Kennesaw State recognizes dynamic, educated women this month for making their mark with their active participation and hard work, whether a professor, alumnus or student.
Becky Kilimnik is a digital media creator and proud co-host of “Homespun Haints,” a podcast of real ghost stories. Kilimnik was a web design instructor at KSU in 2012 and has evolved into a multi-talented educator, designer, illustrator and full-time podcaster.
KSU shaped the course of her life by introducing her to influential web-focused colleagues like Professor Kim Haimes-Korn and allowing her to view the different branches of online media.
“It was there that I learned how to blog, got involved in digital writing and opened my eyes to the digital sphere,” Kilimnik said.
Some of her female inspirations are Paula Scher, Marie Curie and Frida Kahlo, women that not only exceeded society’s expectations but also molded their careers by staying true to themselves.
Bridget Reyes, a KSU alumna, majored in Communications and was a part of the Recruitment, Retention, and Progression to Graduation (RRPG) Program for Hispanic/Latino Students.
Reyes is currently a project manager for LiveVox, an IT software company where she feels privileged to work alongside women that support one another. For Reyes, KSU allowed her to be a risk-taker and pursue her educational interests.
“When I signed up to study abroad in Monticello, Italy, I was unsure how I was going to pay for it,” Reyes said. “Thankfully, because of my grades and early enrollment in the program, I was offered a scholarship and realized KSU was looking out for me.”
In addition to being a project manager, Reyes has recently started her ranching journey accompanied by her husband with La Casa Corona. She raises chickens, horses, cows and sheep there, also welcoming visitors to her ranch.
Another diligent, highly driven woman is Sonya Ivashchenko, a KSU sophomore majoring in Media and Entertainment.
She is currently a member of the Creative Media group where she photographs the school’s sports teams and creates content for them. She discovered the organization when she reached out as a freshman to KSU’s video services personnel to apply and further her videography skills.
“Growing up I watched my father do photography on the side and that is kind of what got all of this started,” Ivashchenko said. “All throughout high school I filmed the football team and was able to gain experience through that.”
Sports may seem like a male-dominated realm, however, that has not stopped Ivaschenko from doing what she loves. If anything, she uses it as motivation to show her capabilities and encourage other girls to do the same.
Two of her biggest inspirations have been Madison Williams and Carly Gough, videographers that have produced exceptional content for professional football teams like the Clemson Tigers and Miami Dolphins.
Ivashchenko does freelance work by covering weddings, engagements and taking portraits. She hopes to have her own film company one day and to be contracted by local sports associations like the Atlanta Braves, Falcons and Hawks.
Women’s history month honors women who create change and pave the way for others by refusing to change themselves.
