The Panther

Issue date: 9/1/05 Section: Campus

Media Credit: Palmer Perez At the helm: Engineering professor and interim associate vice president Kelvin Kirby

Dr. Kelvin Kirby, an associate professor of engineering, has been appointed interim associate vice president for student affairs.

The Panther got a chance to interview Kirby, who answered a range of questions concerning his background, his goals, and advice for students.

Panther: Start off by giving us your official title.

Kirby: I am the interim associate vice president for student affairs.

Panther: Please talk about your academic background.

Kirby: I am an associate professor in the College of Engineering and I work within the department of electrical and computer engineering. I am a 1978 graduate of Prairie View A&M University in electrical engineering. My master's and doctorate degrees are from Texas A&M University.

Panther: Talk a little about your working background and experience.

Kirby: Upon graduating from Prairie View A&M University, I spent 13 1/2 years in the army. I worked with communications and automated data processing. I returned to Prairie View in 1992 where I started as an instructor in the Department of Electrical Engineering.

Panther: Describe your time in the military.

Kirby: I really had a chance to grow up in the military. I learned a lot about being a professional and a lot about responsibility.

Panther: What are your duties and goals for this year?

Kirby: My duties involve leadership and management responsibilities for student activities. I am also responsible for the Chapel, Office of Career Services and the Department of Disability Services. We hope to have a joint effort with the cheerleaders and intramurals. My goals while I am in this position are to restore and enhance quality services to all students in all areas.

Panther: Is there a satisfaction you get from working with many students?

Kirby: I really enjoy watching students grow and develop. When they arrive on campus, it may be their first time away from home; it's good to see them grow into their own being.

Panther: What advice do you give to students who are new to the campus life and are not sure of what they want to do?

Kirby: I think the first thing students have to do when they come to the campus is to learn about who they are. They need to understand the person that they are, away from home and away from the supervision of parents, because now they are 100 percent responsible for themselves.

Panther: What advice do you give to students who are finishing up with school and are about to enter the business world?

Kirby: Students should start preparing to enter the business world around their sophomore year. Students should look into opportunities to intern at professional places.

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