Brandywine Student Spotlight: Jared McGill

Year: Fourth

Major: Communications

Involvement: Member, Black Student Union; member, Council for Latino and African American Student Success (CLAASS); member, Networking Club; student-worker, mail room

Brandywine: What was your deciding factor in attending Penn State Brandywine?

McGill: My deciding factor coming to Brandywine was how close it is to home. I also already had a family member who went here, too. I wanted a mix of being close to my family while still being able to be independent and on my own, in a sense.

Brandywine: How did you choose your major?

McGill: When I started here, I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do. I knew I wanted to do something in the communications field, but I wasn’t sure what to specialize in. At first, I wanted to study film and video production, but after taking those classes, I knew it wasn’t for me. Then, I took a broadcast journalism class, and I realized that wasn’t for me either. It wasn’t until I took a public relations class with Karen Theveny (assistant teaching professor of communications) that I realized what I wanted to do.

Brandywine: What challenges have you faced at Brandywine, if any?

McGill: Being a student through the pandemic was very hard. It was something no one has ever gone through, not even our professors. None of us knew how online school really worked. I feel like with Brandywine, the campus is very community-based, and everyone is here if you need help. Someone is always going to be here to support you. I always felt so supported during that time by my adviser, my peers and my professors. Also, I’m a first-generation college student, so being the first out of my siblings to go to college is a challenge.

Brandywine: What has been your greatest accomplishment at Brandywine so far?

McGill: I’d say my greatest accomplishment is still being enrolled in college. ... I’m still here pushing through, and I’m almost at the finish line to graduate.

Brandywine: What made you interested in joining CLAASS? What do you enjoy most about it?

McGill: At the beginning of my college journey, I would find myself being the only person of color in class sometimes, and I felt that it could be a little intimidating. When I heard an organization was created on campus where I could be seen and heard and be around people like me, I wanted to join. I really enjoy being able to hear different people’s perspectives and listen to their stories because there are so many more factors about someone than meets the eye.

Brandywine: With your involvement at Brandywine, how has your time on campus been impacted?

McGill: My job in the mail room is very flexible, so in between classes, I’m able to go to work, do homework and attend campus events. Now that I’m a fourth-year student, I find myself having a lot more free time to get work done, go to club meetings and hang out with friends.

Brandywine: What’s one piece of advice you would give to students who are looking to get involved?

McGill: Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there and look for what you need. I feel like when people are placed in a new environment, they’re scared to ask for help because they fear rejection. Everyone here at Brandywine is here to help you.

Brandywine: What’s the best memory you had at Brandywine so far?

McGill: I have a lot of good memories here, but I think the best one was my time as a resident assistant (RA) last year. I know my fellow RAs were there for me; they were my safe place because I’d never been away from home before. I didn’t have any friends who came here with me. The RAs were a big support system for me in the beginning. I also really enjoyed being there for my residents.

Brandywine: What has been the most valuable lesson you’ve learned at Brandywine?

McGill: I would say the most valuable lesson I’ve learned at Brandywine is to not let other people’s perceptions of you shape who you are.