COM Senior Profile: Jenna Curran
Wednesday, April 18, 2018
Making Every Day Count
By Taylor Maloch
From her freshman year until her last few days on campus, senior Jenna Curran made every moment of her college years count. Curran is the definition of a well-rounded college student, with leadership positions in ACE (Association for Campus Entertainment), Crossroads, Alpha Xi Delta, and the Panhellenic Council. She served as an event coordinator for Rock For A Cure, and most recently, was crowned this year’s homecoming queen.
Originally from New Egypt, New Jersey, Curran travelled to North Carolina to follow her mother’s North Carolina roots. She immediately fell in love with UNCW’s campus, and became a Communication Studies major with a minor in English. During her senior year, she has focused on her role as President of the Panhellenic Council for the UNCW Greek community, and working with Crossroads, UNCW’s alcohol and other drug prevention and education program
“The main thing I have done in my time here is focused on combining Crossroads and Panhellenic programs,” Curran said. “I noticed a gap in awareness of [the dangers of] alcohol and drugs in the Greek community, so I sat down with another peer educator and we came up with four programs that are targeted specifically to Greek events and parties to help keep our community safer.”
Like many incoming freshmen Curran was not sure what she wanted to major in, but UNCW gave her the chance to be involved in a variety of groups and programs. At first, UNCW’s Association for Campus Entertainment (ACE) did not accept her during her first year. Rather than giving up, Curran applied again and was accepted, moving up to the Vice President of membership where she recruited and trained new members of ACE. “In each organization I wanted to climb up the leadership ladder,” Curran said. “I wanted it to be a meaningful thing, I didn’t just want to be a member.”
Curran worked as an event coordinator with the 11th Annual Rock for a Cure breast cancer benefit to raise funds for the New Hanover Regional Medical Center Foundation’s Pink Ribbon Project. She said she was excited about working on the event because it was “a team of women working together to create something amazing that in turn, helps other women. Nothing excites me more.”
Curran credits her involvement with ACE, Crossroads, and Panhellenic Council with giving her the experience and confidence to succeed with Rock for a Cure. “I learned about event planning through my experiences with ACE. I learned how to be a competent speaker by presenting programs about alcohol and drugs to freshmen,” Curran said. I applied everything that I’ve learned [to plan Rock for a Cure]. It really tested my skills.” The event raised more than $6,000 surpassing their cumulative goal of $52,000 total raised during its 11 years.
After graduation, Curran plans to go into public relations or advertising in the entertainment field. While her days at UNCW are numbered, she will never forget her southern home. Curran’s advice for current and future students is to explore what UNCW has to offer and be open to anything, “You’ll know in your gut where you’re meant to be,” Curran said. “Once you find that, follow it.”