Today, we speak with Kaitlyn Gaffney, a junior writing arts major from Denville (Morris County), NJ, who lives on campus in the Whitney Center. Kaitlyn will share her #PROFspective with us on what it’s like to be a Rowan University student and how she’s getting the most out of her college experience as a Rowan Prof.
Name: Kaitlyn Gaffney
Major: Writing Arts
Minors & Concentrations: English & French Studies, & International Studies minor; Honors Concentration
Year: Junior
Hometown and County: Denville, NJ (Morris County)
On Campus Resident: Yes – Whitney Center
Academic clubs: Avant Literary Magazine; Assistant Editor & Honors Choir; Co-Conductor
Social clubs: Honors Feminist Group
Do you work on campus? Admissions Ambassador & Writing Tutor in the Rowan Writing Center
Why did you choose your major? I’ve always been a creative person, but my writing has consistently been the most important and personal work I’ve done. I can’t imagine a life without writing or even studying communication in general and how it affects all of our lives.
One reason why you chose Rowan? Rowan is one of the only universities in the country with a standalone Writing Arts major (as opposed to having a writing concentration/track under an English major)! The WA department has been an absolute privilege and joy to work with, and I’m doing exactly what I believe I’m meant to do. The focus on Writing rather than English literature has opened my eyes to a world of writing, communicating, and creating that I don’t think I could have participated in anywhere else!
My typical day as a Rowan student:
My days at Rowan usually start early and are super hectic (although I love all my involvements). Mondays and Wednesdays I start my day at 7:00 am and go (run) to my 8 am class, British Lit. After that, I work in the Admissions office, whether doing office work or giving a tour as an Ambassador. On Mondays, I have a class at 3:30 pm and then have work at 5 pm in the Rowan Writing Center in the library.
On Tuesdays and Thursdays, my days start for class at 9:30 am and go on through 3:30 pm with a break in the middle for work in Admissions. On these days, I have a Writing Arts class in the beautiful, brand-new Victoria building. On Tuesdays, I have meetings for Avant, Rowan’s literary magazine, for which I serve as Assistant Editor. On Wednesdays, I co-mentor Honors students through the BLAST (Bantivoglio Leadership and Service Training) program. On Thursdays, I have rehearsal for the Honors Choir, which I co-conduct.
Fridays and weekends are used for sleeping, watching period dramas on Netflix, and completing homework! My weeks are jam-packed, but I love being involved, so I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Like what you see? Register for a tour or open house.
Related stories:
Roommates Reflect: What It’s Really Like to Live With You, Whitney Center [Video]
Finding My Corner at Rowan with Avant
Rowan Campus Newspaper on Deadline [Video]
Story organized and photography by:
Vanessa Vause, junior public relations major and advertising minor
