“Kayla Pearson: A Born Journalist Determined to Succeed”

Many students change their minds about what they want to do in life at least once during college.  Juniors typically spend their third year finishing up general education requirements and finalizing their concentration decision or major.  Few are as well focused and certain about their future as 19 year old Journalism Major Kayla Pearson, a Junior at the University of North Carolina at Pembroke (UNCP).

Pearson is originally from Jacksonville, but calls Greensboro, North Carolina home.  During the school year, she resides on campus at UNCP’s Village Apartments.

Pearson says she has always liked to write.  She began realizing her potential in the eight grade, when she was on the school’s newspaper staff.

She was first introduced to the idea of attending UNCP by a close friend whose concentration is also in Journalism.  Pearson says she was skeptical about the school at first, but really liked the idea of learning “somewhere small.”  After visiting the campus, she fell in love with it.

However, Pearson would likely succeed despite the school she attends.  As a full-time Honors College student, she maintains a challenging schedule at UNCP.  Her extracurricular involvement includes Assistant News Editor of the school’s Pine Needle Newspaper “Around the Town” section, and the Student Government Association (SGA), for which she serves as Senator and has recently been developing a new constitution.

Her inspirations include writers of the Harlem Renaissance such as Langston Hughes, and poet and writer Nikki Giovanni.

Pearson says rather than complaining about having nothing to do in the small rural town of Pembroke, she keeps busy with multiple activities.  In doing so, she meets many new people and has a chance to gain experience and knowledge in different areas, preventing her from becoming bored or tired of Pembroke.

Kayla has a fun and playful side as well.  When asked what keeps her going, without hesitation she jokingly replies “the weekends!”

She also shared the humorous story of how she got her nickname.  When in Freshman Orientation for UNCP, her glasses would fog up when entering the cool air-conditioned buildings after being out in the hot August sun.  Kayla’s friends dubbed her “Foggy,” and the name still lingers today.

Though Pearson is a well-rounded student, she has a set of goals for the future.  While she hasn’t decided on a specific career path, she does intend to continue her education with a Masters degree in Mass Communication at a larger school such as The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, or possibly Columbia University in New York.  She says she has always thought it would be great to attend an Ivy League school.

Other long term dreams of hers include eventually obtaining a doctorate degree, writing a book, and winning the Nobel Peace Prize.  As for her career, Pearson is considering the magazine industry, specifically either a local or community magazine, or either a fashion magazine with more of an urban twist.  She says she has also thought about doing legal work.

At some point, Kayla wants to travel to Spain.  She has always wanted to learn to speak fluent Spanish too, she says.

Kayla Pearson says she has no regrets because “everything happens for a reason.”  She knows what she wants from life, and isn’t afraid to go for it.