Picture yourself as the president of your sorority at the greatest school in the nation. Now, tack on being a Morale Captain for Dance Marathon, a Campus Campaign Coordinator for Teach for America, and being a full time — and thriving — student. Stressed yet? Not Savannah Strayer, who tackles her overflowing plate with ease, all while “trying to find the adventure and joy in the everyday.” #goals
Name: Savannah Strayer
Age: 20
Hometown: Boca Raton, FL
Year: Junior
Major: Media Communications
Minor: Entrepreneurship, Leadership Certificate
Relationship Status: Single
Her Campus (HC): Okay, let’s start with some silly questions. What’s your idea of a dream date?
Savannah Strayer (SS): An adventure… preferably a surprise. Definitely outdoors or athletic — something out of the ordinary, but not extravagant.
HC: What do you look for in a guy?
SS: A killer smile, a kind heart, someone who is self-motivated, selfless, and can take my sarcasm but dish it right back.
HC: What about some red flags?
SS: If you’re nice to me, but not nice to everyone else that’s a red flag. Or bad hygeine.
HC: What’s your favorite meal?
SS: Hot Dogs. Something Voodoo Dog-esque. I love a good Mexican fiesta meal, too.
HC: What’s your favorite hobby?
SS: Anything outdoorsy. I love to hike. I just walk a lot and see what I find. I also really like to bake. I can’t bake here in KD (Kappa Delta), but any time I can use a friend’s kitchen, I love creating yummy things.
HC: What’s your dream job?
SS: When I grow up, I want to do something that changes the world. I’m not exactly sure what that looks like yet, or when I’ll get there. As long as I can even make a difference in one person’s life, I’ll be living the dream.
HC: Okay, onto more “important” things. What’s your involvement on campus?
SS: I’m the President of Kappa Delta, a Campus Campaign Coordinator for Teach for America, a Morale Captain for Dance Marathon, I’m involved with Doulos, and I was [previously a] Recruitment Counselor (Rho Gamma) and Student Senator for SGA here at FSU.
HC: Why did you choose FSU?
SS: Honestly, I wanted to escape Florida and experience the four seasons vibe at a huge state school. After visiting the Florida schools, Florida State is pretty much that within state tuition. I love that FSU focuses more on the individual and not just the degree; I knew it was somewhere I could grow as a person. It’s so homey, and the tradition, pride, and community is infectious.
HC: Why KD?
SS: My sister was a Kappa Delta here so during recruitment I kept pushing KD off. Yet, there is something about this place — this sisterhood — that is so comforting and welcoming that I couldn’t escape. I loved that KD is really diverse. We’re super open and supportive of each other and that’s what I was looking for in a sorority. I also loved the fact that we are heavily based on Christianity — it was, and is, very important to me.
HC: Was being the president of your sorority on your radar freshman year?
SS: No. I didn’t come into KD saying, “Okay. I have to be President.” I was involved in SGA in high school but I didn’t know I was going to be this involved. I started holding different leadership positions in KD, and it kind of opened my eyes to what the president could do. It involved a lot of praying — I figured that if God called me to lead, and my chapter thought I would do a good job, then I would get the votes. If not, then I wouldn’t. It’s all up to the people you’re leading, and I’m happy with the way it turned out.
HC: What’s an average day in the life of the president?
SS: It’s really cool because every day [is] different. That’s what I’ve liked the most — the variety. For the most part, I wake up every day at 8 AM, grab some coffee, try to get a devotional in and talk to Jesus, go to class, come back to KD and eat some lunch, then I start either homework or KD work (making phone calls and answering emails), hit the gym, eat some dinner, do some more work, go out (on a good day), or go to bed really early. I definitely need my sleep.
HC: How do you handle having so much on your plate?
SS: I pray a lot — I rely on my faith to get me through. I try to balance work and me-time. Time management is key — my planner is life. I drink a lot of coffee, and I try to find the joy in the smallest things. To me, being president isn’t my job. I’m just Savannah — this is my life, and it’s an adventure.
HC: What would you say to someone who is on the fence about joining Greek life?
SS: If it’s done the way it was originally founded to be done — to foster relationships, to nurture, to love — I believe that [joining a] sorority is an empowering and life-changing thing. But when it’s done wrong, sorority [life] can be a really negative thing, as well. I’m proud that KD is constantly striving to focus on things that really matter, like our sisterhood and giving back to our community.
HC: Any plans for the summer?
SS: I’m going to Nicaragua with the Circle of Sisterhood for a week to help build a school there, and I’m currently internship-searching. I’m hoping to live in a different city, in a different state. Right now, I’m just trying to see what I can find. Last summer, I went to Croatia with a bunch of FSU students with Gospel on the Go Ministries, and worked in the gypsy villages there — it was the most selfless, amazing, [and] challenging experience. We’re looking for another team to get involved this summer and I would highly recommend it!