Name: Katie McFarland ’16
Hometown: Born in San Antonio, Texas, but I’m an Air Force brat, so I moved a lot.
Education: Completing my M.A. in communications at the College in December 2019. I earned a B.P.S. here in 2016.
Job title: Administrative Coordinator to the VP of Facilities Management
How long have you worked at the College? One year
What are your job responsibilities? Managing the VP’s schedule and helping manage communications for the department, including the new Facilities Management website.
What do you like most about your job? I enjoy working on the communications for the department. We are working to change the culture and old perceptions, and it’s exciting to be a part of that.
What question do you get asked most in your job and what’s your typical answer? “Is John available for a meeting??” My usual response is, “Absolutely not.” It makes people pause for a second because half the time they haven’t even given me a day or time. Once they realize I’m kidding, we use calendars, star charts and a crystal ball to find available meeting times.
What’s your favorite location on campus and why? I love being in the library. I have a deep love of learning and will forever be pushing myself to learn something new. I enjoy seeing all the students in there studying and walking among the racks of books.
What are your hobbies? I love to watch movies, especially any Marvel movie. I hope to get a kayak soon and start spending more time outdoors. And of course, school work.
What personal and/or professional accomplishment are you most proud of? I have completed my bachelor’s and have nearly completed my master’s degrees while being a single mom to three teenagers and working full time – all with honors so far!
Name a creative work (book, movie, performance, etc.) you enjoyed recently and why? I went to see The Book of Mormon at the North Charleston Performing Arts Center a couple years ago, and I knew nothing about it going into it. I thoroughly enjoyed the show and laughed my butt off.
What was your favorite TV show growing up? I was a huge fan of Scooby-Doo growing up. The show helped me develop an understanding of the concept of time. It was a half-hour show, and if we were going somewhere that would take an hour, my mom would tell me it would take two Scooby-Doos to get there. It gave me a frame of reference. Plus, he was just plain cool.
What’s next on your bucket list? I plan to begin work on a third degree and hopefully soon take a trip to Scotland. I have never left the U.S., and I’ve always wanted to visit.
What is something your campus colleagues would be surprised to know about you? I spent a few years in the Navy as a nuclear electrician’s mate and qualified to operate the electric plant of a naval nuclear submarine.
What was your first job? I was a cashier for a burger place in the mall food court.
What’s your favorite Lowcountry restaurant? Any place with fresh seafood or wings.
Describe your perfect day: I would wake up without an alarm, make a cup of coffee and sit on the porch of my parent’s place out West in Utah. Then I’d do some kayaking and hiking, finishing the day off grilling and spending time with those I love.
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