Michelle Dimino and Amanda Rodrigues are the new Co-Presidents and Editors-in-Chief of Harvard’s Her Campus chapter! They are both juniors in the College who share a passion for writing and promoting women’s issues on campus. Read on to learn more about them, and get in touch by emailing michelledimino@hercampus.com or amandarodrigues@hercampus.com for more information on how to become involved!
1. Tell us a little about yourself — where are you from, what do you study, and what do you enjoy doing in your free time?
Amanda Rodrigues: When I’m not huddled in the corner of a coffee shop reading a book or desperately trying to write my own novel, I can be found mentoring with Strong Women, Strong Girls, performing in a show on campus, or relaxing with my roommates. I am an English major with a Government secondary and a Spanish citation from Connecticut and my greatest passions are singing, writing, and traveling.
Michelle Dimino: I’m from Long Island, New York, but now consider beautiful Kirkland House to be my home. I am a Romance Languages and Literatures concentrator working on a secondary in English with a focus on creative writing. Three surefire guesses for where to find me at any given moment: hanging out with my Delta Gamma sisters, procrastinating in Kirkland Dhall with my blockmates, or obsessing over Boo’s latest photoshoot . . . or trying to sneak in a nap between some combination of those things!
2. What are some of the extracurricular activities are you involved with on campus?
AR: Apart from Her Campus, I am a program coordinator for Strong Women, Strong Girls and love every second of it. I mentor a group of sixteen third to fifth grade girls and feel strongly about promoting confidence in young women. I am a member of the Harvard Circle of Women chapter and The Institute of Politics, and have performed in shows on campus.
MD: I am the Vice President of Foundation for DG, a position in which I organize our chapter’s volunteer work to support our national philanthropy, Service for Sight. I’ve been very involved with event planning and free social programming on campus, serving on the First-Year Social Committee, the College Events Board and, most recently, Kirkland House Committee. I also work as an editorial assistant for the Harvard Alumni Association, editing personal narratives for the Class Reports. I’m so excited to add Her Campus to that list!
3. What are your plans for J-term?
AR: Still in the works! As of right now I am definitely planning to cuddle with my family and drink a lot of hot chocolate while playing in the snow. I am hoping to return to a previous job position and would also love to travel somewhere for a week or two.
MD: Also still working on it! I plan to be home, enjoying New York in wintertime, and hopefully I’ll be able to set up a short-term internship in the publishing field!
4. What would be your dream job after graduation?
AR: Well my DREAM job would be a film actress, no question! As far as more feasible, if someone could figure out a job where I get paid to travel and write influential pieces, that would be it! Otherwise, somehow working for the government, maybe abroad for a few years . . . or an Anchor on a morning show.
MD: A full-time writer is and has always been the dream! But I won’t get my hopes up on that front, so I’d be happy with any position in publishing, editing, or translating where I can write in some capacity. I’m also exploring opportunities to work in public diplomacy and the foreign service, and I’d love to spend a few years after graduation teaching, working, or going to grad school in Italy!
5. What excites you most about joining the Her Campus team?
AR: I am so excited to be a part of Her Campus!! I first heard about the website during my information session when looking at Harvard my junior year of high school. I knew it was something that I would one day love to be a part of but never dreamed I would have the opportunity to be co-president! My hopes are that Her Campus can expand past just an online presence on campus and become a community for women at Harvard.
MD: The incredible influence that Her Campus has come to have in communities of college women across the nation is so inspiring to me, and I couldn’t be more excited to get involved in Harvard’s chapter! I am looking forward to creating a lineup of content that offers Harvard women a source of fun entertainment (hey, you all deserve a study break!) while bringing to the forefront thought and dialogue about important issues we face on this campus. We’re always happy to field suggestions for topics you’d like to see us and our staff explore, so please reach out to us with YOUR ideas!