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 ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ 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 ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½'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!!!