Central MA College Standout: Assumption College’s Katie Jankun
Monday, May 12, 2014
Katie Jankun, senior at Assumption College
A Conversation with Katie Jankun
SW: What has been your most memorable course?
KJ: The most memorable course I have taken through Assumption was my student teaching practicum. I was given the opportunity to be a student teacher at Doherty Memorial High School in Worcester. This is a memorable course for me because for a whole semester I was able to transition from the college campus to the “real world.” I was able to work with supportive history faculty and administrators at the school who were resources for me as I was teaching. This course also had professors from Assumption to observe me in the classroom. In doing so, it was bringing the comfort of the Assumption community to DMHS and it was a nice full circle moment to have professors that have taught me, observe me teaching high school students.
SW: What leadership roles have you taken on campus?
KJ: On campus I have been fortunate enough to be given the opportunity to acquire various leadership positions. During my sophomore year I was selected to be a Service Director in the Reach Out Center for the Nativity After-School Program. With this position I run the program by getting in contact with a point person at the site. Alongside the responsibility to organize the program, I recruited 15 volunteers to volunteer throughout the week. By becoming a Service Director, I was introduced to other leadership opportunities I could apply for. This led to my involvement in the Orientation Program; I became an Orientation Leader for the First Year Orientation and then went on to become the student chairperson for the Parent Orientation in 2013.
SW: Are you involved in the Worcester community?
KJ: In the Worcester County, I was involved in the community through service. Worcester is a community, which shaped me into who I am today. Being passionate about volunteering, I used the Assumption College Reach Out Center as my outlet to serve. For four years I have volunteered at the Nativity School of Worcester. During their evening study, after-school program, I would tutor a current student; together we would try to complete all of their nightly assignments in the designated study period. Aside from volunteering in Worcester, I broadened my community involvement to both Holden and Grafton. I have also been a soccer coach in Holden for four years thanks to TOPSoccer. This program pairs a child with special needs with a coach to work on the basics of soccer. Having been paired with the same player for four years, I have seen remarkable progress with his motor skills, as well as his social skills. Lastly, I was able to be involved in the Worcester County community through volunteer work with Community Harvest Project. Having gone back multiple times, throughout my four years, I was able to serve the community in a new way. I was not working at a food pantry or soup kitchen, but instead planting or picking the fresh fruits and vegetables that would be distributed at the Worcester Food Bank. These service experiences allowed me to learn more about the greater Worcester community.
SW: What is one thing you have learned about yourself since coming to Assumption?
KJ: One thing I have learned about myself while at Assumption is that I manage my time better when I have more responsibilities. Taking classes, being a student teacher, volunteering, and being a student leader on campus gave me structure throughout my day. Gradually taking on these responsibilities allowed me to structure my days. I was able to stay more organized knowing that I had a class until this time and then I had to volunteer here at a certain time. My grades actually improved with the more extracurriculars and leadership roles I took on. College taught me that I like to be kept busy.
SW: Where do you go when you leave campus?
KJ: When I go off campus, there is a good chance I will either be going to grab food at places like Nu Café or the Corner Grille, coffee at Boston Donuts or going to Target. However, aside from going out to different businesses in Worcester, I also enjoy walking around or going for a run around the neighborhoods and parks near Assumption.
SW: What is your favorite quote?
KJ: “One day she finally grasped that unexpected things were always going to happen in life. And with that, she realized the only control she had was how she chose to handle them. So, she made the decision to survive using courage, humor and grace…” – Kathy Kinnley
SW: What or who has had the greatest influence on you to date?
KJ: Family has been the greatest influence on my life. However, I am going to use family in a broad term. Yes, my immediate family gives me an abundance of love and support. My family helped mold me into the person I am today. However, over the past four years I have developed another type family. My roommates and friends at Assumption are another family who have been a great influence on me. They inspire me and challenge me to do my best. While my parents have given me the love, encouragement and character to succeed, my family at Assumption has continued to inspire me to grow as a person, spiritually, emotionally and intellectually.
SW: What would someone be surprised to learn about you?
KJ: Someone would be surprised to learn that I lived on a Native American Reservation for a week during the summer. Native American culture has been something I have always been intrigued by, but not closely studied in school. Working with the organization Re-Member on Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota was one of the most educational locations I have traveled to. Having the opportunity to immerse myself in their culture and history, taught me more about a part of America’s past that no text-book covers. Living in this environment allowed me to explore perspective and how vital that is to teach in the classroom. Moving forward with my teaching career, I hope to use this experience to educate students on the importance of perspective and how history still affects people today.
SW: Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
KJ: In five years, I see myself being happy. My plan is to find a job teaching history at a high school where I wake up in the morning, hop out of bed, excited to start the day. Within these five years, I also hope to have my Masters of Education in English as a Second Language. Although these plans are not definite, I see the next five years of my life as a learning experience which will continually teach, challenge, and inspire me in the future.
SW: If you could do just one thing, locally, nationally or globally to make a difference, what would it be?
KJ: Spread hope. I know that singlehandedly I cannot change the world, however, if my demeanor or actions can brighten someone’s attitude for a better tomorrow, even for a moment, that is the kind of difference I would want to make.
GoLocalWorcester presents Central MA College Standout, a weekly feature that profiles college and university students in Central MA. Join us every Tuesday for a look at the careers and lifestyles of today’s local college student. If you have suggestions for a profile, please email [email protected].
Susan D. Wagner is president of Susan Wagner PR, a boutique public relations firm invested in meeting client's goals with integrity and creativity.
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