- Name: Odia Kane
- Hometown: New Haven, CT
- Major: Cognitive Science and Political Science
- Graduation Year: 2019
- Age: 20
Q: Kayla Edwards has nominated you as an involved woman on campus. She states that you have taken on leadership roles since your first year and are a woman the UConn and Her Campus community should know. Tell us, what are you involved with?
OK: I am involved with Sisters Inspiring Sisters, where I work with Kayla Edwards. Our organization strives to provide a safe space for black women on campus. I serve as the Vice President where I develop trips, programs, and facilitate discussions to create an enriching and thoughtful environment. I am also the secretary of the African Students’ Association. ASA works to bring elements of different African cultures to campus. I am also a Rowe Scholar, a member of UConn’s Leadership Legacy cohort, and a tutor in the writing center.
Q: You are involved with a large range of organizations. Why did you pick the ones you did?
OK: I am involved with Sisters Inspiring Sisters and the African Students’ Association because they connect me to my culture. SIS is a space that makes me feel comfortable and empowered as a young black woman on campus. ASA offers me an opportunity to teach others about my culture and learn beyond my classes about other cultures. As a future leader, the Rowe Scholars Program provides me with the resources that I’ll need to better prepare for my career. Through the Scholars program and the Leadership Legacy, I have created a network of other scholars and mentors. The Leadership Legacy pushes my limits and allows me to be the best version of myself. Each time I interact with my cohort, we overcome challenges that require us to think outside of our comfort zones. Working for the writing center allows me to be of service to all UConn students in an area where most students struggle with.
Q: What is the most enjoyable part of being so involved for you?
OK: I think that being able to connect things that you learn in one space and applying it to another is the most enjoyable part of being involved. I always find myself bringing up talking points I discuss in one organization to another. For example, I sometimes leave the African Students’ Association with a perspective that can help my tutoring. Everything is interconnected with my activities and allows me to have a deep understanding of the topics.
Q: Being so involved can pose a challenge for anyone. What do you do to maintain the student-work balance? When you do find time for yourself, what do you do to de-stress?
OK: I remind myself often that I am a student first. I make sure to check my syllabi regularly to finish my assignments in a timely and fashionable manner. This means sometimes, I’ll spend late nights in the library. I maintain the student-work balance by trying to schedule according to my health. I will plan specific nights where I cap a time limit on my homework so I can have me time, as well as take Saturday and Sunday mornings off to sleep in and refresh. I also love to dance and travel in my spare time.
Q: You interact with so many people within your communities. Who inspires you?
OK: I want to echo Kayla Edwards and say how much Brittney Yancy inspires me. She is a huge inspiration to me because of her generosity. Without her, Sisters Inspiring Sisters would not be the club it is today. Her spirit is something that I aspire to emulate.
Q: What advice do you have for someone looking to get more involved on campus?
OK: At the end of the day, do not commit to something unless you can give it 100%. You will do yourself and everyone else a disservice if you cannot put everything you have into the organization. Pick clubs that you want to give your all to, because the passion you have for that organization will keep you going in hard times.
Q: Who do you nominate to be the next profile in this series, and why?
OK: I nominate Akshayaa Chittibabu to be the next profile in the series because the amount of energy that she puts into everything is remarkable. Every time I talk to her, I am re-energized and excited about my work.
Photos courtesy of Odia Kane.