Graduate spotlight: Connor Hummel

Name: Connor Hummel

Education at SOU: Honors College with a major in Sociology/Anthropology (SOAN) and a minor in Criminology and Criminal Justice (CCJ).

Currently, I am working for Jackson County Community Justice (JCCJ), where I’ve worked as a coordinator at the Transitional Center for a little over two years between my nearly full year as extra help (full floor duties with limited systems access at 20-30 hours a week) and a full year and change as full time (full access to county systems, wider scope of tasks/responsibilities). My studies in both SOAN and CCJ have helped prepare me for this role by giving me a lens of critical insight into people’s general behavioral patterns, environmental impacts on these patterns, an understanding of sociological constructs attached to differing walks of life, and a drive to work with people to benefit them and better their positions. Additionally, the rigor and integrity intrinsic to the fields of my degrees have been a major boon to my work ethic and ability to navigate the professional world in a government body.

Within the next five to ten years, I aim to continue pursuing this career path. In particular I have my sights set on increasing my knowledge and ability to function as a coordinator first for at least half a year more before beginning to work my way towards a case management position in either a Community Justice Officer position attached to my current program under JCCJ, or looking at a role attached to something like the City of Medford’s livability team. Beyond that, I hope to eventually be able to garner enough experience and knowledge of local patterns, resources, and social pitfalls to be able to apply my knowledge in the role of a Parole Officer for JCCJ so that I can help clients with access to resources, effective case planning, and walk of life adjustments beyond any single program.

Much like my degree shaped my outward trajectory and increased my capacity to function ethically and accurately in my field, my time with UCAM also increased my ability to focus myself internally. The first major way this was done was by helping me get far more comfortable with the navigation of bureaucratic systems via assistance in navigating the different entities on campus at SOU. Additionally, the ability to hold space and time on a busy college schedule for things like weekly appointments and eventually work hours as the UCAM student mentor for two years (amongst other campus jobs at the same time) allowed me to develop critical time management and prioritization skills that I use daily in my professional life. These facets, in addition to the personal one-on-one time with my mentor Jade, helped me develop a comfort level facing life in and after college that I can clearly say would not have been possible without the support, advice, and trial run space provided by UCAM and its community within SOU.
Perhaps more importantly than any single thing listed above, UCAM served as a welcoming entry point to college for me in the early weeks before my first fall quarter as a freshman. As a student coming from an extremely small high school in Hawaii, I was alone for the first time in my life, thousands of miles away from my parents and the life I knew. Combined with the fact that I was facing the traditional challenges of starting college on my own two feet, I had to juggle my studies for the Honors College at SOU in addition to navigating a new town and learning the systems of the college. Each step of the way, UCAM was always a safe space to ask questions, get guidance, and even an official voice to advocate for my needs as a student when I felt I wasn’t being properly heard. Without the start this afforded me and the fact that they stuck with me EVERY step of the way through my undergraduate experience, I can say without any hesitation that UCAM was a vital part of my success.