Jayel Kirby
Pronouns:
She/her/hers
Degree(s) earned:
Associate's degree in general studies with an emphasis in communication
Years at SLCC:
5
Current title/position:
Assistive Technology and Furniture Specialist
Department:
Disability Resource Center (DRC)
Previous jobs/titles at SLCC:
Testing Services Proctor and Academic Advising Front Desk
What is a typical day or week like for you?
For me, it’s all about balance. Working part-time for the DRC provides me the opportunity to balance both work and home life.
As a part of the Assistive Technology team, most of my time is spent zone editing textbooks; working with screen reading software and telling it which order to read sections on each page. I also distribute smartpens and teach students how to use them. Another responsibility is to attend classes with students who are blind or have low vision as a reader and scribe.
As a furniture specialist, I run reports to determine which students have specific furniture accommodations — such as needing an ADA adjustable chair with arms, for example. Then I work with the facilities department to ensure that those students have the furniture they need in their classrooms.
What are the most challenging aspects of your job?
Keeping up with the latest technology isn’t something that comes naturally for me personally or for my age demographic. But I try to learn all I can to improve access across the college.
What rewards come with your job?
As a student at SLCC for four years, I came to appreciate the institution’s environment. Once I graduated, I knew I wanted to continue to be a part of that community. I moved around a bit until I found my niche, and I’m happy to say that I think I’ve found it at the DRC. I belong to a supportive team. I work for appreciative, caring leaders and enjoy a schedule that provides a perfect work/home balance. Plus, zone editing appeals to my type-A personality. Of course, helping students access educational opportunities is the icing on the cake.
Who or what inspires you at work or in life and why?
When our youngest child was finishing high school, I decided to use my husband’s GI Bill to get a degree. I worried that it had been too long since I’d been in school and that I was too old to fit in. My husband believed in me, encouraged me to try and assured me that I would fit in with the diverse student body at SLCC. He was right. He supported me through my education and has provided encouragement as I’ve searched for a position that was a good fit for me.
Tell us something about yourself from outside of your SLCC life.
Although I’m not in the military myself, I train for and take the Army Physical Fitness Test annually. It helps me stay fit.
Family:
Michael and I just recently celebrated our thirty-fifth wedding anniversary. Together, we have persevered through his 12 years of active duty in the Marine Corps, 21 years in the Army National Guard and 6 overseas deployments. We have three adult children who reside in various places within the autism spectrum, and we are ecstatically expecting our third grandchild in July.
Hobbies/interests:
Baking, hiking, reading, writing, acting, teaching, public speaking, watching movies, fishing lakes in my kayak, doing jigsaw puzzles and riding my motorcycle.
Awards/accomplishments:
- In high school, I received the Outstanding Senior Award in Future Business Leaders of America for my editorial work on the yearbook.
- I wrote an article that was published in SLCC Magazine.
- I graduated from SLCC in 2017 with high honors.
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