Alumni visits are a special opportunity for students to see where life might take them, and to remind alumni how far they have come since graduation. 

Most recently, Principia College welcomed Kira Powell (C’06) back to campus. Powell shared her journey in the filmmaking space with students in classrooms and in Wanamaker Hall.  

After graduating from Principia College, Powell moved to Los Angeles and discovered her love for acting. She featured in many award-winning commercial campaigns and indie films, but after five years, Powell decided she wanted to share her own story. 

Powell started writing Caught in the Mix, a one-woman show reflecting on her childhood, growing up as half Black, half Ecuadorian in a majority White community. She was then inspired to apply to the American Film Institute (AFI) to further develop the one-woman show into her thesis film Best Eyes. 

“When I went [to AFI], I focused on directing and writing. I was able to write and develop my thesis short film, Best Eyes. Now I can use it as proof of concept for a feature,” said Powell while speaking in Wanamaker Hall.

As a student, Powell pursued different opportunities available to her through various classes and clubs. She was involved in Principia Internet Radio and the newscasting team, developing her experience in various aspects of media. “I felt there was a lot of diversity here, in terms of what I could learn. That helped me transition into life,” said Powell. 

While speaking during one of the classroom visits, Powell emphasized how Principia developed the importance of a value system. “The way we treat people and the way we want to be treated and respected . . . you can do that by being your authentic self.” 

Junior Alex Kibbe was moved by her career journey. “Seeing Kira pursue her passion was inspiring. It was a good reminder that your voice has value,” she said.

With her solid foundation, Powell has already earned high accolades with Best Eyes, including: 

• 57th NAACP Image Awards Nominee–Outstanding Short Form (Live Action) 

• 2025 AAFCA/LEJA Afro-Latino Short Film Competition–1st Place 

• 2024 DGA Student Film Awards–Jury Award for Best African American Student Filmmaker 

“To be your authentic self, you need to feel safe, and I always felt safe here at Principia,” Powell reflected. “It was a peaceful and nurturing environment for me, and I could be my full self and not be afraid. I’ve carried these things with me throughout my life.”