Written by Deniz Toksoz

As an Advertising major and President of Her Campus FSU, a women’s media publication with over 12,900 followers on Instagram, Kate Fernandez has combined her passion for communication with real-world leadership. Her experience in Her Campus began as a freshman when she reached out to Her Campus to see if they were accepting new members.

“It was a short journey, but it shows that even one simple question can turn into something big,” Fernandez said.

She took the initiative. This led to her involvement and ultimately her role as President of Her Campus FSU.

Fernandez’s leadership developed gradually. Initially a writer, she was encouraged to join the graphics team after her editor noticed her creative, hand-drawn article thumbnail. “That one little push inspired me to apply for more roles, and each step felt like a natural progression,” she said.

Her Campus FSU’s branding and social media strategies have been key to its success. Fernandez credits her advertising background for helping her develop a sense of audience engagement, applying strategic thinking to each campaign. Fernandez ensures that her team focuses on tailoring each social media post to resonate with their specific audience, while also pushing creative boundaries.

Their passion has led to collaborations with high-profile brands like Valentino Beauty, Garnier, and Mugler. Fernandez and the executive board play a crucial role in brainstorming these partnerships. As president, Fernandez ensures that Her Campus FSU’s vision is at the forefront of each campaign, overseeing the creative direction and execution of collaborations.

Balancing her communication courses with the demands of Her Campus isn’t always easy, but Fernandez credits her time management skills. “I’m very deadline-driven,” she said. She’s also quick to express her support for her team, which makes everything manageable.

Looking ahead, Fernandez is focused on growing Her Campus and networking with other organizations. “The goal is always to keep progressing and making what we do even better,” she said. As she reflects, Fernandez’s advice to other communication students is to take a leap into leadership roles. “People can show you the door, but you have to open it.”