Staff Spotlight: Kara Bollinger

Kara Bollinger joined UMKC a few months ago as the Graduate Writing Specialist, a Kara Bollingerposition supported by the School of Graduate Studies and the Writing Studio. Thus far, she enjoys the collaborative environment.

“The Graduate Writing Advisory Committee relies on the input of faculty, staff, and students from all over campus in making decisions,” she said. “I’m not sure I’ve ever worked in an environment that honors collaboration and multiple stakeholders as much as this position, and it gives me great hope and motivation.”

Kara’s duties include chairing meetings for the Graduate Writing Advisory Committee, organizing and leading workshops, working individually with students, and developing new writing initiatives for graduate students.

“This summer, our main focus is launching Graduate Writing Groups,” she said. “This pilot program will connect graduate students and provide a structure for them to provide support and feedback to one another.  We had enough student interest to start 9 groups this summer!”

After graduate school, Kara worked as the Assistant Director of a Writing Center in Moscow, Russia.

“On a professional level, I gained so much experience in program development in my field, working with students, administrative tasks, and collaborating with faculty, staff and students different from me,” she said. “On a personal level, it challenged me. … Moscow also let me explore, gain a lot of independence, live in a place totally unlike what I knew, and grow some beautiful friendships.”

As an undergraduate, Kara working in a writing center and enjoyed it. She said that experience is what led her to pursuing graduate work – she wanted to work in a writing center.

“I love the one-on-one work with students and the theory and pedagogy behind writing center work,” she said. “Graduate students are hard workers, highly invested in their research and writing and always looking to improve and learn. I like the idea of partnering with these students through the Writing Studio to aid them in their writing development and their development as scholars.”

Outside of work, Kara enjoys gardening and writing.

“I’m not quite sure how to make that a legitimate job yet,” she said. “Maybe I should talk to Michael Pollan.”

Earlier in life, Kara dreamt of becoming an astronaut, but says it now sounds terrifying. Then she wanted to be a teacher and writer.

“I started a novel about pioneers probably four or five times between third and sixth grade,” she said. “And I make time to write every few days, and some of it gets published. I still want to write a book.”

Kara said she chose UMKC because of the diversity and the urban setting.

“My other experiences were in college towns, where the university was somehow a big part of the town’s life but always felt separate. I wanted to see how a university integrates itself into and partners with the city,” she said. “I’ve been impressed with the interdisciplinary program at UMKC. Interdisciplinary work will be so important in solving the complex challenges that face our society, and I think UMKC is ahead of the curve in setting up systems and partnerships that allow that to happen.”

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