Mikenzie Denholtz: Born to Direct

Meet Mikenzie Denholtz! As an aspiring movie director and a current ASPB Event Director, she is no doubt a born leader with a creative streak. You might recognize her from the 2013 UCR Bonfire celebration as she stood on stage and revved up the audience, tossing glow sticks and lip-syncing like a pro. And you certainly wouldn’t be able to forget her if you had her as an Orientation Leader this past summer and witnessed her enthusiasm for UCR firsthand, as she wielded the coveted Spirit Stick. Her big dreams, contagious enthusiasm, and significant contributions to UCR make her a perfect choice for this week’s Campus Celebrity!

Age: 19

Major: Media and Cultural Studies

Hometown: Riverside

Interesting fact about yourself: Up until I was seven, I would only eat white foods. To this day, I have no idea why.

Favorite movie: Probably Drive or Jurassic Park

What are your passions and/or talents?


I love filmmaking and my goal is to be a director someday. I would also say I have a knack for music – I play the guitar, piano, and violin. I’m also really good at spelling but I don’t know if that’s a special talent or passion.

Tell me about your involvement at UCR 


I’m the Director of Special Events for the Associated Students Program Board (ASPB) here on campus, so I work on large-scale events like Homecoming, Spring Splash and Block Party. I also helped start a club called Highlander Production House, where we introduce students to filmmaking and integrate them into the different processes behind it.

What has been most rewarding about your job as an ASPB Director of Special Events?


It definitely makes me happy when people come up to me and say how much they appreciate the event. It takes us months and a lot of tedious work to plan them, but it’s more than worth it if I’m helping create great memories for the students that they can take with them even after college is over.

What is the biggest challenge of your job?


The biggest challenge for me is trying to decide what artists or attractions students would enjoy the most. We know we can’t always please everyone but we definitely try our hardest to satisfy as many students as possible.

What inspired you to get so involved on campus?


I’m really energetic! I was pretty involved in high school so when I came to college I knew I needed to find something to do. I was lucky enough to do Highlander Orientation over the summer, and when I finished that my co-worker Adrian urged me to apply for the Director position on ASPB. I didn’t come to UCR thinking that I would be planning events for the campus, but I’m very happy that that is what ended up happening!

What have been some of your favorite experiences at UCR?


Being a Highlander Orientation leader is probably my all-time favorite life experience so far; it really taught me to appreciate the people that attend UCR and the university as a whole. Working Block Party 2012, being backstage for Spring Splash 2013 and just being a part of ASPB has taught me valuable life skills and has introduced me to so many great people. Just attending UCR has been an incredible journey.

What are your plans after you graduate? 


After I graduate, I would like to move to Los Angeles and start on my filmmaking career. It will be very tough, but I’m a tough girl so I’m ready for whatever life throws my way.

Anything else you’d like to say?


A big thank you to Her Campus UCR for everything you do for the students!