Alumni Profile: Jarod Kirby
B.A. in Spanish with U.S.Latinx Studies minor, 2018
I am a first-year graduate student at the University of South Carolina (UofSC) studying Higher Education and Student Affairs. I am currently serving as the Assistant Residence Life Coordinator (ARLC) of Columbia Hall for University Housing and Residence Life. In addition to my assistantship as an ARLC, I am completing a practicum experience in Emergency Management and Crisis Response with University Housing's Business Operations department.
As an ARLC, my primary goal is facilitating the supervision, training, and evaluation of a team of Resident Mentors (RMs), as well as assisting in the facilitation of out of the classroom learning experiences for residential students here at UofSC. In my practicum experience, I am working alongside the university's Emergency Management Team to develop a university call center and to edit our Emergency Action Plan.
In the classroom, I spend a significant amount of time researching the connection between Language and Culture, Equity and Access, and LatCrit (Latinx Critical Race Theory). The amazing mentorship that I received at WCU sparked this interest. Out of the classroom, I spend most of my time exploring Columbia, SC, walking through Soda City, and participating in group activities with the first and second-year cohorts of the HESA program.
I would not be able to share this experience nor would I have developed such a passion for Student Affairs and Language and Culture if it were not for WCU's World Language Faculty and several others outside of the department. It was this extraordinary faculty that pushed me and helped cultivate a desire for growth (both personal and intellectual) within me. You all will have a special place in my heart, and your dedication to your students is greatly appreciated. "Thank you" can only begin to express my gratitude!
GO CATS!!!