What I’ve Learned: Madison Kress ’20
May 06, 2020
By Elsa Wenzel
The Hamilton Holt School’s 2020 Outstanding Graduating Senior forged a unique path through Rollins that exemplifies a sense of purpose and service.
Madison Kress ’20 knew Rollins was right for her when she visited Orlando Hall and spotted the big, oval wooden tables that beckon big ideas and discussion. She could envision herself sitting there, engaging with her classmates and professors, and learning how to become an agent of change armed with purpose.
While Kress is a traditional-age college student, she gravitated toward the flexibility of Rollins’ Hamilton Holt School, where she double-majored in communications and psychology and created a work study role as communications and community student outreach coordinator. Kress spent all four years in this position, helping increase the school’s social media presence and launching the popular Holt Happenings event series.
Kress thrived in the small, discussion-based classes anchored by the close-knit relationships she was able to develop with both her professors and fellow students, and she applied these skills in and outside the classroom. She served as the lead Holt senator in the Student Government Association (SGA) and sat on its executive board as the public relations chair, expanding her leadership to the greater community.
After graduation, Kress will continue her internship with Radiate Social, a boutique PR firm for which she recently wrote a video script for Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings. Longer term, she hopes to work with educational institutions, possibly in community outreach and marketing, that support students of all ages.
On the cusp of graduation and during a time of unprecedented uncertainty as the world is facing a global pandemic, we asked Kress to reflect on her four years at Rollins and to look toward the future.
Being in class with students who had jobs and families really pushed me. I’ve had the most life-changing experiences. I’ve learned from classmates, including a single mother and someone who immigrated from Brazil, about things they’ve had to sacrifice. This whole experience has added such perspective to my life and has been truly humbling.
As a double major in communications and psychology, I always look for ways to bring the two together. Through developing and organizing the Holt Happenings events, I was always paying attention to questions like, “Is this effective communication? How is this serving the community?” Being the point person for these events—like the networking night we did this spring with the Center for Career & Life Planning in the new Kathleen W. Rollins Hall—really helped hone my strategic planning skills.
This nontraditional path is so much better than anything I could’ve expected from a school. It’s inspired me more and more to want to give back to the community.
Rollins opens the doors to all kinds of opportunities. During my four years, there was never a time when I expressed interest in something and was met with anything other than assistance and enthusiasm. Erik Kenyon, a philosophy professor and the Holt School’s director of student and faculty engagement, is one of my mentors, and he really helped me find my voice. My academic advisor, Debbie Tatum, was always so supportive and encouraging whether it was related to my academic endeavors or community outreach.
The opportunity to get involved with the community helped me become a leader. And I know these kinds of opportunities may be a bit harder to come by in the real world, but by being a big fish in a small pond at Rollins, I feel prepared to leap into a bigger pond. Rollins taught me that if you want to make it happen, you can make it happen.
Rollins Results
From our innovative curriculum to our commitment to career services, find out how Rollins prepares our graduates to lead meaningful lives and forge productive careers.
Find Out What It Means to be Rollins Ready
Related News
October 17, 2024
Climate Week at Rollins College
Anne Stone, Cornell Chair of the Rollins Social Impact Hub, and Director Melissa Nelson discuss the importance of Florida Climate Week and the activities designed to help students understand their role in protecting the environment.
October 17, 2024
Rollins’ Crummer Graduate School of Business Ranked Among Top 100 MBA Programs
The Crummer Graduate School of Business has been ranked as one of the top 100 MBA programs worldwide on LinkedIn’s list of Top 100 Best Business Schools to Grow Your Career.
October 11, 2024
Psychology Professor Provides Expertise on Children Developing a Love for Reading
Alice Davidson, a psychology professor and Director of the Hume House College Child Development and Student Research Center, provided expert commentary to Parents.com on teaching your child to develop a love for reading.