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Her Campus UCF Female Leadership Awards Winner: Meet Ashley Kurns

UCF Contributor
Her Campus Placeholder Avatar Jillian James
This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at UCF chapter.

This is running series featuring the winners of the inaugural Her Campus UCF Female Leadership Awards! Her Campus UCF set out to acknowledge the amazing and inspiring female leaders on the UCF campus and share their stories.

Name: Ashley Kurns 

Major: Psychology 

 

1. Tell us about yourself! Where are you from, what are your hobbies, favorite things ect. 

My hometown is Lakeland, Florida. but I was born in Anchorage, Alaska! My hobbies include creative fiction and poetry writing, photography and DIY crafts. I have my own photography business named AK Photography. I am a Psychology major who specializes in clinical study.  

2. What organizations or groups are you involved with on campus, and how did you become involved with them? 

I founded a creative writing RSO on campus in Spring 2016 called Writers Uknighted, home to writers of all sorts including fiction, non-fiction, poetry and script! I am also a member of organizations such as HCUCF, Phi Eta Sigma NHS, and BSU. 

3. Why did you decide to come to UCF? What do you enjoy about the campus? 

I came to UCF because it’s close to home and it’s known for its specialty in Psychology, which is my major. I enjoy all of the opportunity that is given to students on campus (Including unique RSO’s, fun events, campus resources, etc.) 

4. What are you passionate about? 

I am passionate about creativity and expressing that creativity through avenues such as projects, open mic nights, posting work online, etc. I enjoy doing themed photo shoots, documentary styled videos and other fun, crafty projects such as homemade candles and bath bombs. 

5. What women serve as your personal role models? 

Major women who have inspired me include J.K Rowling- because of her innovation and her ability to create such a creative world such as Harry Potter, Oprah– because her determination and strive to be successful, as well as the empire that she has built that have inspired so many, and Michelle Obama-because of her intellect (she’s a Harvard graduate!), her grace and her motivational words. 

6. Where do you see yourself in ten years?

In ten years, I see myself owning my own clinical psychology practice, hopefully living in New York City with an amazing husband. I dream of having multiple dogs and kids, so having a big family is a must for me. I would also like to have published some best selling novels. 

7. Lastly, what advice would you give to women who want to empower other women?

The advice I would give is for women to do what they love and what makes them happy, and to never settle for anything less than the best that they deserve. Don’t let the fear of the unknown stop you from living. Life is short-seize every opportunity that you can!

UCF Contributor
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Jillian James is a senior at the University of Central Florida. She is majoring in Writing and Rhetoric and minoring in Mass Communication (because apparently you can’t minor in BeyoncĂ© studies). Her favorite food is free because she is a college student and the two loves of her life are Ben and Jerry (of Ben and Jerry’s ice cream fame). If she’s not writing or reading she is probably watching The Office or waiting in line at Starbucks. She loves to show off her dance moves in “inappropriate” places like the grocery store. You can follow her on Twitter and Instagram @Jillianrosej, where she frequently posts things that make people think that she has her life together.