CARLINVILLE, IL -- "The work program changed my life. It helped me become the person who I am and opened the perspective of I'm not just doing this for me, but I can also help other people."
Blackburn College features a unique college experience and opportunities that are tough to find anywhere else. Women's Basketball senior Aryanna Harris has taken advantage.
Originally attending MacMurray College, Harris transferred to Blackburn for the 2020-21 season after MacMurray announced its closing. Harris now returns to Blackburn for her fourth season and during her time as a Beaver, she has propelled her experience into becoming the Student Manager of Administration Services where she oversees 39 other students.
Her first job was in the business office, working in accounts receivable before moving to accounts payable. During this time, the professional staff member overseeing the office left campus, resulting in Harris taking on the additional role of managing portions of the business office. A temporary professional staff member would come in once a week but largely the responsiblities of overseeing the office fell on her. "I had to input all the data, send out checks that needed to be sent to various businesses and vendors, and then once a new professional staff member was hired, I also trained her until she fully took over."
She then decided to try something new and talked to Haley Bray, Director of Campus Services. Eventually, Harris was also asked if she was interested in becoming the Manager of Administration Services by another staff member. "Absolutely not," Harris answered. "I was scared that I wouldn't have time for basketball and softball, but I thought on it and thought it would help build my leadership skills. I also love helping others so it was the perfect opportunity for me to step up.
As manager, her responsibilities include helping students be accountable and ensure they get their jobs and tasks completed and are on time. "I also do timecards and make sure workers are clocking in on time, and not clocking in during class or practice time. I do goal meetings and competencies, making sure they are successful in both the classroom and their work settings. I also answer any questions or provide help to students since I've been at Blackburn for a while."
When asked how the work program has enhanced her college experience she thinks it is amazing. "I honestly think the work program is an amazing addition because it helps you with time management and it helps you build knowledge and skills you need in the work force. If your an athlete it helps you bring those skills to the floor or field, especially in leadership positions.
Working about 25-30 hours a week, Harris still has plenty of time to get involved in other roles on campus. She has served on two search committees for new professional staff members, serves on the Athletic Committee and the Student Life Committee and is the supervisor for the Diversity and Equity Inclusion student workers. The senior also is on the Blackburn College HLC Student Success Academy Team and is the President of the Black Student Union.
Bray said of Harris, "Aryanna is a perfect example of the kind of student Blackburn attracts and the kind of leaders this institution builds. She has overcome a number of challenges in order to work her way to where she is today as an athlete, as a student, and as a leader. I am so honored to watch her rise!"
In November, she will receive the Abraham Lincoln Civic Engagement Award in Springfield, an honor that goes to a student from each of the four-year degree-granting institutions of higher learning in Illinois which honors leadership and service in the pursuit of the betterment of humanity and for overall excellence in curricular and extracurricular activities.
With her time spent working and in class, it may be a suprise to find out that she still has plenty of time to be successful on the basketball court. "The work program and everything hasn't negatively affected my basketball at all. I can still get to practices and games and have time to go to other teams' games, so it really doesn't hurt the college experience at all.
The senior point guard returns to the court as the team's returning scoring leader, averaging 11 points per game througout her career and is coming off her best season from behind the three-point line. She also posted career highs in rebounds, assists and steals per game.
What would Harris tell future student athletes thinking of attending Blackburn, "they may not love it at first but as they go down the line, they will learn how important it is and how it helps build them into the person they want to be. It makes you into a great leader and helps prepare you for work outside of Blackburn through the experiences you gain here.