Marisa Stephens is a freshman from Tiffin, Ohio. She is majoring in managerial marketing and minoring in both sports administration and non-profit studies. Marisa is very involved on campus and she recently started her own club to empower female students: I’m that KSU Girl.
Her Campus: What clubs are you involved in on campus?Marisa Stephens: Provosts Leadership Academy, Hall Council Secretary for Fletcher/Manchester, H20 church group, and I’m that KSU Girl.
HC: What is “I’m that KSU Girl?”MS: It is a community of girls that meets to support each other and learn how to love and express themselves. It allows girls to be who they are and it creates a safe place of acceptance to talk about anything.
HC: With all the talk in the media about feminism, do you think I’m that KSU Girl is a feminist club?MS: No, I don’t think so. I like to think of it as a women empowerment group. We aren’t against anybody, but we’re for ourselves.
HC: Did you randomly create I’m that KSU Girl or is there a national chapter? MS: This group is registered with the organization named “I am that girl.” They are a national and international non-profit group that strives for the same purpose. And yes, I am the founder and president of “I’m that KSU girl.”
HC: Why did you decide to start an organization here at Kent?MS: I was inspired to start this group after watching a video that was shown in a presentation at a meeting I attended. The video was from one of the campaigns that “I am that girl” promotes and from there I was determined to create a place and group like that at Kent State’s campus. Being a girl is hard enough. Adding college and a new lifestyle creates even more stress. Everyone deserves to be happy and feel good about themselves and that is my goal.
HC: How can girls get involved?MS: Girls can get involved by simply showing up and joining the conversation. Then go out into the world and continue to rock it and show all the qualities of being “that girl” and loving themselves. We meet Wednesdays at 9pm in the Fletcher study lounge.
HC: What is the best way to contact you if someone has a question or wants to be even more informed about the club?MS: You can email me at msteph19@kent.edu. I am more than happy to give out information and get people informed about what this group has to offer.
HC: Are there any events for I’m that KSU Girl coming up?MS: The two events that are coming up are participation in Relay for Life and Flash-a-Thon. Both are for great causes and will help make our group stronger.
HC: Since this is the first year as a club on campus, what are your expectations for next semester, and how do you plan to get more girls involved?MS: Our expectations for next year are to get more girls involved and to put in programs around campus. For example, a retreat for girls or just a place to hangout. Eventually our goal is to hold self-confidence workshops in local schools. We are trying to get more girls by passing out flyers and by word of mouth.
HC: Does KSU Girl communicate with any chapter of “I’m that girl?”MS: We are looking into communicating with The Ohio State University chapter.
HC: What is a typical meeting like for I’m that KSU Girl?MS: We start each meeting by getting into a circle. We go around and state our name and then each girl states why she is that girl. This is to have girls ay something past or present that makes them proud of who they are and display being the best version of themselves. After this we usually have a topic each week. At the end of the meeting we talk about issues or struggles that anyone is going though and offer support.
HC: As of right now, how many girls are in the club?MS: There are around 12 girls that regularly come to the meetings. Our highest attendance has reached a high of 20. There are over 40 girls that have showed interest but have been unable to make it to a meeting.
HC: After graduating in a couple of years from Kent State, will you continue helping to empower women?MS: I do plan on continuing to empower women through just keeping the conversation going about problems women and girls have. Whether that is through speaking or social media. I just really want to make a difference.
HC: What do you think is the biggest struggle college girls face?MS: I think the biggest struggle that college girls face is being proud of who they are. There are so many courses telling us to change and be different. Especially coming to college there is this unattainable mold that girls are expected to fit into. So remembering to be yourself and to love who that person is can be difficult.
HC: What is your go to piece of advice?MS: My go to piece of advice is to always be yourself. Cliché, I know, but people tend to lose sight of this when trying to live their lives. It is important to stick to being you because that is the best thing that you can be.
HC: What are your social media handles, so people can follow the club?MS: We have Twitter and Instagram, which are both @imthatksugirl.
That will do it for Miss KSU Girl, Marisa Stephens. If you are at all interested in joining the club, I would recommend coming to a meeting. I am part of this group and it has really helped me to love myself and empower other women. Be sure to follow this group on Instagram and Twitter.