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The opinions expressed in this article are the writer’s own and do not reflect the views of Her Campus.
This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Purdue chapter.

The executive board of Her Campus at Purdue is very excited to announce the November recipient of our Writer of the Month honor, Carissa Ray! Carissa is our dedicated and hardworking senior editor. We are tremendously grateful for her contributions to our chapter ever since she joined as a freshman, so it is high time we present her with this honor. Read the interview below to get to know Carissa, our November Writer of the Month!

  • What is your name, major, year in school?

My name is Carissa Ray. I am currently a junior and I am studying Psychology with minors in Spanish and Forensic Sciences.

  • Where are you from?

I am from a small town called Johnsburg located in northern Illinois.

  • How long have you been a member of Her Campus at Purdue?

I have been a member of Her Campus for a year now. I began last January.

  • What is your favorite thing about being involved with HC at Purdue?

I absolutely love getting to work with others who are also passionate about writing. I especially like getting to read all of the articles each week as I edit them. It is a pleasure to get to read what the other members create.

  • Why did you choose to join HC at Purdue?

I loved writing in high school, and I wanted to continue writing in college. I thought it would be a good way to keep writing and release some creative energy. I also liked the idea of an all-women’s group that had a common interest.

  • What do you like to do outside of school?

Outside of school, I love to read, dance, and listen to music. My main genres are mystery, romance, and fantasy. This year, my favorite reads have been “I’m Glad My Mom Died”, “Fourth Wing”, and “Regretting You”. This year, I have been a member of Higher Ground Dance Company. Specifically, this semester I am in two jazz numbers, one lyrical number, and one musical theater number. In regard to music, I am a huge Taylor Swift fan.

  • What is your favorite class you’ve taken at Purdue?

My favorite class that I have taken at Purdue would have to be Forensic Investigation.

  • If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?

If I could travel anywhere in the world, I would go to Europe and travel through various countries. I have always wanted to visit France, Spain, Italy, Greece, and so many more.

  • What kind of music do you love to listen to?

I absolutely love listening to Taylor Swift and really any pop music. Some of my other favorite artists include Dean Lewis, Tate McRae, Olivia Rodrigo, Ed Sheeran, and Yung Gravy.

  • Favorite place to shop?

My favorite place to shop on campus is Von’s since there is such a variety but my favorite place to shop online would be Amazon. I am a sucker for the speedy delivery and the access to almost anything you can think of.

  • What do you want to do after you graduate?

After I graduate, I plan to attend graduate school and eventually become a forensic psychologist.  I want to work on criminal profiling and in courts.

  • What is your biggest goal for your future?

My biggest goal for the future is to do something I love and to be happy with my life. I have seen so many people as they get older become worn out and depressed because they are living a life that they don’t truly enjoy. This typically stems from doing a job that they don’t like. I want to find a job that is enjoyable to me so that I can truly enjoy life and embrace happiness. We only have one life and I plan to enjoy it by doing something that I love.

  • What is one thing about you that surprises people? (Or feel free to just put a fun fact!)

I have a few fun facts. One, I have four dogs but only one of them is at Purdue with me. Two, I am working to become trilingual. English is my first language, but I am working on a minor in Spanish, and I am teaching myself Italian on the side. Three, I know how to play numerous instruments. I haven’t played since high school, but I can play a number of instruments. My main instrument was clarinet, but I can also play the alto saxophone, Bari saxophone, bass clarinet, alto clarinet, and the bass drum (very limited though).

  • What would you tell someone thinking about joining HC at Purdue?

Do it! This is one of the most rewarding clubs here at Purdue. It is so much fun to be surrounded by other women who value writing and just enjoy hanging out together. Everyone in the chapter is absolutely amazing and I love attending all of our events and meetings.

Thank you for reading! If you’d like to check out more from Carissa, follow her on Instagram: @casray15

Katherine Raykova is the President at the Her Campus at Purdue chapter. She’s been a part of Purdue’s Her Campus chapter since fall of 2020! She oversees chapter meetings, brand partnerships, a monthly chapter newsletter, and general maintenance to keep her chapter afloat. Her favorite areas to write about are fashion, books, plants, and all things witchy. Katherine is currently a senior at Purdue University, double majoring in Mechanical Engineering and English with a minor in Intellectual Property Law for Engineers. She has completed a year of industry experience working in aerospace consulting and is currently an undergraduate research assistant for the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Purdue. Outside of classes and Her Campus, Katherine is also a writing tutor at Purdue’s On-Campus Writing Lab (OWL) and a mentor for the Women in Engineering program. She hopes to attend law school next year to become a patent attorney. When she gets the chance, Katherine reads and spends as much time outside as possible. She loves listening to music and going on long walks around campus and nearby nature centers – even in the winter. Most days, she practices yoga, plays with tarot cards, and drinks multiple cups of tea. When she feels inspired, Katherine writes fiction or takes on a sewing/knitting project.
Carissa Ray is the president of the Purdue Chapter of Her Campus. Last year she held the position of senior editor. She also writes articles for the chapter and typically writes entertainment pieces. She has been a member of the chapter since January of 2023! Carissa is currently a senior studying at Purdue University. She is majoring in Psychological Sciences with minors in Spanish and Forensic Sciences. Aside from Her Campus, Carissa is also on the board of the Purdue Chapter of Omicron Delta Kappa, a leadership honors society. She was recently elected as the president for the 2024-25 academic year. She is also a mentor for the College of Health and Human Sciences. In the future, she hopes to become a Forensic Psychologist and potentially work for the FBI. When she is not busy with school, Carissa is a huge book nerd and loves to read anything with mystery, romance, or fantasy. She also loves dancing and is part of the Purdue Higher Ground Dance Company. She enjoys jazz, hip hop, and theater dance styles. Finally, if she has any extra time, she is a TV buff and enjoys binging TV shows like Modern Family, The Vampire Diaries, or Supernatural.