Matthew Cowin
Staff Writer
Mr. Carter Brown is a second-year Assistant Director of Student Involvement at The University of The South. He received a Bachelor’s in Political Science, Educational Policy Analysis from Clemson University in 2021. From there, he served as an academic associate at Cristo Rey High School in New York City before returning to his home state of Virginia to receive a M.Ed in Higher Education Administration at the University of Virginia in 2023. Brown thoroughly recounts his journey to Sewanee and the influences his life experiences have had on his pursuit of educational administration.
Brown’s interest in education began in his high school days at Georgetown Preparatory School in Maryland. “It was specifically the support from high school faculty and students,” Brown said. An early taste of educational community development would continue in his college years. “I originally went to Hampden Sydney for Lacrosse. I loved lacrosse, but was looking for a different experience.” Brown transferred to Clemson University in South Carolina, where he was a part of a faculty-led study abroad Political Science program in Belgrade, Serbia. According to Brown, “The slower pace and big school experience without the pressure of lacrosse was easier for me.” The study of political science and the role of faculty in his study-abroad experience increased his exposure to educational administration.
After college, Brown found a job-posting on his high school alumni page to work for a private Catholic high school in Harlem, New York. “I subbed for multiple classes, accessed lesson plans, had the privilege of being assistant varsity soccer and basketball coach, ran the student-library, and imputed data in academic roles.” In many ways, Brown’s first job followed the experiences of his faculty role models in high school and college in supporting students across a broad spectrum of initiatives. Brown continued to set his sights on higher horizons in educational administration, landing a Graduate Assistant position at the McIntire School of Commerce at the University of Virginia. “I ran graduate student council elections, planned events, purchased requests, facilitated faculty-staff email, assisted with undergraduate student council along with colleague Katie Smith, organized materials for graduation and registration among other tasks,” he says. Brown broadened exposure to high school and college students and furthered his own work experience. Returning to Virginia was warming after his tour along the eastern United States: “Charlottesville was a bit like coming back home…I was able to visit my parents and uncle.” Brown largely credits UVA in preparing him for his next step. “It was a specific line of work that connected with my Sewanee job.”
Brown’s own small-school experience and southern exposure were influential in his next job search. “I targeted search at a small liberal arts college, saw Sewanee, applied for, and accepted a position.” The mountain became a comfortable place for him to continue his specific and arduous line of work that he did in Virginia. “My place, job, and time in life made it a desirable place to be here. I meet with students and faculty, continue to build relationships and help students the best I can.. In my role-advised SGA, I help out with Student Organizations and am responsible for approving and running the Student Org. process.” For Brown, the students and their journey are the most important part of the job. “To help students feel connected to this place and remain in the student experience role is a privilege to me; I’ve always wanted to work at a school that values that.”
When asked about advice for college students, Brown notes the challenge for freshmen in adjusting to college: “It takes time to acclimate to college, and many are away from home for the first time. I encourage students to stay on campus, allow time for adjustment, and seek involvement. I’m always willing and happy to have a conversation about student involvement.”
From surveying his own educational experience to endlessly providing for students like himself, Brown is striving in his career in his return to the South.