Katheryn O'Hara '15: Bringing Her Own Multicultural Awareness to Campus

2013 Sep 27

Born in Germany where her parents were stationed there with the U.S. military, Katheryn O'Hara '15 moved to the States when she was three and grew up in Erie and Harrisburg. Impressed by Lebanon Valley College's campus, rigorous academic standards, and extracurricular opportunities, O'Hara came to the Valley, she says, "to make a difference." And she has: A double major in international studies and Spanish, O'Hara is also a resident assistant, Valley Ambassador, and member of the Bias Response Team, Diversity Action Committee and Spanish Club. She recently was named an LVC student trustee for the 2013-2014 and 2014-2015 academic years. O'Hara is sensitive to her role as an international student on campus. "I think the most crucial thing I bring to the classroom is the perspective of a multiracial female who has lived in various places throughout her life," she says. "My father is German and Irish, and my mother is African American. Besides my cultural background, my experiences coming from a military background are unique. I was always around different cultures and learned that everyone is equal regardless of creed, race, or religion. This understanding has allowed me to be open to more learning opportunities and personal enhancement. When you can coexist with people who live differently than you, it teaches you a lot about yourself and your own culture just as you learn about theirs." O'Hara is targeting international work or research after graduation. In the meantime, she plans to study in Peru next summer. Last summer, she interned in the office of Pennsylvania State Senator Rob Teplitz. "I was hired because of my knowledge of Latino/Hispanic culture as well as my speaking skills," O'Hara says. "I took the internship to challenge myself and understand the workings of politics," she says. "As I pursue my degree I'm becoming much more culturally focused, but I feel it's vital to be well-rounded, so I'm attempting to challenge myself in areas where I'm not very comfortable."

This story originally published as a supplement to the Fall 2013 issue of The Valley Magazine.