News from The Mahurin Honors College

While the Mahurin Honors College (MHC) values forming a scholar in the classroom, they also encourage scholar growth off campus and abroad. Olivia “Liv” Laws (MHC ‘22) is a model of pursuing one’s passions in all aspects of their education. Liv is majoring in Strategic Marketing and minoring in Graphic Design. 

Spring of 2020, she studied abroad at Harlaxton in Grantham, England. Liv explains that Harlaxton developed her skills but also enabled her to explore Europe and immerse herself in its culture. A part of her “Big Dream” is to have a career in London, and this study abroad opportunity further instilled her drive to succeed at WKU so that she might reach her goal. 

Summer 2021, Liv was selected to intern at the Louisville branch with a company called Brown-Forman, an international alcohol corporation. While advancing her skills in the Integrated Marketing Communications (IMC) department, Liv was able to interact with people worldwide, “one of the things that I really liked about it was, attending virtual training or meetings with people who would be located in London or in India. It was the coolest part- seeing the reach that  Brown-Forman has all around the world.” 

She asserted the MHC instilled in her a professional mindset and taught her to actively contribute in meetings and projects. Liv also credits some of her success in her internship to her experience with the MHC: “The MHC helped me to continually utilize my resources, peers, co-workers, and managers to help me succeed in numerous settings.” 

She explained, “during my time, I drafted emails and social posts for many special occasions. For example, I wrote Father's Day and PRIDE month emails for many of the brands I worked with, plus emails for the seasonal products we were releasing. I also helped brainstorm our Owned Channel Strategy on many brands. Or in May, I observed a photo shoot for Slane Irish Whiskey.”

While this internship taught her many practical skills, it also connected Liv with a piece of her dad, “Woodford Reserve was my dad's favorite bourbon. Having that tie in the back of my mind that this was his favorite, I knew he would love it if I was working for a company that he really cherished, so kind of having that emotional drive really helped me overcome any challenges and obstacles at work.”

Liv advises each MHC scholar to, “grow your skills and develop your passions in other areas, aside from your major. Maybe try to pick up that minor or even a certificate.

We are so proud of Liv and wish her the best!