Now I know you are probably saying to yourself, that extra “n” up top was a typo. Wrong. It was purposefully added to enhance what is yet to come.
Meet Ky’Eisha PENN. (Whoop, there it is.)
President Pro Tempore of the 64th Student Senate, Garnet and Gold Scholar, Seminole Torchbearer, recipient of the Women’s Center Seminole Leadership Award, Young People For Mentor, recipient of Knight Foundation Service Stipend Award, the list goes on. (No, seriously her resume is to die for). These are just a few of Ky’Eisha’s accolades while being an undergrad at FSU. Graduating Fall 2013, this young woman has lived the dream at FSU in every way imaginable. Now an advisor here on campus, I decided to reach out to her for this interview for she is truly a campus celebrity in her own right.
Her Campus (HC): Hey Ky’Eisha, let’s just hop right in. Well first tell me some things about yourself?
Ky’Eisha Penn (KP): I graduated with a dual degree at FSU in Political Science and African American Studies with minors in Child Development and Sociology in the fall of 2013. I am now pursuing my masters in African/African American History at FAMU. Everyone who knows me knows that I’m a big dreamer with aspirations of someday becoming the President of the United States, so law school is definitely in my future. I want to serve.
HC: How has post-grad life been treating you thus far?
KP: Being that I went straight into grad school less than a month after graduating from undergrad I had to make a really quick and intense transition. Both the workload and culture was all foreign to me. But I do love my program and what I’m learning and where I’m learning it. But other than grad school it’s great, got my first big girl job that I’m excited about because I get to impact lives and give back to FSU at the same time.
HC: Well congrats on that! What has this quick transition taught you that undergrad didn’t?
KP: It taught me a few things, but the most important was that I am accountable for my own education and not give up in the face of difficulty. My first day of classes I felt completely defeated but I didn’t give up and I’ve actually been doing quite well.
HC: That is great to hear, love your positivity. Seems like between advising and obtaining your masters you are a pretty busy woman. When you are able to squeeze in free time what do you do?
KP: Free time in grad school is almost nonexistent but I definitely try to maintain a social life, which can be hard at times. So if I’m not spending time with my God, daughter or writing fragment poems, I’m typically hanging out with the few friends I have left here…lol .
HC: What’s an interesting fact about yourself?
KP: Assuming that I’m interesting, lol. Hmm. I used to want to be a Professional basketball player when I was younger. I was determined to be in the NBA.
NBA “bound” Penn
HC: Going back to your undergrad years, who or what was the biggest contributor to your success at FSU?
KP: The Center for Academic Retention and Enhancement by far. CARE gave me an educational opportunity of a lifetime. They placed very influential people at my fingertips, some of which I refer to as mentors and role models and also gave me the opportunity to serve the center and do the same for other students. My participation with CARE and being able to witness my students achieve great things on this campus is definitely my greatest achievement at Florida State.
HC: Before we go, in three bullets, what advice would you give to current Seminole undergrads?
KP:
• Never be afraid of dreaming BIG!
• Don’t lose sight of why you came here (graduate).
• Make the most of your experience while you’re here because these are truly the BEST years of your life.
HC: You rock!!! Thank you and on behalf of Her Campus it has been my pleasure interviewing you!