By Liam Reilly
@liampreilly852
Calvin Hill has served as the Vice President for Inclusion and Community Engagement since stepping onto Alden Street in 2015. He is tasked with promoting diversity and inclusion on the campus, and connecting and promoting the College’s resources to area communities.
The Student sat down with Hill to get a better understanding of why he came to Springfield, the importance of his job and what his favorite Black History Month event is on campus.
The Student: Why did you choose Springfield College?
Hill: I got Springfield College in 2015, and I immediately fell in love with the opportunity and the mission.The mission, the way that I focus on it, is the component about service to others. When I think about the other. I talk all the time about the fact that the other may not look like you, may not work out the same way you do, may not have the same partner that you do, may not come from the same region or place as you do. We’ve gotta learn how to serve because leadership is about serving people that are different from ourselves. The mission first and foremost caused me to get excited from a professional standpoint. When you’re in a position like mine, that’s a very niche role and the opportunity to move beyond. This position not only focuses on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion but it also encompasses AmeriCorps and encompasses our YMCA programs office, as well as the community engagement piece. I got excited about the fact from a personal perspective that I would be able to expand my role from being similarly focused to being a little bit larger.
The Student: What is your favorite spot on campus?
Hill: I would say that my favorite spot on campus is the John Wilson Lounge. But it is a space where our students can come in, have a sense of community, have a sense of connection and let their hair down.Anytime I walk in there, there are students laughing, they’re engaged, they’re doing homework – it’s just a nice family environment.
The Student: What makes you smile without fail?
Hill: Our students. I chose this career because of students here at Springfield College. Our students are kind, they’re just genuine. I love the fact that they open the doors for you. They say hello – it tells me that I chose correctly in terms of looking at a place that I was gonna spend.
The Student: How important is it bringing awareness to these students and the community in general?
Hill: That’s what I’m here for, right? I speak constantly about the reason behind my role, and that’s talking about diversity, equity, and inclusion. Talking about sense of belonging, talking about overcoming our biases and the reason that we do that is because when we leave here, you’re gonna leave Springfield College, which is this nice bubble, and you’re going to go out into the world of work and you’re gonna come into contact with a range of people that are diverse. If we have not taught you to engage and to interact with people, you’re not gonna be successful. Why not take the opportunity when you’re on campus to speak to someone that’s different from yourself, from a range of diverse perspectives? That’s what I come to work every single day and get excited about.
The Student: Of all the Black History Month events that are going on this campus, which one’s your favorite and why?
Hill: I’m gonna say two things. One is that this year there’s a lot of Black History month events. I’m going to be doing one on Feb. 13 where I speak about a trip to Ghana that I took. That’s by far my favorite one because I’m gonna get a chance to talk about that trip. I’m excited to share that story, and excited about the opportunity to encourage other people to go on a journey with me. I would say that above and beyond that, and it doesn’t necessarily always fall in February of Black History Month, but our Martin Luther King Lecture. I have partnered with Marty Dobrow on that eight or so years ago. This is gonna be the 10th anniversary of the 10th lecture.That is one of my favorite events on campus.
The Student: How do you wanna be remembered and why?
Hill: I hope that when my time at Springfield College is done, people remember me as a collaborator, as someone that was passionate, as someone that attended to be a change agent. I hope people will remember me as being someone that was friendly, and was willing to live the college mission of leadership and service to others.
Photo courtesy of Springfield College