Hello! Thank you for taking some time to check out my personal website. Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Christina Borst, and I am a senior honors student at Temple University in Philadelphia, PA who is graduating this December. Though I have lived in the Greater Philadelphia Area my entire life, it was not until I moved here for school that I discovered just how remarkable Philly truly is; the opportunities are boundless, diversity is around every corner and the people are committed to the growth of their city. Still, there is much work to be done here. As a double major in strategic communication and political science concentrating in public relations with a certificate in social science research, I can think of no better place to call home.

Being the daughter of a speech-language pathologist, I learned rather quickly that there is no superior alternative to open, honest communication. Growing up, watching the news and learning about what was happening around the world functioned as escapes for me (and still do). Though I have struggled with choosing what to study, there was no doubt in my mind that I wanted to do something in which I would get to improve the lives of others. I am fascinated by democracy; in a country where the people fundamentally hold the power, I strive to be civically engaged and make my voice heard as often as I can. I always liked the idea of being able to give control to those who feel voiceless through advocacy. A few years ago, I came across the work of artist David Shrigley and found myself absolutely taken with his belief that “weak messages create bad situations.” That quote has become a mantra for me, reminding myself to embrace everyday with transparency and to think critically about the effects of words.

My intersectional feminist and Democratic identities are core to everything I do. I am empowered by my ability to create change and inclusivity for myself and those who have felt ignored by their government in a society where that is not unwaveringly the case. My involvement in Temple College Democrats has been paramount in my college experience. Serving as this year’s president, I am responsible for connecting other students to the Democratic Party and pushing in the party line when progress is needed. I have had the pleasure to hear from many local politicians and student activists and attend conferences and forums. 

My first encounter with Philadelphia politics was when I worked for Rebecca Rhynhart’s campaign for Philadelphia city controller. When she reigned victorious in May, I can easily recall the overwhelming feeling of being a part of something much bigger than myself, since she has since become the first female city controller in Philadelphia’s history. Since then, I interned with Relief Communications, LLC, where I explored the nonprofit sector of PR with clients such as Mural Arts Philadelphia, Fairmount Park Conservancy, Historic Philadelphia, Inc. and AIDS Fund. I have also worked with Ceisler Media & Issue Advocacy, one of Pennsylvania’s top public relations firms. Aside from media relations, I conduct policy research and do outreach for coalition building. I was an  organizing and electoral intern for Planned Parenthood Southeastern Pennsylvania in the wake of the 2018 midterm elections. Most recently, I assumed the role of a research intern at the L’Osservatorio Research Centre, a nonprofit that aims to document the experiences of civilians impacted by global armed conflicts, during my time studying abroad in Rome, Italy. 

On campus, aside from Temple College Democrats, I am active in the Public Relations Student Society of America, the PRSSA Bateman Case Study Competition and Pi Sigma Alpha National Honor Society. I am also an account associate and executive board member for Temple’s student-run PR firm, PRowl Public Relations.

I am very fortunate that my passions can be regarded as hobbies. In the little free time that I do have, I love to attend concerts for alternative artists, read memoirs and nonfiction books, and watch The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. I hope to one day have a career dedicated to my specializations in nonprofit and public affairs. I am determined to spend my life supporting causes I have a deep conviction for, as I continue to take agency of my citizenship.