Hoda Kotb, the well-known former anchor of Today and Virginia Tech graduate, had a rocky start to her career in television. Before she landed her first job as a reporter in Greenville, Mississippi, Kotb faced over 20 rejections from television stations across the country. But the struggles she faced early on in her career taught her invaluable lessons that she carries with her to this day.
During her visit to the Blacksburg campus on Monday, April 27, Kotb shared those lessons with students in the School of Communication and the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences. Her message to the students was clear: “The road is littered with people who quit. If you don’t quit, there is open road.”
Kotb made the half-day trip to speak about her new app venture, Joy 101. Launched after she left Today in 2025, the wellness app offers a variety of content, including breathwork, yoga techniques, sleep exercises, and prayers, all curated by health practitioners. Kotb has been working with Virginia Tech students to test the app, and about 150 students in the college have been using it for free as part of the pilot group.
The students have not only been testing the app but have also been incorporating it into class assignments and research projects. Professors have included Joy 101 in their coursework, with the goal of offering Kotb feedback on how to tailor the app’s content to better suit the needs of college students.
Katherine Hall, an advanced instructor of English who teaches first-year writing, made joy the central theme of her class this semester. She explained that Joy 101 had become the “textbook” for the class, with students using it to explore their own interpretations of joy. Hall, who has long been a fan of Kotb, attended the first Joy 101 retreat in Arizona earlier this year.
One of Hall’s students, Zeke Scherer, a national security and foreign affairs major, shared how the app’s breathwork exercises had helped him relieve stress. “The audio helps me focus on the moment and feel more relaxed,” Scherer said. His research paper for the class centers on finding joy through immersion in diverse cultures.
Meanwhile, students in a public relations class had the chance to pitch Joy 101 as a client, using the app as part of an assignment to create a news story for a local television station in Roanoke.
Amelia Ruvo, a public relations student, expressed her excitement at working with a real-life client. “It’s so cool. When I signed up for this class, I didn’t expect this at all,” she said as she walked into her meeting with Kotb.
Throughout her session with students, Kotb listened to suggestions for improving the app. Students proposed adding longer content sessions, a favorites tab, and more practitioners who appeal to a younger demographic. These insights will help Kotb continue to refine Joy 101, making it even more relevant to college-aged users.
Kotb’s trip back to Virginia Tech was especially meaningful for many Hokies, particularly those in the journalism and communications fields. “Hoda has served as an inspiration for decades of School of Communication students,” said John Tedesco, director of the school, who moderated a panel discussion with Kotb. “Her journey from Virginia Tech to becoming a 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’s visit included several meet-and-greets, including time spent with leadership from the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, university President Tim Sands, and head football coach James Franklin. It was clear that Kotb’s presence had a significant impact on the students, who gave her a standing ovation and excitedly asked for selfies.
When Kotb shared lessons from her time at Virginia Tech, she humorously admitted, “I would have gone to more classes.” She also spoke candidly about the risks she took in her career, offering advice for job seekers. “People want to hire optimistic people,” Kotb said. Her own mantra for staying positive in difficult moments is simple: “Good things keep happening to me.” She encouraged the students to repeat this phrase on their hardest days.
For Kotb, the most important lesson was to find a path that aligns with your passion. “When you’re in your major, make sure it’s something you love to do,” she told the 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 words particularly resonated with Molly Hatfield, a political science and public relations major who plans to work for a nonprofit organization after graduation. “I know in my heart it is what I want to do,” Hatfield said after hearing Kotb speak. She will be interning with Feed More in Richmond this summer, and Kotb’s message confirmed that she’s on the right path.
Kotb’s visit to her alma mater wasn’t just a moment of inspiration for students but also an opportunity for them to see the power of passion, persistence, and community. Kotb’s ability to remain true to herself and take risks in her career has made her an enduring figure of success and positivity for generations of Hokies.
