"see blue." #selfie: Chanel Friday

LEXINGTON, Ky. (April 26, 2016) — Want to get to know the people behind some of the biggest student leadership positions on campus? We did, too! That's why we've introduced "see blue." #selfie — a brand new series on UKNow that lets student leaders from across campus tell us a little bit more about themselves and their organizations. Up this week, a 2016 founding member of a the new Theta Nu Xi Multicultural Sorority Inc., Chanel Friday.

Friday is a senior ISC major from Kennewick, Washington. Last month, Friday saw a vision she had for a different kind of sorority come to life — the Theta Nu Xi Multicultural Sorority Inc. Friday is involved in numerous organizations around the University of Kentucky, ranging from 4 Paws for Ability to UK 101 peer instructing. Get to know this focused, compassionate and valiant leader in her "see blue." #selfie!  

UKNow: What is your major and what year are you?

Chanel Friday: I am a senior and my major is integrated strategic communication.

UK: Where are you from?

CF: Kennewick, Washington.

UK: Tell me about your position in Theta Nu Xi Multicultural Sorority Inc.

CF: I'm actually just a regular member now since we had elections for the upcoming year. I'll be an alum since I'm graduating. I am one of two pioneer founding members! The other is Julia Vega! 

UK: When did you have the vision for founding this sorority at UK?

CF: My sophomore year — so spring 2013! That's when Julia and I had the thought to start a new greek organization. We officially made contact with nationals fall of 2013.

UK: What makes you so passionate about this sorority? 

CF: I am passionate about it because I believe in all their tenants — scholarship, service, sisterhood, leadership and multiculturalism. I am especially passionate about the multicultural aspect of the sorority because I feel like its something the university needed to bridge the gap between a lot of cultures on campus.

UK: How many other school have this sorority?

CF: There are 36 chapters on various university campuses. We also have 24 graduate, alumnae and professional chapters across the states.

UK: What else are you involved in? 

CF: I am the overall leadership director at the Visitor's Center and a tour guide. I'm a Johnson Center facility manager and a UK 101 peer instructor. I did SeeBlueU orientation, I am the co-homecoming chair for STAT/Team Wildcat and also fostering my second 4 Paws for Ability dog, Apex. 

UK: Since you're also a tour guide at the Visitor's Center, what has been one experience that stands out to you when you think back on all the tours you've given of campus?

CF: It was Valentine’s Day and I knew my dad was going to be on campus. I told him a few days before that I had a tour at 10 a.m. We were passing through Maxwell Place and I saw my dad’s car parked outside. I was stopping to talk about Dr. Capilouto and the work he has done for the university. I could see my group starting to smile. I turned around and my dad was walking towards me with flowers and a huge stuffed owl. It was kind of embarrassing but definitely something I’ll never forget. I had to carry the owl and flowers the rest of my tour. My tour group thought it was cute!

UK: How long does it take you to get ready in the morning?

CF: Are we talking Monday, Wednesday and Friday? I usually have more time then, so like 45 minutes. Tuesday and Thursdays I have class at 9:30 a.m., so I like to sleep later and give myself 15-20 minutes. That also includes getting my dog ready for the day.

UK: What is your biggest fear? 

CF: I don't like masked creatures or scary movies! Halloween is a tough time for me. I don’t do scary movies, no thank you!

UK: If you had a memoir about your life, what would the title be? 

CF: Hot Mess.

UK: If you could have a super power, what would it be?

CF: I ask my tours this every week! I stole this from one of the students — the ability to pull anything out of my pocket. Anything you needed. I thought that would be cool as a super power!

UK: If you could make anything a national holiday, what would it be?

CF: National Pet an Owl Day because owls are my favorite animal!

UK: Since it's dead week and finals are coming up, where are you going to be studying? 

CF: I will probably be between Willy T and different Starbucks locations around Lexington. I switch it up for different scenery. Last round of finals — can’t wait!

UK: What is your go-to dance move?

CF: I just do what Drake does in Hotline Bling. Just feel it!

UK: What are the top three played songs on your iTunes list? 

CF: “Work" by Rihanna, "Grove Street Party" by Waka Flocka and "How Deep is Your Love" by Calvin Harris.

UK: If you could witness any event in history what would it be? 

CF: Anything to do with the civil rights movement and Martin Luther King Jr.…I would like to hear one of his speeches.

UK: What would you do if you won a million dollars? 

CF: First, I would put some into savings and then I would buy my parents anything they wanted … house, cars, anything. I would give back to them. I would put some away for my children’s college fund and donate to UK College of Communication because Gatton is cool, but the College of Communication is awesome, too! Then I would donate some to various charities and I would travel.

UK: What is one word or phrase you're guilty of saying too often?

CF: "And things like that" or “does that make sense?"

UK: What would you tell an incoming freshman? 

CF: I think that one piece of advice I would pass on would be to never be afraid to ask for help. I have found that when I ask the outcome is always 100 times better than me trying to suffer through it on my own. If you genuinely need help, don’t be afraid to ask for it.

UK: You are happiest when…

CF: It's a nice day and everything is going right with your day — your friends are good ... life is great!

"see blue." #selfies will appear every other Tuesday on UKNow. Know a student leader we should feature? Contact Rebecca Stratton at rebecca.stratton@uky.edu to nominate someone.

UK is the University for Kentucky. At UK, we are educating more students, treating more patients with complex illnesses and conducting more research and service than at any time in our 150-year history. To read more about the UK story and how you can support continued investment in your university and the Commonwealth, go to: uky.edu/uk4ky. #uk4ky #seeblue

MEDIA CONTACT: Rebecca Stratton, rebecca.stratton@uky.edu, 859-323-2395