2026 Senior Spotlight

By Jordan Ensign, with Kasaundra Harvey and Shyann Tarr

Next month, three members of the College Dress Relief team—Kasaundra Harvey, Shyann Tarr, and Jordan Ensign—will be graduating from Slippery Rock University. Today, we're highlighting the ways CDR has shaped their undergraduate journeys, and the memories made and lessons learned along the way.

Why did you decide to join CDR?

Kasaundra: I decided to join CDR during my freshman year at SRU, and I joined because of my love for fashion. I was interested in making connections with students that love fashion as much as I do. CDR gave me that, and so much more that has contributed very positively to my college experience.

Jordan: I heard about CDR during my sophomore year, and as an English major, I was interested in joining to gain blog writing experience. Three years later, I am beyond grateful to have made that decision! When I walked into my first CDR meeting, I never could have imagined how many new skills I would gain and amazing people I would meet.

What three words would you use to describe CDR?

Shyann: Creative. Supportive. Impactful.

Jordan: Inviting. Motivational. Collaborative.

What is your favorite project you worked on in CDR? 

Shyann: One of my favorite projects in CDR was writing a Galentine’s Day blog that was later published in The Rocket. I loved being able to combine creativity with communication to create something that felt fun, engaging, and relevant. It was exciting to see my work shared on a larger platform.

Kasaundra: Out of the many projects I have been able to participate in with CDR, my favorite was organizing a trip to Pittsburgh this year for our members. As the Co-President of CDR this year, I took on the responsibility of reaching out to various businesses outside of SRU to plan events and build connections, and I was able to lead the organization on a trip to the Pittsburgh Opera House for their annual fashion show. This trip also included a dinner in Pittsburgh with three wonderful alumni where members were able to network and learn from their experiences, as well as meet two of the founders of CDR. Being a part of the organizational aspect of this trip was an incredible experience, and I was so happy that many of our members were able to have a great fashion trip experience.

What is your favorite CDR memory?

Shyann: One of my favorite memories was attending the Pittsburgh Opera fashion show with CDR. It was such a unique experience to see fashion and storytelling come together, and getting to connect with alumni who helped start the organization made it even more meaningful.

Jordan: Some of my favorite memories from CDR are the blog workshops I've been able to host for our members. I'm a huge believer in the idea that collaboration is an essential part of the writing process, so it was always so rewarding to see members working together to develop ideas for what eventually turned into compelling and inspired blog posts. On content creation days, whether we were focusing on the blog or another platform, there was always an immense amount of creativity flowing throughout the room; that was always really inspiring to me, and those memories will always stand out.

How has CDR influenced your career goals?

Kasaundra: CDR has influenced my career goals tremendously by helping me discover my deep interest the communications industry. As a Marketing and Dance dual major, I already had an interest in the business aspect of fashion, but I never knew how much I loved creating social media content, planning events, and writing blogs and articles until I became a member of CDR. Now, I am looking to pursue a career combining all those interests by working an in internship this summer working for Forward Lawrence on their Marketing and Creative team, where I will be able to combine all those skills. I also am working to create a dancewear leotard fashion line, further diving into my combined love for fashion, business, and dance. CDR had a huge impact on my drive to pursue this idea.

Jordan: CDR has really expanded my understanding of where I can take my career. Through this club, I've learned so much about marketing, public relations, and social media, and I've been given the space to explore how the skills I've developed in the classroom as a writing student can be applied in these fields. As a freshman, I had a limited understanding of what my career as a writer could look like; CDR has played a key role in broadening my horizons.

What advice would you give to a CDR underclassman? 

Shyann: Don’t be afraid to join anything that interests you. Putting yourself out there can feel uncomfortable at first, but it’s how you meet some of the best people and make the most of your time. CDR is where I met some really great people, and that’s what made it so meaningful.

Kasaundra: Take as many opportunities presented by this club as possible. Although it can feel intimidating to step into content development, writing, or leadership roles, this club is full of kind students who all support and guide each other, especially underclassmen, so it is the perfect opportunity to take a chance and try something new. Getting the chance to work with your peers, build connections, and have fun in the process are all opportunities CDR provides, and I can’t stress enough how rewarding it is to get involved with this club and receive so much back in return.