ROSEMARIE RAPISARDA
Staff Writer
Inspirational, passionate, supportive, kind-hearted, enthusiastic, eccentric, funny, honest and fashionable.
These are some words from a few former and current students that they used to describe Rachel Kerr, an adjunct communications lecturer.
In early March, Kerr won the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Adjunct Teaching.
This award recognizes and honors expertise, dedication and commitment. As role models for the SUNY community, the award recipients personify professional excellence.
Kerr was nominated for this award by Roslin Smith, the chair of the communication department, and Dr. Angela McGowan-Kirsch, an associate communications professor.
Both Smith and McGowan explained the reasons why Kerr should receive the award.
“Throughout her encounters with students, Rachel uses superior communication and listening skills to help students gain a deeper understanding of difficult subjects,” McGowan said. “Her professional experiences and ability to maintain a friendly and approachable demeanor are likely why students thrive in her courses.”
“[Combining] a strong work ethic, her warmth, sense of humor and easygoing manner makes her a pleasure to work with,” Smith said.
Kerr had to put together a whole package including her resume and lots of writings in terms of philosophy.
“They sort of supported me in that. I feel grateful to be working with them,” Kerr said in regards to Smith and McGowan.
Kerr has been praised by some of her current and former students.
“She teaches not only course materials, but also life lessons. She shares her life experiences with students and is happy to talk about ‘the real world’ with them,” said Jackson Snaith, an alumnus and media management major.
Snaith recalled an experience he shared with Kerr during his time at Fredonia.
“One day it was pouring rain and I didn’t have an umbrella. She let me walk under hers with her, then gave me an extra one to use for the day when we got to her car,” said Snaith. “She told me to keep it, but I couldn’t, so I gave it back the following week.”
Dakota Richter, a junior biology major said, “My favorite thing about Professor Kerr is her ability to connect with any student that she has in her class, no matter what background or ethnicity or sexual orientation.
“I had a hard time freshman year and she was the only professor in my emails asking if I was okay. She truly does care about helping shape the future generations,” Richter added.
Thomas Hayes, a junior theater arts major said, “Professor Kerr has always been there for me in class and outside class. She truly cares for her students personally and she cares about their success in her class.
“She would often encourage me to step out of my comfort zone and would always congratulate me on my accomplishments,” Hayes added.
Cassidy Mullin, a senior music industry major said, “She takes time to have conversations with her students even if it’s about small things in their day.”
Audrey Erickson, a senior communication studies major shared that, “She enjoys making sure her students are learning without immense pressure. In my opinion, that makes learning much more enjoyable.”
Kerr was born in Buffalo, N.Y. but was raised in San Jose, Calif..
When she was young, she lived with her mom (a teacher), her dad (a philosophy professor) and her sisters, Jennifer and Lauren.
Following a childhood spent in theater, Kerr decided to pursue an education in it as a young adult.
She earned her Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in performance studies at San Francisco State University (SFSU).
After getting her MFA, she stepped foot into the world of being an educator.
“They immediately hired me at San Francisco State University to be a voice teacher. It was like you have to have teaching experience to get teaching experience, and I got lucky right out of the gate,” Kerr said.
She worked at SFSU for two years before moving to New York City to keep up with her passion for the arts, theater and being an educator.
While living in the Big Apple for 20 years, she worked as an actor, a director, a producer and a playwright. “I’m more on the writing side now, or the visual art,” she said.
On the side, she taught public speaking at LaGuardia Community College.
There, she uncovered that her teaching is something she is most proud of.
“I’ve grown through experiencing the diverse groups that I worked with. I am most proud of the roots I have in all of those communities,” Kerr said.
Kerr decided to spice things up in her life again by returning to her birthplace, Buffalo, where she’s resided since.
She came to Buffalo to pursue another master’s degree, a Master in Arts (MA) for performance studies at the University at Buffalo (UB).
“After living in San Francisco and New York City, I really like it here. I like how close nature is, so I think I am staying,” she said.
She currently lives with her 12-year-old tabby cat, Mariposa. “She’s kind of independent, but also completely needy … she’s sweet,” she said.
Once she graduated from UB, she began her teaching career at Fredonia.
Her passion for communications began the second she got her MA. “[The program] involved media studies and a deeper, more theoretical understanding of communication,” she said.
According to Kerr, teaching feeds her. “You’re constantly stimulated by new people and by new material and all of that kind of stuff. So I’ve always loved it.”
The best thing about being a professor to her is the students. “They always make one feel joyful, or funny or humorous,” she said.