Spotlight on… Jarrell Anderson
Each of our faculty and staff bring a unique perspective and approach to helping Howard Community College (HCC) students succeed. From faculty, to advising, to support staff – all share a love of working with students and seeing them achieve their goals. To learn more about what motivates one staff member, we sat down with Jarrell Anderson, director of the Silas Craft Collegians Program, to chat about his background, what he loves about working at HCC, and discover some surprising facts!
Q: What brought you to HCC?
A: As a graduate student at the University of West Georgia, I was always attracted to the core mission and focus of two year colleges. Not only do they provide students with an excellent academic experience, they also provide these experiences at a much more cost efficient price tag. This is particularly important in an ever-changing unstable global economy.
Q: Tell us about who Silas Craft was and why the program was named after him?
A: Dr. Silas E. Craft Sr. was an education entrepreneur in the Howard County Public School System. Through his efforts to achieve education opportunity and equality for African American students, he led the charge to open Harriet Tubman High School, the first of its kind in Howard County specializing in educating students from disenfranchised African American communities. The Harriet Tubman building is now a historic site, housing the Howard County Board of Education and will soon be repurposed as a Civil Rights in Education Museum. Dr. Pamela Cornell named the program after Dr. Craft due to his rich legacy in the Howard County community, his unwavering faith in education access and opportunity for all, and his family’s continuous work within the Howard County community.
Q: What makes you passionate about your job?
A: I don’t have a job. I have a calling. That calling is to do what is in my power to provide every student I encounter the means to be successful and accomplish their goals.
Q: How do you promote class participation?
A: I encourage each student to bring their authentic selves to discussions and conversations. I allow students to speak from their social location so that we all may learn beyond the conversation.
Q: What is your favorite thing about HCC?
A: I love the family environment we have here. I also appreciate the fact that we have a president who truly recognizes the value in each individual’s work. There is no job more significant than the other.
Q: What would students be surprised to learn about you?
A: I love horror films, especially those that will keep me on edge from beginning to end! My favorite horror film would have to be James Wan and Leigh Wannell’s “Insidious” anthology.
Q: How do you hope students will remember you?
A: I believe students will remember me for my bright personality and how I take the time to speak with each one of them. Connection is important to me.
Learn more about the Silas Craft Program!