Leading and Influencing Through Social Media

Katies fostering community and keeping connected on social media

Most people in our generation have TikTok and Instagram, and it is seen as a bit odd if you don’t. During the pandemic, social media was very important in order to stay connected with others and has stayed especially important here on campus. Social media builds a sense of community for Katies, regardless if they live on campus, off-campus or are across the globe studying abroad.

One of the missions here at St. Kate’s is to educate people to lead and influence. This mission is evident in both the official and unofficial St. Kate’s social media accounts and meme pages. Let’s look at a few examples.

Career Development Center (@stkatecareer)

The Career Development Center Instagram is one of the most active and engaging official social media accounts under St Kate’s. It posts nearly every day and debunks career myths every Monday. The Instagram account also shares resources and tips that the office can help with, such as resume help and mock interviews.

*An example of one of Career Development’s posts on Instagram. Source @stkatecareer*

As a student, the Career Development Center’s Instagram page is very helpful because it demystifies beliefs about careers and career planning. It also offers a space for students to be able to ask career and internship-related questions without any judgment.

Ducks of St. Kate's (@stkatesducks)

The Ducks of St. Kate's Instagram page is fairly self-explanatory; It shares pictures of the many ducks that we have on campus. Much of the content is of a bonded Mallard pair named Ester and Wally. The page is open to submissions, which helps make community possible. Everyone is able to “honor the ducks,” as the Instagram bio for the page states.

*A picture of Ester and Wally. Source @rachael._.rahn*

Kloseted Katies (@kloseted_katies)

Kloseted Katies is a meme page dedicated to St. Kate’s-related memes that everyone can get behind. Like @stkatesducks, this account takes submissions from students, which is helpful for community building. The memes are so specifically catered for the St. Kate’s community that it allows for a deeper culture to form and influences the meaning of what it means to be a Katie. Looking back at these memes also brings back a similar feeling of nostalgia or camraderie around a particular time or event.

St. Kate’s TikTok (@stkates)

The official St. Kate’s TikTok account is relatively new, but that does not stop it from being impactful. Most everyone is on TikTok these days, especially prospective students. Being able to reach those people is important because, through a screen, they get a sneak-peek of life on campus, whether it be the Starbucks on the second floor of the Coeur de Catherine or the beautiful plants around campus during the warmer months. For current and past Katies, the utter joy that one gets when seeing the campus ducks brings back nostalgia and happiness.

A screenshot of a TikTok posted on the official St. Kate’s TikTok

All of these accounts help connect Katies with each other through common experiences, whether it be seeing Ester and Wally, looking for career resources or laughing at a meme about Fontbonne. In addition, it invites prospective Katies to become a part of this community. For the current and past Katies, it allows for inside jokes and understanding to blossom, as well as forming a community that is easily accessible even when we are away.

After all, it is our community and we get to pick the memes.