Creative writing senior Karissa Kyker applies what she’s learned at the School of Writing, Literature, and Film to her internship at OSU Press and social media work
Karissa Kyker
By Colin Bowyer, Communications Manager - May 21, 2025
A Corvallis-native, Karissa Kyker grew up in a family that had attended Oregon State for generations. Writing for the Spring 2025 issue of PRISM Magazine, OSU’s premier art and literary journal, Kyker weaves together the memories of her parents both living in Weatherford Hall and studying at OSU with her own writing journey, and finding love on campus. The throughline running through the Kyker family story is OSU’s Trysting Tree, a large gray poplar tree that once stood near Community Hall and Lover’s Lane.
“Even after our family moved away,” Kyker writes, “my connection to Corvallis lived on through the love my parents planted there. Soon, an offshoot of their roots, a love of my own, grew from a boy who drew me back home with a perfect smile and gentle spirit. That’s how I found myself at home under the shadow of Weatherford Hall.”
Kyker’s road to OSU wasn’t easy or a straight line, per se, but still, she found her place at the School of Writing, Literature, and Film (SWLF).
After spending most of her childhood in Corvallis, Kyker’s family moved to San Mateo, California. Finishing her high school years in the Bay Area exposed Kyker to a diversity of perspectives and experiences that she wouldn’t have otherwise known in Corvallis. Despite living in the heart of competitive Silicon Valley, Kyker developed a love for writing and literature, all while working at a local bakery and potentially even considering entering the culinary field after graduating high school.
During her junior year, Kyker began experiencing a range of health symptoms that would sideline her idea of entering culinary school. A year later, Kyker was diagnosed with Lupus, an autoimmune disease. Kyker spent most of her junior year and entire senior year continuing to take classes from home while struggling to receive an accurate diagnosis.
“It was a very difficult time,” explained Kyker. “Doctors didn’t know what was going on and my teachers were sending me home because I looked ‘sickly.’ Initially, I was told my symptoms might be due to depression or that I was just overworked. Some specialists did take me seriously and genuinely wished they knew how to help, but a few brushed me off.”
Kyker’s time at home in school transitioned into the start of the COVID-19 stay-at-home orders in early 2020. As she began considering colleges for fall 2021, it was beginning to look like at least the initial months were going to be entirely virtual as well, due to a combination of the ongoing pandemic, but also Kyker’s uneasiness of leaving home.
“What was a time of change and stress for others was actually a time of stability for me,” explained Kyker. “I was already used to doing classes online, and I got to have the support and company of my family at home more than ever before. While I was anxious about COVID because of how it could be detrimental to my health, I also felt anxious at the same time about the working-from-home period ending, because I wouldn't be with my parents, sister, and brothers all the time anymore. It was a time of rest and community for me, the opposite of what it was for most people.”
Kyker was hoping to enter into an English program, but hadn’t gotten to a point in her Lupus recovery where she could attend in person. George Fox University in Newberg, Oregon, had a strong online English program that would allow Kyker to continue to stay home during her freshman year, then transition to on campus for her sophomore year.
Kyker initially enjoyed George Fox, but during her sophomore year, wanting to explore more writing than literature, she felt constrained by the English and literature-review curriculum. She saw the School of Writing, Literature, and Film had just begun offering a creative writing program, and with many friends and family still in Corvallis, transferring to OSU was an easy choice.
“It was a smooth jump into OSU,” said Kyker. “I felt right away that my writing was developing more than it ever had. I also was able to take writing classes in a variety of fields, including writing for public relations, marketing, and film.”
Kyker also received the Goldstein Journalism Scholarship, which provides tuition support for SWLF students who contribute to journalism excellence while at OSU.
During her senior year, Kyker became a Griffis Publishing Intern at OSU Press, the university’s book publishing unit. While an intern, Kyker received a hands-on introduction to scholarly book publishing by reviewing proposals, proofreading drafts, and preparing manuscripts for production.
“Working at OSU Press has been very fulfilling,” said Kyker. “I have especially loved the variety of books and topics I get to work with. The small staff team there has also allowed me to build great relationships with them and get up close and personal with some of their work. It really is a unique and amazing experience that students here are offered and I'm still mind blown that I've gotten this opportunity over the past year! ”
Kyker is open to all opportunities, but is leaning towards working in marketing and social media. For the past year, Kyker has been helping Lyle Hatch, a.k.a. Boring Old Guy, with increasing his social media presence. Despite having over one million subscribers on YouTube, the Pacific Northwest outdoor enthusiast relies on Kyker to help promote his videos hiking, cooking, maintaining his van, and more.
“I reached out to Lyle, because I liked his videos touring around Oregon,” said Kyker “It’s been such a valuable experience working with him as he brings the outdoors to viewers.”
For now, Kyker is wrapping up her final term at OSU and plans to cherish this summer as a SWLF graduate, in addition to being a newlywed, marrying her OSU sweetheart in March.