Meet Kylie Daniel: Our September Leading Woman

Name: Kylie Daniel

Major: Journalism-Strategic Communications

Hometown: Frisco, Texas

What are your career/life goals?

I would love to either be a director of photography for a college athletics program or continue my own photography business and do weddings & portraits full time! Or, even better, a combination of both.

What is your favorite part about your major and why did you choose it?

My favorite part of the Journalism major is how specific you can be in your emphasis. I chose the journalism route because I knew I would want to do something sports related and Mizzou had that option. All of my journalism specialty classes specialize in sports promotion and marketing with dreams of participating in the Fox Sports capstone program next semester.

What organizations or hobbies are you passionate about?

Outside of Theta, I am an active member of The Salt Company and a college leader for Columbia Klife. I also attend Anthem Church on Sundays and have been active in all three of those organizations since freshman year. They have shaped me into who I am today! I am also a member of Mizzou Women in Meteorology which is where I can connect with other girls in my Atmospheric Science minor! In my free time, I like to spend as much time as possible with my roommates and my cat, Moose, who I've had since freshman year. Recently I’ve enjoyed learning how to stitch/hand sew and refresh my memory on how to work a sewing machine!

What has your experience been like working for Mizzou Athletics Photography?

I started with Mizzou Athletics in January of 2023 after taking a semester off of school. Starting out, I shot several women’s basketball games as well as some softball and gymnastics events. Since then, I’ve been able to shoot for the football team, men’s basketball and a few sponsorship events for the athletes. Traveling with the women’s basketball team to Daytona, FL last year was definitely a highlight of my time with the intern team! I am excited to continue with them this year as well as work for PowerMizzou, a marketing company that focuses on Mizzou Football and Basketball teams. 

How have your experiences in Theta changed you? What does Theta mean to you?

My experience in Theta has shaped me into a young woman who is confident, responsible, and courageous. Theta is the place where I met some of the friends who would spend all 4 years of college with me. Theta is my home away from home and a place of refuge when life gets hard. Theta is where I play Just Dance with my roommates in the 6 man late at night and where I know I will have a place to eat a meal with someone. I have grown so much by being a part of this sisterhood and don’t know what my college years would be without it. I am truly so thankful for the ways that Theta has inspired me to be the leader and the friend that I am today!

Do you have any advice for underclassmen? 

For the underclassmen who are either terrified of this semester or the ones who can’t wait to be seniors: take your time. Take a break if you need to. Do not rush through college. It might take time to find your people and get your credits in, and that is okay! Grades are not everything. Cherish the people you meet along the way and be kind to everyone. Get out of your comfort zone and chase the cool opportunity, even if it seems unattainable. Go to your professor’s office hours. Study hard but play harder. Life is not that serious–but take care of yourself. And most importantly, love your neighbor!

Do you have a specific favorite Theta memory?

My favorite Theta memory was probably spending a whole year in the second floor six man. I lived with 5 of my best friends, one of which was my G-Big, and we just made the sweetest memories living together. The last night we were in the house together we all wore pink pajamas and took pictures on all of the couches in our room and in the living room and played Just Dance on our tiny  TV for the last time. Another one of my favorite memories was coming back from taking a semester off and feeling so welcomed by everyone when I moved back into the house. Finally, a recent memory that has become my favorite is when my little sister, Kelsey, ran into my arms on Stankowski the morning of bid day–definitely a core memory for the both of us!