Dr. Kermit A. Brown is a Marine Corps-Gulf War Veteran and an Assistant Teaching Professor at Arizona State University who lives by the credo of the great activist and poet, Dr. Maya Angelou: “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did. But people will never forget how you made them feel.” As Dr. Brown states, Angelou’s words remind him “to always treat people with kindness, dignity, and respect. That goes a long way for me, and that’s how I like to live my life.”
As a faculty member in Leadership & Integrative Studies, and an affiliate faculty member with the Office of Veteran and Military Academic Engagement (OVMAE), his approach to teaching active-duty and veteran students is leadership focused, with a strong commitment to the evolution of each learner through collaboration and communication.
How did your military experiences influence the work you’re doing?
My Military experiences have meant a great deal to me. I know without a doubt it changed the trajectory of my career and my life. It’s made me a better teacher, a better leader, and a better man. My countless experiences, lessons, memories, and friends will last a lifetime.
What advice would you give to civilian-professors who are engaging with military-affiliated students?
I would say don’t treat them any differently than civilian students. It is important to understand that our veteran students are looking for stability, consistency, and a meaningful classroom experience, just as civilian students do. Do not expect more (or less) from our veteran students. For example, sharing stories. Most veterans have some amazing stories about their time in service however, some may be reluctant to share because of PTSD related triggers.
What kind of projects would you like to embark on in the future—with students, community orgs, etc.?
Last summer I had the honor of being one of the first instructors to teach in the new Associate of Arts in Military Studies degree offered by The United States Naval Community College in partnership with Arizona State University. This new partnership offers Organizational Leadership degrees to active duty enlisted Sailors, Marines, and Coast Guardsmen all over the world. It’s hard to describe how amazing this experience was. I had students submerged in a submarine in some distant ocean taking my class. I just thought that was awesome. I would love to continue to teach more of these classes and reach more non-traditional students, to me that is radically inclusive.
Interviewed by RD
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