Hoda to Hokies: Find a path you love and a community within it
The path to the network television anchor desk didn’t come quickly or easily for Hoda Kotb '86, well-known former "Today" show anchor. She had more than 20 rejections from television stations throughout the country before landing her first job as a reporter in Greenville, Mississippi.
What she learned from that journey and subsequent steps in her life has carried her throughout her career.
“The road is littered with people who quit,” Kotb told students in Haymarket Theatre during a visit to the Blacksburg campus on Monday, April 27. “If you don’t quit, there is open road.”
Kotb made a half day trip to talk with students in the School of Communication and others in the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences about her new app venture, Joy 101. This semester, about 150 students in the college have been testing the wellness app that Kotb created just after she left "Today" in 2025. It offers users a host of content by health practitioners, featuring everything from breathwork and prayers to yoga techniques and sleep exercises.
The students have been using the app for free as part of the test group. Professors incorporated Joy 101 into class assignments and research projects, all with the goal of offering Kotb feedback as the company aims to tailor the app's content to college students.
Katherine Hall, advanced instructor of English who teaches first-year writing, made joy the theme of her class this semester. The class's final project is an argumentative research article about students’ own interpretations of joy.
“The app has become the textbook,” said Hall, explaining that students are assigned writing prompts and they discuss how they use the app each day. Hall, a long-time Kotb fan herself, attended the first Joy 101 retreat in Arizona in March.
The app’s breathwork exercises have been particularly helpful for stress relief, said Zeke Scherer, a student in Hall’s class who is majoring in national security and foreign affairs.
“The audio helps me to focus on the moment and to feel more relaxed,” said Scherer, whose research paper is centered on finding joy by immersion in diverse cultures.
A public relations class used the app as its client and as part of an assignment, pitched their work with Joy 101 as a news story to a Roanoke television station.
“It’s so cool. When I signed up for this class, I didn’t expect this at all,” said Amelia Ruvo, a public relations student as she walked into the meeting with Kotb on Monday. “It’s exciting to have a real client.”
During Monday’s session, students gave Kotb suggestions on ways to improve Joy 101. Their ideas included adding longer content sessions, a favorites tab, and more practitioners geared to a younger demographic.
More than anything, Kotb's trip back to her alma mater was heartening for many Hokies, especially those who are studying journalism and communications.
"Hoda has served as an inspiration for decades of School of Communication students," said John Tedesco, director of the school who moderated a panel with Kotb on Monday. "Her journey from Virginia Tech to distinguished, award-winning journalist shows students what is possible with their degree when they have passion, integrity, and a willingness to work hard to achieve their dreams."
Kotb started and ended her campus visit with some other meet and greets, including with College of Liberal Arts and Sciences leadership, university President Tim Sands, and head football coach James Franklin.
To be sure, Kotb’s presence and words of wisdom captivated students, who gave her a loud standing ovation and asked for selfies with her. Kotb shared with them lessons she learned while she was a Hokie (“I would have gone to more classes”), risks that she has taken in her career (“My advice is do it”), tips for job seekers (“People want to hire optimistic people”), and how she stays positive (“'Good things keep happening to me.' On your worse day, say it”).
“When you’re in your major, make sure it’s something you love to do,” Kotb told students. “Make sure you are pleasing yourself. Don't choose the money. Choose the people every time. If you choose the money, you will be dissatisfied."
Her message was especially poignant for Molly Hatfield, who is majoring in political science and public relations. Hatfield wants to work for a nonprofit once she graduates, and this summer, she is interning with Feed More in Richmond. After hearing Kotb speak, Hatfield said she realizes she is on the right path.
“I know in my heart it is what I want to do,” she said.
