Welcome to the #DragonFamily : Kayla Jones

Kayla Jones is MSUM's new Academic Advisor and Tutor program coordinator. She will be working in the Academic Success Center advising students, academic coaching, and overseeing the tutoring center.

Q: If you could only have three apps on your smartphone, which would you pick?
A: Messaging, Pinterest, and the Weather app

Q: If you could choose a superpower, what would it be?
A: Invisibility, so I can go anywhere without anyone knowing.

Q: What's one thing that has surprised you about MSUM?
A: I really was pleasantly surprised by the collaboration efforts on campus. Every office is connected in some way, working on projects for students. Everyone works together here, and I like that.

Q: What's your go-to productivity trick? Or what energizes you at work?
A: I must have something else going on whenever I am working. I like listening to music and podcasts, so I usually blast music in the office. If I really need to lock into work usually, I listen to old seventies soul music. If I have something going on in the background, I am good.

Q: What unique experience or skills do you bring to MSUM?
A: My background is heavily in equity work; I've been working for the Human Rights Coalition for a couple of years. Things in that area really influence how we can reach students; that is an area where I can share some of my expertise and experience, especially since equity is a big thing on MSUM's campus.

Q: What's one thing people might not know about you?
A: I am really into the arts. I am reserved right away but once people get to know me, I am a drama queen. I love theatre and live performances. Anything with the arts I am present or participating in some way.

Q: What's one thing you're learning now, and why is it important?
A: I'm learning a lot about the systems that are built to ensure that we reach as many students as possible and give them an experience that acknowledges where they came from and where they are at. I enjoy learning about things that my office has done with data, assessments, and what students' needs are and how we can reach them.