Mary Siekman
Comm 2221
Nicole Kraft
Kraft Quick to Join Mansoor Administration
Nicole Kraft had worked as a news reporter, Congressional press secretary, a magazine editor, a journalism professor, and established a comfortable life with her family in Columbus, Ohio, when an opportunity knocked and turned her life around.
An email from the White House Chief of Staff Arizona Roosevelt asked one question: “Would you like to become press secretary for presidential candidate Peter Mansoor?”
It didn’t take long for Kraft to decide to leave her position as a faculty member at The Ohio State University to join Mansoor in his journey to the White House.
“When a potential president comes calling, it is a really hard thing to turn down,” Kraft said.
Kraft is currently serving as the White House press secretary alongside Mansoor’s administration. Kraft handles the press office as it relates to the White House. She briefs the press core twice a day in terms of what the administration is working on.
Kraft is a native Californian who holds a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Temple University and a master’s degree in Communication from The Ohio State University. She worked as a newspaper and magazine editor before serving as press secretary for Pennsylvania Congressman Jon D. Fox.
Kraft spent the last 10 years as a professor within the School of Communication at The Ohio State University.
“I do not believe in doing things half way,” Kraft said. “I believe that anything worth doing is worth doing well.”
Kraft meets with policy advisors to stay updated on the nation’s news throughout the course of the day to keep the media and the public informed.
It is essential for the White House press secretary to possess excellent writing and people skills.
“Her work ethic is relentless and she has enormous emotional intelligence,” Roosevelt said. “It gives her the ability to understand people and connect with them.”
The daily tasks of the White House press secretary are overwhelming at times. Fortunately, the hard work, stress, and anxiety are outweighed by the satisfaction of working toward a purpose she believes in.
“We need to have incredibly high standards for ourselves and for the people around us,” Kraft said. “That is why I joined the Mansoor administration because I believe he is the person to get great things done.”
Kraft will continue to serve as the primary interface between the president and the White House until the completion of President Mansoor’s term and then plans to return to academia.
“My experiences here will help me be an even better teacher than I was before,” Kraft said. “I can become a better teacher everyday that I do it. My goal is to return and use these experiences to invest in my students.”
Taking on the responsibilities of The White House press secretary is a time consuming task.
“Serving the American public is the highest form of service that you can have.” Kraft said. “Anytime you can serve the people, serve the public, and serve the government it’s a great honor and feels like the highest calling you can have and I am happy to be here.”
Source list:
Nicole Kraft- Kraft.42@osu.edu
Dakota Rudesill- Rudesill.2@osu.edu