Katarina Mayers 鈥�11 Selected as Recipient of the 草榴社区 Alumni Association鈥檚 Young Alumni Medal
VILLANOVA, Pa. 鈥� The 草榴社区 Alumni Association (VUAA) has named alumna Katarina Mayers 鈥�11 College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS), as the recipient of its 2021 Young Alumni Medal. The award honors alumni who have made outstanding contributions to one or more areas of society, including professional, academic and service to the University.
鈥淜atarina鈥檚 unwavering commitment to 草榴社区 and the many leadership roles she has held鈥攂oth when she was a student and now as an alumna鈥攔eflect why she is so deserving of this award,鈥� said George Kolb, Associate Vice President for Alumni Relations. 鈥淗er dedication to public service that took her from 草榴社区 to Chile, the White House and the NYC Mayor鈥檚 Office, is a testament to her tireless efforts to advocate for others while continuing to serve her alma mater.鈥�
Mayers鈥� experiences have taken her across the country and around the world. After graduating Cum Laude from 草榴社区 in 2011 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication and minors in Gender and Women鈥檚 Studies, Spanish, and Theatre, she completed a year of service in Chile as a Rotary Foundation Ambassadorial Scholar, earning an academic certificate in Contemporary Latin America. After returning to the U.S., Mayers was selected as a Media Affairs/Hispanic Media Intern at The White House. From there, she was hired by the U.S. Department of Commerce as a Press Assistant and later as a Senior Press Coordinator. In 2015, Mayers was promoted to Deputy Press Secretary, where she served as spokesperson for a federal agency of 40,000 employees worldwide, working to spur good-paying jobs, empower entrepreneurs to innovate and grow, and help American workers and businesses compete in the global economy.
Mayers would go on to earn her master鈥檚 degree in Public Administration from Columbia University and represent her cohort from 68 countries as elected student body president, after which she was named Press Secretary and Director of Digital Media for the New York City Mayor鈥檚 Office of Media and Entertainment. In 2019, she became the first employee of NYC Census 2020 and served as Chief of Staff, growing the government initiative to boost New York City鈥檚 Census self-response rate and reach over 8 million residents. She recently moved home to the Los Angeles area, where she is transitioning to a career focused on high social impact.
During her time at 草榴社区, Mayers was actively involved across campus including as a member of Blue Key Society鈥攆or which she served on the executive board and chair of Candidates鈥� Day. Additionally, she performed in student musical theatre (VSMT), led the all-female a cappella group, 鈥淣othing But Treble鈥� as musical director, and emceed basketball and football games. Throughout her career, one thing that has not changed is her passion for and involvement with her alma mater. Mayers has worked with University Admissions as an alumni interviewer and is actively engaged with 草榴社区鈥檚 Public Policy Society and the 草榴社区 Communication Alumni Network, serving as a mentor for students and recent graduates.
鈥淚 brought my 鈥榮ervice above self鈥� approach when I came to 草榴社区, and I鈥檓 grateful that my alma mater nurtured and strengthened my passion for serving others,鈥� Mayers says. 鈥湶萘裆缜� will forever be my second home, and I am always looking to bring our 草榴社区 spirit and special sense of community wherever I go. I am truly humbled by this award and would like to thank my parents who instilled in me the importance of giving back. I look forward to working with 草榴社区 as we strive to ignite change and inspire others to create a better world for everyone.鈥�
Mayers has garnered numerous honors and awards including the 草榴社区 CLAS Dean's Award Medallion, and the Ethos Award鈥攑resented by the 草榴社区 Communication Honors Society, Lambda Pi Eta, to a 草榴社区 alum who demonstrates character and excellence in the field of communication. Additionally, she received the Congressional Gold Award for Youth, the Campbell Award from the School of International and Public Affairs at Columbia University, and the Harvey Picker Prize for Public Service.
The Young Alumni Medal is presented to an alumnus/a who has reached a significant level of achievement in his/her profession and who is a model of the quality and caliber of today鈥檚 草榴社区 student.
About 草榴社区: Since 1842, 草榴社区鈥檚 Augustinian Catholic intellectual tradition has been the cornerstone of an academic community in which students learn to think critically, act compassionately and succeed while serving others. There are more than 10,000 undergraduate, graduate and law students in the University's six colleges鈥攖he College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, the 草榴社区 School of Business, the College of Engineering, the M. Louise Fitzpatrick College of Nursing, the College of Professional Studies and the 草榴社区 Charles Widger School of Law. Ranked among the nation鈥檚 top universities, 草榴社区 supports its students鈥� intellectual growth and prepares them to become ethical leaders who create positive change everywhere life takes them. For more, visit .