This week, our UC Campus celebrity is Jacob Harnist. From his meaningful campus involvements to his “big hair, bigger ideas”, Harnist is one of a kind. He’s doing big things here at UC and keeping busy but we were lucky enough to get to catch up with him.
Name: Jacob Harnist
Year in School: 2nd year
Major(s)– Philosophy and Political Science
Campus Involvements: Racial Awareness Program (RAPP), The Transitions and Access Program and Student Government
Fun Fact: I cut off a large chunk of my thumb working in a deli and it grew back, but I can’t feel any of it.
HC: Okay so you’re involved in a couple organizations on campus and that’s awesome. Some people may not know about RAPP or the Transitions and Access Program so could you tell me a little bit about those?
JH: RAPP is a 9-month intensive program where students learn about different forms of oppression and social justice through experiential learning. Though it is called the Racial Awareness Program it explores multiple forms of oppression including, but not limited to, issues surrounding race, gender, and sexuality, and most importantly how they all intersect, Students learn through things like guided activities and group discussions, this allows for a more impactful experience because it allows for students to learn from one another and each other’s collective experiences instead of just feeding them information. Most importantly for me though RAPP forms lasting and meaningful friendships between students that not only gives you life long friends, but also aids your learning process by grounding all of the experiences and giving them weight as just not another story. I liked the program so much that I decided to come back as a peer-leader this year. I get to help facilitate activities and continue my learning experience and friendships.
HC: That’s awesome it sounds like the program is something that gives you experiences and friendships that you’ll remember forever. What about the Transitions and Access Program?
JH: The Transition and Access Program (or TAP) is a program that gives a meaningful and career oriented college experience to special needs students. TAP mentors get to have weekly hangouts with a student in the program and form a pretty good friendship with them, I’m fortunate enough to get mentor a student named Obi. Every week we hangout and I help him with homework or just sit around and kick it with him. Obi’s a really wise guy and I honestly believe he’s taught me a lot more than I could ever teach him so I don’t really know who’s mentoring who.
HC: Well I’m sure you both teach each other a lot, sounds like you definitely keep busy, especially since you were just elected Senator-at-large for the coming school year, congrats! What is one major thing you hope to accomplish in this position?
JH: One major thing I want to accomplish is better connecting students. Connecting student organizations, students and faculty, and most importantly connecting students to students. There is a lack of communication between all facets of students and if we are to facilitate a truly great and inclusive college experience this is something we have to fix. This goes for not only relationships between students but also relationships between students and faculty. Relationships with faculty are the key for a worthwhile college experience. They have all been in your shoes and have wisdom that greatly exceeds any student. Whether it’s a professor, adviser, or any other faculty member they contain a plethora of information and can be your greatest mentor.
HC: You’re right! The fact that you are trying to make a change at UC is admirable. Along the lines of that, what is one piece of advice you would give to students who want to make a difference in college?
JH: Never be afraid to ask for help. The best way to accomplish a goal is to take it on with a group. Having people to bounce ideas between and to from a plan of how to execute and achieve our common goal is always the most beneficial thing for me. It’s impossible to know everything but for every person you have aiding you your collective brain gets a little bit bigger and makes that goal that much more achievable.