Meet Mary-Kate Browne, master of multitasking, campus leader, and Senior. You can find her on campus running an event, club meeting, or editing papers during Promethean and Pendragon office hours.
Age: 21
Hometown: Springfield, Massachusetts
Major: American Studies Major, Pre-Law Certificate
Favorite Author: Hanif Kureishi
Favorite Quote: Never be afraid to try something new. Amateurs built the ark, professionals built the titanic.
Favorite Movie: EuroTrip
Comic Con Costume: Rose Tyler from Doctor Who
HC: What are your hobbies?
MK: I am currently trying to write a novel series. It’s a fantasy series to be quite honest. I have been working on it for years now and I made it too vast. I have outlined the entire series, I know it’s going to happen, and now I am writing it and finding new material. I also binge Netflix like a pro.
HC: Can you tell me about the clubs you are in, and your titles?
MK: I am the President of the Political Science Club, President of Pendragon Literary Magazine, Events Coordinator for Pre-law, and I tutor on campus. I am also a part of the student activities and leadership positions, and I am Assistant Editor in Chief for the Promethean newspaper.
HC: How did you become in charge of so many clubs?
MK: Sometimes I don’t know! Essentially I have a bunch ideas, and sometimes it doesn’t matter how many times you suggest something. Most times, the best course of action is to do it yourself. It also helps that I am kind of a mini-Napoleon.
HC: How do you balance your club responsibilities? Does it become overwhelming?
MK: Oh God, yes! It does become overwhelming, but I do not allow myself to become paralyzed. I have to tunnel down and be like, “This is what I have to do.” I live by a schedule.
HC: What have you planned in the past?
MK: I planned two events for Pre-Law Society. The first was an upperclassman panel for Pre-Law itself, to market the program. The program is pretty prestigious, but not a lot of people know about it. We sometimes talk about the Albany Pre-Law Internship, and for people interested in Pre-Law work this internship program surpasses most. When I did my internship, I helped co-author law articles, which is an unusual opportunity for a student.
HC: In terms of clubs, what do you wish to do in the future?
MK: I want to put them on the next level. I want more events to be done by Prelaw Society, and make it more meeting oriented. For Pendragon, I am hoping to get more members and have the members more interested in writing. I would also like to have more writers for Promethean.
HC: Why do you think people trust you as a leader?
MK: I don’t think I give them I choice. I say that I am going to do something, and then do it! When I do host things like a meeting, I ask people what they want. It’s important to have a leader, but more important to have members.
HC: How will these clubs help you outside of Siena, particularly after you graduate?
MK: I am graduating in the spring. I have never looked at these clubs in what I want to do. I do it because I am actually interested, and I am learning a lot about event running and event management. I guess in those terms I am doing a lot in planning if I were going into business. But, hopefully, I will be going to school. I’m going to go abroad, and then apply to graduate school. I am applying to Oxford University, Kings College, London School of Economics, Birkbeck University of London, and University of Glasgow. I am also applying to law schools at the same time. I am interested in Colombia.
HC: I know you studied abroad in London. Can you tell me a little about that?
MK: I was a policy intern for the Liberal Democrat Party. They kind of just tossed me into their politics, and asked me go to a No Thanks rally my second day interning.
HC: Why do you care about being involved on campus, and why should other students care?
MK: Essentially the Siena experience is what you make it. I got involved because I was not happy Freshman year, so Sophomore year I really got involved. I became more confident than I have ever been, and found good, interesting friends along the way.