SGA Profiles: Katie Gurgainus, President

Katherine L. Gurgainus, the president of the Student Government Association at UNCW, was born into a school-oriented family.

"School was a family affair," Gurgainus said in a September interview.

The almost-22-year-old senior is the daughter of a history teacher father and a mother who is the director of technology for Randolph County schools.

Katie grew up in Asheboro, the largest town in Randolph County.

"We lived right around the corner from the zoo, literally," she said. "One day, a monkey got out and was playing in our trash!"

Gurgainus said her favorite thing about holding a public position is being able to work in the community. She has been involved in student government since middle school.

"I'm passionate about the student's voice and passionate about making things happen," she said.

She was the president of her class in high school for all four years and was also president of the Beta Club.

"Sports have been my life since I could walk," she said, attributing a large influence to the fact that her dad was a basketball coach.

While at UNCW, she has also served as vice president of organizations for SGA and has been active with many on-campus organizations.

"Through SGA, I'm connected to a lot of organizations and sit on a lot of committees," she explained.

After she graduates in the spring with a degree in mass communication and Spanish, Katie hopes to pursue her master's, most likely in public administration. She actually wants to continue the family tradition and get back in the school system, although she hopes to work in the university system. She specifically would like to come back to UNCW because "it's the best university ever."

"My heart is with the students," Gurgainus said. "I just stick by the morals I've been brought up with."