Emerson has always been a chapter that likes to take risks, so emailing the chapter network to spotlight different Her Campus Chapters at other schools was no different. One of the schools that we have decided to introduce to you, is the chapter at the University of Pittsburgh. HC Pitt, located in Oakland, Pittsburgh was founded in 2011. The CCs of HC Pitt mentioned that the most unique part of their school was their Cathedral of Learning, otherwise known as Cathy (a 36 story gothic building) which “is the tallest educational building in the Western Hemisphere and fourth tallest educational building in the world. She is the home to the liberal arts and social work departments as well as 30 Nationality Rooms. Every Pitt student has had a class in Cathy at some point during their college career. She can be seen from miles away and she rocks the golden hour glow—not to mention the glow of the victory lights after each sports win Pitt tallies up.” The HC team is made up of about 30 diverse members with varying interests, who share a passion for writing and empowering other women.The team is headed by Co-CCs Erin Lalli and Kate Rempe. Erin, a junior civil engineering major, is the acting President, and Kate, a junior english writing and psychology major, is her Vice President. The team has a few editors who assist in editing the content found on their website as well. Their senior editor, Corrine Koziel, is a junior Neuroscience major, and their assistant senior editor is junior Eva Ashbaugh, who is studying political science, as well as gender sexuality and women’s studies. The team also has a few section editors including Fashion and Beauty Editor Monica Hurtado, a senior political science and English writing major; Daily Life editor, Madelyn Decker, a sophomore psychology and communication major; Sex and relationship editor, Olivia Andrews, who is a sophmore majoring in neuroscience; Entertainment Editor, Anne Panciera, a senior majoring in English Language; and finally, sophomore Sierra Posey, the chapter’s Health and fitness editor, who majors in English Writing. The chapter also has a few members working in their marketing segment, including the PR and Events Chair Hanna Houtz, who is a junior psychology and criminal justice major. Lastly, the team has Emma Nugent, a junior political science and communications major, and Emily Erikson, a sophomore architecture major, running their social media channels as Social Media Co-chairs.
When we asked the team to choose their favorite feature articles, they provided us with a list since they couldn’t pick just one. You can find their favorite articles on their Her Campus page, or linked here: 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5. Additionally, the team had a number of favorite profile articles as well, which you can also find linked here, or on their Her Campus page: 1 and 2. While all of these articles range drastically in topics, it just goes to show how much diversity of thought is a part of the HC Pitt team!
In addition to learning about the articles that the chapter loved producing, we also love hearing about the events that the chapter are putting on. HC Pitt shared with us about their most popular event that they host in the spring every year called Her Campus Night Out (HCNO). This event is a semi-formal, open to the entire student body of the University of Pittsburgh. The event is complete with a DJ, dancing, live performances by on campus organizations, a photobooth, raffles/giveaways with goodies from local vendors and plenty of food and drinks! While this event is not held on campus, they take the proceeds from the event and donate them all to Strong Women Strong Girls. When we asked, the team also mentioned that this was also their favorite team memory, which, if I was a HC Pitt member, think would be my answer as well! It sounds like so much fun! With the success of their yearly HCNO, the team is super excited for other event prospects this upcoming semester. They are looking into planning another large scale event like HCNO for the fall semester as well! Speaking of Fall events, HC Pitt is looking at hosting their very first “Nightmare on Semple Street,” which will be a casual halloween party for the students of the University of Pittsburgh. The event is going to be held at the Panther House, which is a local bar on Semple Street, and will include music, dancing, a photobooth, and a costume contest! They will be using all of the funds raised from this event to help pay for the cost of HCNO this upcoming spring, so that they can make it even bigger and better than it has been in the past.
Additionally, HC Pitt is also hosting a panel about women’s health. The event is going to be a partnership with Mylan in November in honor of “Thanks Birth Control Day.” The event, like many of their other events, will be open to the public, and consists of a fireside chat with one of the Her Campus Founders, a medical professional, and a celebrity. There will be a follow-up networking hour after the panel, where refreshments and giveaways will happen, and they are super excited to get to participate with Her Campus Nationals on this event!
In addition to planning some amazing events, the Her Campus Pitt team is also looking to grow their chapter. They are hoping to draw in new members through the events that they are hosting. If you are interested in joining the Her Campus Pitt family, you can always reach out to them via email, at hc.pitt@hercampus.com. They are always looking for new members and everyone is welcome to join their team! And, as an added bonus, there is no application! All they ask is that you have a passion for writing, social media and marketing, and/or PR & events, or that you want to learn more in these areas. Most importantly though, the HC Pitt team wants to make sure that you are passionate about supporting your local girl gang! You can also find them on all of their social media channels (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, and Tumblr).
If you are looking to join, CC Kate wanted to make sure that everyone knows that HC Pitt is “a relatively new organization on a large campus. Being a little fish in a big pool has had us swimming under the surface for a while, so not a lot of people really realize what a great atmosphere we’ve created for ourselves. We’ve been focusing hard on growing these past couple years, as well as spreading the word. I think we’d just want everyone to know what a great time we all have together. When we host events like HCNO, people get a glimpse into the world of HC, but there is so much more. HC Pitt is one of the most supportive groups of girls you’ll find. We crack jokes, and have fun, but we also respect one another, and lift each other up. If everyone on campus, particularly every girl on campus, could see what a positive space we’ve created for ourselves, and maybe find their place in it too, we would be so stoked.”
Finally, we asked what three words best described the team. The CCs selected flexible, welcoming, and experimental. The first word, flexible, was chosen to represent their ability to work with their entire team, to find a solution that is best for everyone, be it on events or article deadlines. The second word, welcoming, was meant to signify the fact that they have never turned away a member who wanted to join, and because they are always ready to welcome new members to their team. Kate said that HC Pitt has “found the best way to create a truly supportive environment where everyone feels comfortable to be as inclusive and open-minded as possible.” Which brings us to the final word, experimental. Kate explained that she chose this word because of all the perspectives that HC Pitt brings to their team. They have also embodied this through their planning of events and new fundraisers for the team to partake in, and even when these don’t succeed, they are always willing to jump back in with new ideas (re: the chapter’s flexibility). CC Kate stated that “we definitely won’t know if we never try anything new and just stick to the tried and true. It comes with a little uncertainty, but it allows us to learn, and refine, and more than anything, it allows us to keep moving onward and upward as a chapter.” Bonus Questions:
TS: What Hogwarts house does your chapter most identify with?
KR: I don’t think we can sum up the personalities of 30 girls into one house, but as a whole, I would say we definitely have big hufflepuff energy. As a collective, we are little goofballs, and while maybe we’re underappreciated on campus, and a little looked over, we have a lot of heart and a lot to offer.
TS: If your chapter could be described with one animal, what would that animal be and why?
KR: HC stands for Holy Corgis.
TS: Is your chapter team Edward or Team Jacob? Or for daring, Team Kristen Stewart as a person?
KR: TEAM KRISTEN! My girl is the poster for “you should smile more sweetie” and she took it with grace and has been living life; can’t wait to see her kill it in the new Charlie’s Angels.
TS: Is your chapter more cat people or dog people?
KR: A solid mix, and a strong showing from our VP Kate, who recently adopted a cat, but if we’re being definitive, probably a big dog squad.
TS: Does your chapter identify more with beaches or lakes?
KR: Beaches, because we are the baddest beaches on campus.
TS: What time of year (semester, trimester, quarter) has the best classes to add to your schedules?
KR: Literally any, #H2P