Meet Your OL

Kianna

Pronouns: She/her
Year in School: Sophomore
Major: Public Relations
Hometown: Mountain House, CA

About Kianna

As an out-of-state student from California, I was both nervous and excited to begin my journey as a New Coug in Pullman. WSU stood out to me after visiting my high school because it felt like a place where I could grow while also finding a sense of home away from home. I was also fortunate to come with my high school best friend, which made the transition easier, but I was still eager to meet new people and figure out who I was outside of my hometown. Before orientation, I wasn’t fully sure what I wanted to study, so I was excited to explore the different academic programs WSU had to offer.

Orientation helped confirm that I had made the right choice in becoming a Coug. My orientation leader was welcoming and passionate about WSU, and hearing their experiences made the university feel more personal and achievable. The experience also gave me a better understanding of what college life would look like day to day and helped me connect with other students I still talk to now. Even though the first day felt overwhelming, I quickly settled in, enjoyed the activities, and still look back fondly on the evening events and staying in the residence halls, which made campus life feel much less intimidating.

During my first year at WSU, I changed my major several times as I explored different interests. I initially considered nursing, then moved toward wildlife ecology after attending Experience WSU and learning more about the sciences. However, everything shifted when I joined the Men’s Hockey Club and got involved in their media and communications opportunities. With my background in yearbook journalism and sports photography, I discovered a strong passion for sports communications. That experience ultimately led me to switch my major to Public Relations, where I now serve as a social media and game day manager. Through this journey, I’ve found both my academic path and a community of friends and mentors, and I now hope to pursue a career in professional sports communications.