Josie Harms knew exactly what she wanted to do with her life. But she never thought her dream would actually happen.
It started her freshman year of high school when her dad recommended she check out some videos of Kayleigh McEnany, who at that time was the press secretary for President Donald Trump’s administration.
Harms watched the way McEnany handled the media with composure and peace. It sparked something within her.
“When I saw her in that role, and I learned more about what the press secretary role is, I was like, ‘That job seems like everything I would love,’” Harms said.
However, Harms knew there was no clear path to becoming a press secretary. She realized that there is no “special school” she could go to or degree she could acquire to make herself qualified.
“So it was just kind of always in the back of my head as something I’d be interested in, but then obviously that’s not something you can just pursue,” Harms said.
After high school, Harms decided to go to Bethel University and pursue a degree in business with a focus in finance. But she realized that she was far more interested in the communications aspect of business, which fit with her dream of being a press secretary.
Although she had pushed the idea to the back of her head in high school, deep down Harms still wanted to pursue a career as a press secretary. So, during her sophomore year of college, she cold-called South Dakota governor Kristi Noem’s office to see if they had internships. They did.
“So then I went through the whole interview process, and once again, it was a God thing, because I’m not even from South Dakota,” Harms said. “I’m from Minnesota. Normally they only have interns from South Dakota.”
Harms landed the internship during the summer of 2023 and even returned to intern for Noem again the following summer after her junior year.
“The people that did my interview, they’re amazing,” Harms said. “I work with them now every day, and they are just phenomenal people. And so yeah, God just opened that door.”
In the fall of 2024, she returned to Bethel to pursue her master’s degree after graduating a year early, and was looking forward to another season of cross country and track and field.
However, her plans were derailed over J-term.
While on vacation in Hawaii, Harms got a call. She answered the phone, unsure of who was calling or why.
The South Dakota governor’s office was on the other end. Noem had just been promoted to the United States Secretary of Homeland Security, which meant that Lieutenant Governor Larry Rhoden would be taking over as the governor of South Dakota. They wanted Harms to interview for the now-vacant position of his press secretary.
Harms’ sister, Symone Harms, remembered the moment she found out about the interview.
“She walked downstairs and she looked at me, and I’m like, ‘Did you get it?’ And she was like, ‘Yeah,’” Symone said. “And I just freaked out. It was just such a moment that you’re like, ‘Woah, that was so God.’”
A week and a half after Harms interviewed for the position, she found herself packing up all of her belongings and moving her life to South Dakota.
At 21, Harms achieved the dream she’d had since high school. However, she didn’t attribute the success to herself. Instead she said over and over again that she would be nowhere without God.
“It was such a God thing, like there’s nothing I could have done,” Harms said. “It was just, all of a sudden, God opened the door.”
Harms credited God with granting her this position, and she found that she needs Him every day of work.
“Even now, there’s a lot of parts of this job that are scary, and every day I need to ask God to be there with me,” Harms said. “The thing is that if He brings you into it, He will continue to walk with you alongside it.”
Feb. 6, 2025: South Dakota News Media Day. Legislators and officials met to discuss issues and news, and nearly every reporter in South Dakota was at the Capitol raring to ask questions and get answers.
It was also Harms’ first day as press secretary. Although it was hectic, Harms was grateful for the opportunity to meet nearly all of the reporters she would be working with in the future. As the new spokesperson for the governor, the connections she was making would serve her well. Her new job focused on interacting with the press, getting quotes from the governor, setting up press briefings and handling any communications like speeches and letters on behalf of Governor Rhoden.
She stood near the governor, meeting reporters, memorizing names and faces. Heart pounding, she was beginning the next chapter of her life and looking forward to what door God would open next for her.
