Hello Oxford!! So we’re moving away from professors and classmates and to the administration!! This first person is someone you all know very well….*drumroll please* Dujon Curtis! Whether you need his help getting a single in a dorm or working something out when it comes to helping out at your Freshmen Seminar classes, Dujon is the man!!
HC: Can you introduce yourself a bit?
DC: I am originally from Bermuda. At the age of ten, I moved to the United States. I graduated from high school in 2007 from Newton County High school in Covington, GA. I continued my education, beginning at Brewton Parker College and then transferring to Armstrong Atlantic State University (AASU) as a junior, from where I graduated magna cum laude in 2011 with a Bachelors of Science in Psychology. I went on to pursue my Master’s degree in Adult Education and Community Leadership at Armstrong while also working as a Graduate Assistant for AASU Housing & Residence Life. I graduated with my M.Ed., maintaining a 4.0 GPA and accepted a job working as a Residence Life Coordinator (RLC) for Oxford College of Emory University as of July of 2013. After serving for two strong years as an RLC, I accepted a promotion to become the Assistant Director of Residential Education and Services. On June 4, 2016, I married the love of my life, Yasmin Cofer.
HC: How did you find yourself coming to Oxford College?
DC: While I was in Savannah about to finish up my master’s degree, I spoke with one of my friends who was already working in student affairs, and I explained how I really wanted to stay in Georgia but did not want to stay in Savannah. He sent me a few jobs that crossed his desk, and one of them was the RLC position at Oxford. This place was especially appealing to me, given that the location was close to my parents (who live in Conyers) and it was in the area that was very familiar to me. Once I applied, I received a phone interview with our RES Director Michele Hempfling who sold me on the diversity and uniqueness of Oxford. I was very drawn to the familial, close-knit atmosphere that she described Oxford as having and the overall makeup of the institution. As soon as I stepped foot on Oxford’s campus I fell in love with its beauty. I was able to meet with students and staff who already made me feel at home and with whom I already felt a connection. It was history from there!
HC: In October, you and the BSA held a vigil for all of the victims of police brutality? Is there anything specific that made that vigil so special for you?
DC: The Black Student Alliance (BSA) has a very special place in my heart as I have always supported and celebrated black identities and promoted knowledge of black culture and heritage. The vigil was something that was needed as we continue to educate our allies and others on the injustices and broken systems and deeply rooted racism in this country. What made the vigil so special to me was the diversity–all of the nonblack individuals who came out in support. This issue of police brutality is a collective issue, and it will require us all coming together to truly make change.
HC: Do you have 1 memory of your time at Oxford that is the most memorable?
DC: I have had so many memorable experiences at Oxford, but the one that sticks out the most was my first move-in day as a full-time professional (August of 2013). I was simply blown away by Oxford’s diversity as I watched all of the first year students pour in and check into their rooms. I was repeatedly told–from the phone interview right up until move-in–how diverse the student population was at Oxford, but many schools brag about their diversity. Experiencing it in real time was an awesome feeling. I walked through the halls, hearing three different languages being spoken from student to parent, seeing the looks of excitement on the students’ faces, while simultaneously seeing the proud looks of each parent. It was a great moment.
HC: What are the aspects of your job as Assistant Director of Residential Education and Services that you enjoy the most?
DC: Interacting with students and helping them problem-solve, learn, and grow. It is beyond rewarding when I have been able to help a student figure out a problem, or give them tools to help them succeed.
HC: Are there any exciting projects coming up that you’re involved in and can give us some info on?
DC: Yes, we have about 100 students graduating early, which would give us 100 open bed spaces on campus for the spring semester. We will be able to move all of our interim housing students into standard rooms and convert all of our interim spaces back to study rooms. We will also have space for students who want to move around and participate in the room change process in January. I will be sending more information out about this toward the end of the semester.
HC: Is there one place in the world where you would want to be right now?
DC: Honestly, wherever my wife is…. (going to have to send her this response!). I am not sure if you are asking about a vacation, but I have always wanted to visit Dubai. I had to do a project on them in undergrad and I fell in love with all of the attractions and interesting things that they have to offer.
HC: Christmas vs. Thanksgiving?
DC: Christmas.
HC: Coke vs. Pepsi?
DC: Coke.
HC: The Netflix Documentary The 13th or Nate Parker’s Birth of a Nation?
DC: Sadly, I have yet to see Birth of a Nation but The 13th was extremely impactful for me and very well put together.
HC: Road Trip vs. Airplane?
DC: Airplane.
HC: Have the ability to speak any language fluently at will or be the best at 1 thing of your choice?
DC: I think I would prefer to have the ability to speak any language fluently at will. I am a people person and I enjoy building relationships with others. This skill would give me the ability to communicate and hopefully impact more individuals. I do not have to be the best at something in order to make a real difference, so being the best is not something I strive for. However, putting my own best foot forward is the goal.