Meet new faculty member Taylor Kearns, journalism
Posted on: August 20, 2014; Updated on: August 20, 2014
By Liz McCarthy, lwhite@mailbox.sc.edu, 803-777-2848
Name: Taylor Kearns
Current job: Instructor, College of Mass Communications and Information Studies
Hometown: Hartsville, S.C.
Degrees: Bachelor's in journalism, UofSC, 2006
Why did you choose Carolina? As an undergrad, I chose Carolina because of its electronic journalism curriculum. When my old professors asked me to come lend a hand as an instructor, I jumped at the chance.
What are you most looking forward to this year? Meeting a new generation of Gamecocks and getting re-acquainted with the Coliseum — my favorite cave.
How did you become interested in your work? I was a reporter at WIS-TV here in Columbia for seven years before deciding to give teaching a shot. The daily grind was beginning to grind a little too hard.
What made you decide to go into academia? I had fond memories of my time at UofSC as an undergrad and wanted to see if I could give students a similar experience. And I really wanted to sew elbow patches to all of my sport coats.
What's a talent you have or something that you've done that people might find surprising? I just got done performing in a play at Trustus Theater. It was my first time on stage in 15 years. Jasper magazine called me a "goofy delight," so that's something. Right?
What do you hope to accomplish over the next five years? I'd like to send more than a few students into the job market and gain a better understanding of what I'd like to do in five years. Perhaps my students will inspire me to re-enter the field.
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