Student Spotlight - Kierra L. Donald

Name: Kierra L. Donald

Hometown: Chicago, Illinois

Classification: Junior  

Major: Political Science and Mass Communications

Why Kentucky State? I am a product of Kentucky State. My parents, my aunt and my uncle went and met here. They would bring me on campus and I fell in love. When it came time to apply for college, I knew I wanted to attend an HBCU. Once I applied, I received a full scholarship and the opportunity to develop myself as a leader.

What is your major and why did you choose this area of study? I am a double major in political science and mass communications. I want to be a policy-maker, focusing on educational reform on the South and West sides of Chicago. I want to be the change in my community and help those that are advocates.

Who inspires you and why? I would have to say my two biggest inspirations are my parents and Michelle Obama (technically three). My parents inspire me to set an example for young girls in my neighborhood, elementary school and high school. They have been a coach and mentor to so many of my peers throughout the years and have shown me the importance of giving back. In the same sense, Michelle Obama is a woman of class and intelligence who also happens to be from the South Side of Chicago. To me, she represents a standard to strive toward and hopefully surpass. She is the beacon of hope that I hope to become.

What do you plan to do when you graduate? After graduation, I plan to either go to law school or graduate school for policy.

Words to live by: “We’ve got a responsibility to live up to the legacy of those who came before us by doing all that we can to help those who come after us” -Michelle Obama