Katie Davin, assistant director of Student Activities, is the oldest of four siblings. She grew up in Kinnelon, N.J. and attended Fairfield University, where she majored in mathematics and minored in educational studies and management. When she started college, she thought she wanted to be a math teacher, but soon realized it wasn't the path for her. In serving as a RA on campus and working in Conference and Event Management, she soon realized that a career in higher education is the direction she wanted to go.

She graduated from Boston College with a degree in Higher Education Administration and served as a graduate assistant in the Office of Student Involvement. After graduating, she started working at Union in her current role. She just began her seventh academic year at Union.

Outside of work, Davin enjoys walking and hiking with her dog, Murphy, across the Capital Region. Recently, she began volunteering at the Animal Protective Foundation walking adoptable dogs while they are at the shelter. Additionally, she often travels to Cape Cod to visit her parents, who moved there three years ago. She calls it her "free-cation."

FIRST APP YOU LOOK AT IN THE MORNING:

The weather app, or I ask Alexa what the weather is like so I know what I need to wear for walking my dog in the morning, especially on these cold winter mornings.

WHAT ARE YOU READING?

In the past several years, I have discovered that I love listening to audiobooks. I'm between books right now, but most likely you can find me listening to a historical fiction book (oftentimes taking place during World War II). I also like to read books recommended by my aunt, who is a librarian and posts reviews of the books she's read each month, which I use to find my next book.

WHAT ARE YOU WATCHING:

I really liked the "9-1-1" series on Hulu and I've been watching their new spin-off "9-1-1 Nashville" recently that I've enjoyed, especially because I love country music.

BEST PIECE OF ADVICE YOU RECEIVED:

During orientation at Fairfield University, my orientation leader said join a club that is comfortable for you and join one that scares you just a bit. I've taken that with me into everything I do. Find opportunities that are comfortable for you, but also put yourself out there in situations that might make you nervous - you never know what will happen.

ONE SKILL YOU WISH YOU HAD:

I wish I could speak multiple languages fluently. I spent seven years in middle and high school learning French, but never continued it. I would love to be able to communicate across cultures to various people and also understand what folks were saying when they communicate in public in another language.

THREE DINNER PARTY GUESTS (living or deceased):

My grandparents, Jeanne and Maurice Downey, and Alice Davin. They all passed before I was born, so I never got a chance to meet them. The stories my parents tell about them are some of my favorites and I would love to get to know them and hear about their life experiences.

LITTLE KNOWN FACT ABOUT YOU:

I have about 50 first cousins. My mom is one of 10 siblings and my dad is one of eight siblings, so our family gatherings are always really fun. I know a number of my second cousins and have even met a third cousin, who went to Fairfield University with me and my sister.

FAVORITE UNION MEMORY/EXPERIENCE:

During COVID, we worked with students to plan a fireworks show on campus. It was one of my favorite experiences because during that time it was difficult to find opportunities to be in community with people, and watching the fireworks outside was a chance to do just that for me and so many others.

ONE THING YOU CAN'T LIVE WITHOUT:

My dog Murphy. I adopted Murphy in 2021 and he is always the best thing about my day. He is such a happy-go-lucky dog and I can never truly have a bad day with him around. He loves walking on campus and making friends with students, campus safety officers, staff members and really anyone that will say hello.

WHICH LIVING PERSON DO YOU MOST ADMIRE

My mom, Grace. She is one of the strongest and most hard-working women I know. She has always been someone I can lean on for advice, comfort and great laughs. I wouldn't be who I am today without her to guide me and look up to.