Sierra Hatfield

My name is Sierra Kathryn Gilliam Hatfield. I am from Harlan County, Kentucky, set in the Appalachian coalfields. My upbringing in the mountains inspired me to build myself up in a way that allows me to give back to my home and my university because, without them, I'd be nothing. I am currently in my senior year of college at the University of Kentucky where I am the first of my family to attend a 4-year institution. I have aspirations of attaining a Masters at the Martin School of Public Policy here in Lexington, but for my gap year, I will be working on a novel. I have previously interned for the National Consumers League in Washington, D.C. and the Secretary of State, welcomed the class of 2020 as the Sophomore Representative of UK, and studied nationalism abroad in the autonomous communities of Spain. I am currently a Policy and Research Graduate Fellow at The Council of State Governments. This past year, I was the Director of Campus Services at the University of Kentucky Student Government Association where my main initiative was to promote the professional goals of students by managing the Wildcat Wardrobe, a free clothing service to help alleviate the burden of purchasing fancy clothes for interviews and jobs. I also take great pride in teaching UK 101 as a Peer Instructor. Last but not least, this summer I completed my Departmental Honors Thesis about the potential influence of political internet memes on the young electorate. When I am not busy with policy and politics, you can find me telling stories with the Kentucky Storytelling Association or performing on the aerial silks as a company apprentice with SORA Contemporary Circus.