As Seen on Blackboard: Kate Mazzotta, Campus Celebrity

Kate Mazzotta has taken FSU by storm. She was a Fulbright candidate and her research about the conflict in Belfast, Ireland won at the URCAA President’s showcase. She is an all-around role model to many aspiring writers. 

 

Her Campus (HC): What is one of your favorite memories from Florida State?

 

Kate Mazzotta (KM): Probably my first football game. Although it is cheesy it was a great experience. I was in Marching Chiefs my first semester and it was the first time I had a real investment in a team.

 

HC: How did you feel whenever you logged onto your FSU portal and saw your picture at the top of the screen?

 

KM: Surreal. It was weird because at first you think, oh that’s cool, but you don’t think of them as real people. Then once it’s you it’s a weird but cool feeling. I have met a lot of the other featured students because we do a lot of the same things and are all heavily involved on campus. 

 

HC: How or when did you know that creative writing was what you wanted to do?

 

KM: I knew it was what I wanted to do right when I came to college, but not before that. 

 

HC: Tell me a little bit about the Fulbright process. 

 

KM: Well I was selected to be a candidate; although I did not win in the end, it was still a great learning process for me. It helped me define what I wanted to do and allowed me to meet some great people. 

 

HC: What research did you present at the URCAA President’s Showcase?

 

KM: My partner and I presented research about the conflict in Belfast, Ireland, between the Catholics and Protestants. It was very interesting to see how the population made use of the walls that were put up to express their feelings like anger or frustration.  

 

HC: How else are you involved on campus?

 

KM: I am an Editor-in-Chief of The Kudzu Review, assistant director of the Student Council for Research and Creativity, editor and writer for College Magazine, and I am also in a local sorority. 

 

HC: So besides all of that, what do you like to do for fun?

 

KM: I like yoga, and thrift shopping; there are some great shops off of Gaines. I like indie-outdoor music festivals and I love my cat, Belle, who I adopted from the shelter.

 

HC: What are your plans after you graduate?

 

KM: Well after I graduate this semester I will hopefully be going to graduate school at Queen’s University in Belfast, Ireland to study either print or broadcast journalism. 

 

HC: If you could give incoming freshmen, or any student any piece of advice, what would it be?

 

KM: I would say don’t be afraid of your teachers. They are people too and they are very valuable resources and connections.