Name: Nicole Jacobs
Year: Senior
Major: Marketing, minor in Finance
Hometown: Chicago, IL
Role at HC: President
HC: Which artists are on your ‘getting ready’ playlist?
NJ: Definitely Kid Cudi (he’s the bae). Also Jhene Aiko, Lana Del Rey, & Beyonce!
HC: Wheres your favorite place in the city?
Name: Gina Russell
Year: Senior
Hometown: Southside of Chicago
Major: English
Role at HC: Co-Editor/Content Manager
HC: Who inspires you the most, and why?
GR: This question is so loaded that I must be careful not to write a novella. I often find myself inspired by everything and everyone I come across in life. I’m inspired by a sentence my professor said in class last week that sounded like poetry, I’m inspired by women who wake up every morning shower, blow-dry and style their hair, and put on makeup, I’m inspired by the optimism of children, I’m inspired by a really good cup of coffee, I inspire myself when I manage to make something other than pizza for dinner without burning my apartment down, I’m inspired by Hilary Clinton and her power suits and ambition, Lena Dunham and her words, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and how her TED Talk tackles feminism in the most eloquent and groundbreaking way, I’m inspired by Emma Sulkowicz and her senior thesis project at Columbia, shedding light on a topic that so desperately needs it, I’m inspired by women like Michele Roberts, the executive director of the NBA who says things like “My past is littered with the bones of men who were foolish enough to think I was someone they could sleep on.” And most importantly, I’m inspired by my family. I am reminded each day that they are the loves of my life.
So many things in this world and the people in it inspire me. Thus, the list goes on.
HC: Which artists are on your ‘getting ready’ playlist?
GR: I’m so very glad you asked. So normally I have my “Gina Russell” classics, which include Arcade Fire, Florence + the Machine, Alt-J, Local Natives, Bombay Bicycle Club, Lorde, Bon Iver, Young the Giant, Foster the People, LCD Soundsystem, The Postal Service, Vampire Weekend, Death Cab for a Cutie. You know—the works. But lately, I’ve adopted some new (well, to me) artists into the category. This includes Hozier, Bad Suns, Twenty One Pilots, Birdy, Sam Smith, The 1975, Odessa, etc. Am I rambling?
Name: Claudia Martinez
Major: Business
Year at UIC: Senior
Hometown: Mexico/Carptenersville
HerCampus role: Editor in Chief
What is your top style or beauty tip?
A great lipstick is always a MUST! – For this fall I am really into dark maroon or brown colors.
What mantra or motto do you live by?
“The mind is everything, what you think you become.” -Buddha
Name: Shawna Stephenson
Year: Senior
Hometown: Good Hope, Jamaica
Major: Marketing
Role at HC: Marketing team
HC: Which artists are on your ‘getting ready’ playlist?
SS: Pretty much anything Adventure Club, Florence+ The Machine, ASAP Rocky.
HC: Who inspires you the most, and why?
SS: My mom inspires me the most because she’s seriously the best mom ever!
Name: Genesis Rios
Year: Junior
Hometown: Chicago, IL
Major: Psychology
Role at HC: Writer
HC: What is your ideal weather?
GR: Fall weather. Cold enough to wear hoodies and boots, but not too cold to need a heavy jacket.
HC: Who inspires you the most, and why?
GR: My mom, she has sacrificed so much for my family. She motivates me to never give up and to always try my best.[pagebreak]
Name: Arta Neziroski
Year: Junior
Hometown: East Moline, IL
Major: Communications, media studies
Roles at HC: Writer
HC: What’s your order at chipotle?
AN: Bowl, double white rice, black beans, steak, hot salsa, corn, sour cream, lettuce, guacamole (yeah girl, I know its extra make sure to fill up the spoon, don’t be stingy).
HC: Which artists are on your ‘getting ready’ playlist?
AN: Always Lana del Rey, always. Beyonce is also on that playlist. A little bit (just kidding a lot) of Drake, (bae) and some Luke Bryan, and that’s basically also how you get the party started.
Name: Sydney Roti
Year: Junior
Hometown: Tinley Park, IL
Major: Marketing
Role at HC: Writer
HC: Which Kardashian sister do you identify yourself with?
SR: I, and my family, identify myself with Kourtney Kardashian. Kourtney is beautiful and has no emotion so yeah, I guess that describes me… Kidding! But really, she’s my spirit animal.
HC: Who is one celebrity you would leave your current/future spouse for?
SR: Ashton Kutcher. He’s in all my favorite movies and has been my number one since he was Kelso on That 70s Show <3[pagebreak]
Name: Cristina Anabel Gutierrez
Year: Sophomore
Major: Accounting
Role at HC: Writer
HC: Where is one place you want to visit?
CG: One place I want to visit is Greece. It has always been my dream to go ever since an elementary teacher taught me all about the Greek history and its landmarks.
HC: What’s some advice you’d give aspiring writers?
CG: To aspiring writers I will say to just put the pen to the paper or the fingers to the keyboard and just begin writing. Pour out your heart because that is what will make you unique. It will be your own style which is what I think makes a writer a good writer.
Name: Jenny Huh
Year: Freshman
Hometown: Warrenville, IL
Major: Political Science
Role at HC: Writer
HC: Which Kardashian sister do you identify yourself with?
JH: Kim Kardashian
HC: What is your ideal weather?
JH: A chilly, cloudy late afternoon—a great weather to grab a book and a cup of tea to read in front of the fire place. [pagebreak]
Name: Daniela Reyes
Major: Sociology
Year at UIC: Freshman
Hometown: Chicago
HerCampus role: Writer
Heritage: Mexican
What is your top style or beauty tip?
Experiment with new styles, but be comfortable with them because if you’re not, then you don’t smile and you’re never fully dressed without a smile. (Props if you know the reference).
Money set aside, what do you dream of doing someday?
Travel! I haven’t been to Mexico since I was little, and I want to explore the entire country and learn the history of my ancestors and more of its culture and traditions.
What advice do you have for future UIC students?
Explore campus before school starts so you won’t be running around trying to find your classes.
Name: Eisvina Balsyte
Major: Marketing
Year at UIC: Junior
Hometown: Downers Grove, IL
HerCampus role: Marketing Team/Campus Cutie writer
Heritage: Lithuanian
Money set aside, what do you dream of doing someday?
Opening a restaurant, building an Italian villa, and traveling the world.
Current obsessions?
The ShopStyle app/website, where you can find any piece of clothing you could possibly want. And churros, yum!
What’s something to be excited about?
The fact that many of the best moments in life are yet to come
Reasons to ♥ HerCampus UIC?
Because you’ll be able to read awesome articles written by awesome ladies ☺[pagebreak]
Name: Erin Walker
Major: Communications
Year at UIC: Freshman
Hometown: Holland, Michigan
HerCampus role: Nutrition and review blogger
Current obsessions?
Taylor Swift, Gilmore Girls, How to Get Away with Murder, Bonnie and Clyde (the 1967 movie), and Trader Joe’s.
What is your top style or beauty tip?
Confidence is everything. You can look good in anything you try on as long as you think you can rock it.
Money set aside, what do you dream of doing someday?
Writing or working for Jon Stewart on The Daily Show.
Name: Irais Elizarraraz
Major: Marketing
Year at UIC: Freshman
Hometown: Harvard, IL
HerCampus role: College Life writer
Best thing about winters in Chicago?
Proves we’re tough and only the strong survive. If you can conquer Chicago weather, you can pretty much conquer anything.
Current obsessions?
Patriotic wear. Something about the red, white, and blue just gets to me. I get compliments all the time about my American Flag sweater, it’s bold and eye catching.
What is your top style or beauty tip?
Stock up on Cardigans! So versatile and easily up-scales a t-shirt or tank. It gets the job done and it’s cozy. Start with basic greys and whites to begin a collection for matching purposes and then expand to patterns and colors. [pagebreak]
Name: Katie Krol
Major: Communications
Year at UIC: Freshman
Hometown: Manhattan, IL
HerCampus role: Campus Celebrity writer
Favorite experience so far this semester?
Going to the College Fashion Week show with my fellow Her Campus girls.
Who is your alter ego?
Lana Del Rey.
What is the best thing about winters in Chicago?
Seeing the huge Christmas tree at the Daley Plaza
What advice do you have for future UIC students?
Enjoy your last couple high school dances before they’re gone.
What mantra or motto do you live by?
Mind over matter.
What is your top style or beauty tip?
Boots are EVERYTHING in the fall!
Major: Communications and Business Marketing
Year at UIC: Freshman
Hometown: Sycamore, Illinois
HerCampus role: Fashion Columnist
Heritage: Polish
Money set aside, what do you dream of doing someday?
Editor-in-Chief of a major fashion magazine.
What is the best thing about winters in Chicago?
After one winter in Chicago you can successfully spend a whole winter in Siberia without it seeming that bad.
Current obsessions?
I am currently obsessed with my navy blue trench coat, BareMineral’s 8.0 eyeshadow palette, and sushi.
Who is your alter ego? Miranda Priestly [pagebreak]
Name: Palak Shah
Major: Neuroscience
Year at UIC: Freshman
Hometown: Barrington, IL
HerCampus role: Writer
Heritage: Indian
What is your top style or beauty tip?
When it comes to makeup, less is always more.
Money set aside, what do you dream of doing someday?
I want to travel the world.
What is the best thing about winters in Chicago?
The bean looks amazing in the snow.
Current obsessions?
Ed Sheeran ❤
What mantra or motto do you live by?
Always stick true to yourself.
Reasons to ♥ HerCampus UIC?
Because there’s no reason not to! ☺
Name: Paulina Rico-Juarez
Major: Computer Science plus a Business minor
Year at UIC: Second
Hometown: Chicago
HerCampus role: Writer and Marketing Team
Heritage: Mexican
What is your top style or beauty tip?
Always go with what your heart desires, never blindly follow trends!
What is a quirk most people don’t know about you?
The year before coming to UIC, I studied in Beijing, China. So, yes, I am fluent in Mandarin Chinese!
Who is your alter ego?
I love Lady Gaga’s complexity as an independent, wild creature that never fails in making statements and standing for important issues.
Money set aside, what do you dream of doing someday?
Learning enough French to go study fashion design in Paris and later launch my own label and makeup line. I would also like to run my own lifestyle magazine or social networking site.
What mantra or motto do you live by?
I have an entire “quotes” board on my Pinterest, but in general I try to channel Tina Fey’s “Say yes, and you’ll figure it out afterwards.”
Reasons to ♥ HerCampus UIC?
The empowering element of being in a team that’s supportive and open to everyone’s creativity and ideas. Not to mention all the fun activities including photoshoots, sponsor parties, and fashion shows! [pagebreak]
Name: Tikia Travis
Major: Communications Major with a Pre-Professional Goal in Pre-Law
Year at UIC: Second
Hometown: Chicago
HerCampus role: Fashion Blogger
Favorite experience so far this semester?
Having funnel cake for the first-time on a trip to Fright Fest with my mentoring program, Sparky’s Allies.
What is a quirk most people don’t know about you?
To stop myself from crying, I pinch the bridge of my nose.
Who is your alter ego?
I would say Sandra Oh’s character Christina Yang from Grey’s Anatomy. I’m very head-strong, determined, and selfish (in a positive way). Sometimes I take on the role of trying to save the world and solve everyone’s problems except my own. So my friends say I’m the Olivia Pope of our group!
What is the best thing about winters in Chicago?
Ice Skating and tons of hot chocolate with marshmallows.
What advice do you have for future UIC students?
Never be afraid to ask for help with classes/homework. Or to practically “stalk” (in a very professional way) your professor or TA.
Reasons to ♥ HerCampus UIC?
We have the best advice and columns on our website about relationships! I swear I read as many as I can each day!
Name: Zara Vaccarella
Major: Sociology.
Year at UIC: Freshman
Hometown: Chicago
HerCampus role: Poetry blog
What is your top style or beauty tip?
Simply wear what you want and don’t try to follow what is “popular.” Make your own trends!
What mantra or motto do you live by?
No apologies, no regrets.
What’s something to be excited about?
Your future!
Name: Candace DohYear at UIC: Senior Hometown: Homewood FlossmoorMajor: Psych major, CLJ minor Role at Her Campus: Marketing & Fashion Show/Events promoter
Why did you choose UIC?
To be able to live downtown for free while I’m young & explore Chicago using my CTA u-pass all while getting an education
Where is one place you want to visit?
My dad’s country Ghana, I’ve been to my mom’s (Jamaica) before and it would be nice to see both.
Wheres your favorite place in the city?
The Cheesecake Factory on 900 N. Michigan ave.