I am the Secretary of the Columbia Figure Skating Club. I am also a sister of Alpha Chi Omega.
What is your favorite thing about CU/BC?
The people that I’ve met. They have taught me so much; I don’t know where I would be without their help and guidance.
Congrats on being a senior! What is one thing that you want to do before you graduate?
I would really like to climb the Columbia Lion. I feel like that’s something I heard about when I was here for my NSOP in 2013, and I have wanted to do it ever since.
Looking back, what advice would you give to your freshman self?
I would tell myself to stay present and don’t get lost in the “what ifs” just yet. Try to settle in and you will see that you fit in here.
What should every freshman do this fall/winter to get the full Columbia/New York experience?
My favorite thing to do during the fall semester is to take advantage of all the events that will happen on College Walk. I love the snowball fight and the tree lighting ceremony. Earlier on in the semester, it is neat to watch the trees change color during the fall. I come from CT and the changing of the leaves reminds me home.
What advice would you give to the incoming freshman?
Take at least an hour a week to get out of the college mindset and realize you are in NYC. Do something outside your comfort zone and go past 96th st.
Name: Leora Herman, Style/Snapshot Editor
School & Year: GS/JTS 2017
Major: Psychology and Modern Jewish Studies
Hometown: Tenafly, New Jersey
How and why did you get involved in HC?
I joined HC my sophomore year after hearing about how awesome their team was. I was looking for a platform to write about fashion in a fun and supportive environment and HC turned out to be the perfect place to do that.
What did you do this summer?
I took classes at Columbia and interned for a fashion company called Shop Ethica.
What else are you involved with on campus?
I’m on the board of Columbia University Dance Marathon and Nefesh, Hillel’s mental health awareness group. I’m also a member of Shalhevet, Columbia/Barnard’s Israeli dance troupe.
What are you excited about for the upcoming year?
I’m excited to get to know the new HC team and write about style on campus. I’m also excited to have more free time now that I’m a senior taking a lighter course load.
What is your favorite thing about CU/BC?
I love how all four undergraduate schools are so integrated, which means I’ve met and become friends with all different kinds of people.
Congrats on being a senior! What is one thing that you want to do before you graduate?
Actually go to senior night.
Looking back, what advice would you give to your freshman year self?
Don’t do things just to boost your resume or to make someone else happy. College is your time to explore and you should be doing things that make YOU happy.
As the style editor, what is your favorite fashion trend this fall?
Plum lips.
Who is your favorite designer?
It’s hard to choose just one… I’ll narrow it down to Carolina Herrera, Rodarte, and Elie Saab.
Where do you get your fashion inspiration?
I get fashion inspiration from all the cool people walking around the streets of New York City. Also, my mom :)
Must have Fall 2016 fashion accessory?
The choker – and get one before it goes out of style!