When looking at the history of Her Campus here at MSU, even during Women’s History Month, we can’t truly acknowledge our chapter, our accomplishments, and how far we’ve come in the past few years without recognizing the amazing women who paved the way and helped to better us as writers, as leaders, and as women.
Tia Trudgeon is part two in a series highlighting our previous campus correspondents – who previously served as our Chapter Presidents and Editor in Chiefs (EICs) – to share their experiences and how it helped to shape them in their post-graduation endeavors.
Tia Trudgeon – MSU Class of 2020
Major: English
Minor: Film Studies
Current City: Marquette, Michigan
Zodiac Sign: Sagittarius
Position within HCMSU: Chapter President
Instagram: Personal – @tiatrudgeon Work – @tiatrudgeontv6
Since graduating from MSU, Tia has been working as a live news reporter for the TV6 Morning News at WLUCTV6 and FOXUP. Starting in April, Tia will also be the co-host of a new lifestyle show on FOXUP, Upper Michigan Today.
Regarding her undergrad and HCMSU experience, Trudgeon shared, “Her Campus was the only club I was consistently involved with. It gave me fun events to look forward to with cool people to do them with. It shaped my experience by giving me a sense of belonging, while also encouraging individuality amongst the members of the group. It also helped me gain confidence in regard to sharing my work with people. That’s huge!”
Besides Her Campus, Tia enjoyed getting to check out the various sushi restaurants in the area, Wilson late night with Dominic and Kaelan, and “being surrounded by tens of thousands of people who have the same reason to be in the same place at the same time as me. The potential of meeting forever friends is endless.”
In her free time, Tia enjoys hanging out with friends, dining at local restaurants, and winter adventures such as skiing or snowshoeing.
Being a senior in the covid class, Tia says to “Take it all in. Don’t stay home. Don’t skip class. Go to the basketball game even if you have no idea how many points a free throw is. Take it from me, a Covid senior whose year was cut short. I wished I would’ve sought out more opportunities while I had the chance.”
And for those new to campus, “please don’t worry what people think about you,” Trudgeon said. “Be yourself, do you, and everything will fall into place. There are endless people to meet in college. If it doesn’t work out with one person it won’t matter at all. Be courteous of others too, who are also finding their way and learning to be themselves. Also, call your mama every now and then.”
Tia shared that is motivated by the quote, “The best way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing.” – Walt Disney
“I love the reminder that to become something, to be, is to simply do,” Trudgeon shared. “I could talk about wanting to become a writer, but that talk actually says nothing about me. I don’t have to sit down and write a certain amount to achieve status as a writer. I simply have to write. That’s it, and that goes for everything.”
And for those interested in joining Her Campus, “DO IT,” Trudgeon said. “You won’t regret it, and if you do, you can quit (but you won’t!). There’s deadlines, yes, there’s stories to write, but it never feels like extra work or another assignment. Don’t worry about ‘not being a writer’, be more concerned about having your voice heard. It doesn’t matter if you’re a biology major, you can absolutely write whatever your heart desires at Her Campus. You may find that sort of outlet is therapeutic even.”
You can view some of Tia’s news reports here. You can view Tia’s articles from her time as a Her Campus Writer here.