Katalina Xayavong

HOMETOWN: Akron, Ohio
CAMPUS: Columbus
MAJOR: BS in Anthropology, minor in forensic science
YEAR: Class of 2026

Katalina is a first-generation student whose parents are both immigrants from different countries. Growing up in a tight-knit family with her mom being the sole provider, she knew she wanted to stay in state for school. She decided on Ohio State after being chosen as part of the inaugural cohort of the Scarlet and Gray Advantage program, which fully supports all expenses and helped her graduate completely debt-free.

By the spring of her freshman year, she began to work 20 hours a week at the financial aid office on campus and continued throughout all four years. She finds it rewarding to help other first-year and first-generation students with no clue where to start, just like she was when she first came here. Her favorite Ohio State memory is getting more involved with her department and meeting one of her best friends in an archeology class. She says the best class she took was The Living Primates, since it allowed her to explore a different side of anthropology. Katalina also enjoyed participating in Ohio State’s Wigs for Kids, which helps children with medical-related hair loss.

In June 2026, Katalina started her full-time counselor position at BuckeyeLink and is excited to further her time with the university. She would love to eventually work in a museum with a curation job. She likes the human-side of archaeology, where she has the creativity to put together items and tell a story. She plans to work for a few years before coming back to earn a master’s degree and a doctorate.