Moorpark College’s Kathryn Adams demonstrates her life mission every day in her ongoing work as MC Year of Service co-chair.
Adams explained that she “crazily volunteered” for the job because the concept of service is something that she tries to integrate into her own life daily.
“I truly believe in service and in approaching life in a way that we exist to be of service to others,” said Adams.
When the Year of Service theme for MC was chosen this year, Adams jumped onboard alongside co-chair John Gray, but she admits that she had her work cut out for her. She had a theme to work with, but it was up to the two co-chairs to decide how to integrate it into a series of activities and outlets of learning that would get students involved.
According to Adams, her method of approaching this challenge was to educate the faculty so that they can continually encourage their students to be of service.
Instead of viewing this commitment as a job, Adams considered it an outlet to share her own beliefs about humanity by exposing others by example.
“We wanted to show students how service is part of the human species,” said Adams. “As humans, we are inclined to help those in need.”
Adams worked alongside John Gray as co-chair of Year of Service. She explained that as a team, their game-plan was in constant evolution.
“We get along really well,” said Adams. “Neither of us are really ‘structured’ people.”
Gray agreed that as co-chairs, the two worked well as a team.
“Working with Kathryn Adams was very fulfilling and it was very interesting how much we held in common. Kathryn is a very busy, energetic and seemingly indefatigable colleague and she was always able to make time to get things done,” said Gray. “I cannot imagine a more collegial relationship and will always have the greatest respect for her professionalism and her spirit.”
Adams explained that the preparation behind the Year of Service events was the most demanding responsibility.
“I’ve been at all but one event, but it’s the other work that takes the time–proofing publicity, graphics work, copyediting and writing press releases,” said the co-chair.
This time-consuming commitment fell on top of her primary roles that she has held at Moorpark College for the last four years. In the Writing Center she teaches a course in tutoring, supervises the tutors’ progress and also works as an English professor.
So after four years of generosity at Moorpark College, what’s next on Adams’ agenda?
“If I were to have another job, it would be with the UN or UNESCO,” said Adams. “Organizations that I support are the type that go in and ask the people, ‘what do you want and how can we help you get that?'”
