Assistant Director of Student Life, Northwestern University
Name: Jarvis Broom
Summers as a Camper: 2 summers
Summers as a Staff Member/Positions Held: 5 summers
- Junior Counselor
- Senior-in-Charge Counselor
- Nature Staff
- Archery Chief
- Tower/Wall Staff
Current Profession and Title: Assistant Director of Student Life, Northwestern University Kellogg School of Management
Jarvis' LinkedIn
Brief overview of professional focus:
I’ve worked in student life in higher education for close to 20 years and hold a master’s degree in Higher Education Administration and Policy from Northwestern. My focus is student development, and I think I am where I am today because of Camp Sea Gull. In my current role, I oversee eight student conferences a year at Northwestern, from professional to affinity. I work as a project manager on conferences held by graduate students in the School of Management. Some of the conferences I have coming up are dedicated to climate issues and business in India, in addition to the Black Management Associate Conference and Private Equity Venture Capital Conference. I’m also a key player supporting our annual charity auction ball, which raises over $100,000. Sea Gull reinforced my desire to give of myself through humanitarian efforts.
Advice for summer staff who have a real passion for youth development:
I highly recommend working in higher education administration, preferably with undergraduates. By working with undergraduates, you can really utilize the skills taught at Sea Gull. There are student development theories to study and apply there. Taking what they started at Camp and transitioning to be teachers, career counselors or guidance counselors is also an option that is so downplayed and so important. If you can give your 110% for ten weeks in the hot sun to kids who need you, you can do the same for a school year.
Camp origin story:
I was in an afterschool program in Charlotte, N.C., and the Ankers (Ray and Elieen) sponsored some of the kids to attend Camp Sea Gull. For a few years, I didn’t want to go because I was very afraid of the water. When I was 15, I finally muscled up the courage to go, but I couldn’t swim at all. I started off as a red band, but within those four weeks, I learned to swim and got my white band.
Is there a person or a situation that had a huge influence on you while you were at Camp? How and why did they/it impact you?
Ken Hyde was incredibly supportive in helping me learn to swim, making him one of the most impactful counselors I encountered as a camper. His influence was life-changing. He taught me how to work hard and the rewards of that work.
Bear Bashford taught me about being firm but fair, and that’s crucial to what I do now. Jimmy Mahan, Jupp Rice and David Dimenstien were very supportive of me as a first-year camper and then watched me go from camper to counselor. They always offered insight, and I’m very appreciative of their energy and influence.
How do the values or skills you learned at Camp show up in your everyday work and/or personal life?
Integrity was huge at Camp. I’m in the Air Force Reserve, and our core values are integrity first, service before self and excellence in all we do. Those values tie in so well with Camp Sea Gull and the Character Counts recognition. Integrity is so important to me, and I’m blessed to have those values carry through from Camp to all that I do.
Is there a goal toward which you are currently working?
I’m studying for the Air Force Officer Qualification Test to become a commissioned officer in the Air Force. I’m also switching my focus there to equal opportunity initiatives.
Favorite Camp food: Hot dogs and cabin cookouts
Favorite mess hall song: Desperado
Do you have a hidden talent? I teach martial arts on the side as a passion project. In 2008, I started the Chicago branch of the world-wide group, Grupo Capoeira Brasil. We’re growing, and I have a goal of establishing it as a nonprofit benefiting less-privileged kids from the north side of Chicago.
What three words best describe you? Caring, determined and resilient
