It's a see you later, not goodbye for Comet Jacob

This week Olivet College said farewell to Carrie Jacob, community service coordinator for the past three and a half years, as she goes on to pursue her dream of working with children.

Jacob graduated from Olivet in 2014. In August of that year she began working as the community service coordinator alongside with Service Learning Professor Mike Fales. In April of last year she also became the director of the Difference Maker Scholarship effort.

Jacob will now be working at Gilden Woods Early Care and Preschool in Kalamazoo as an assistant in the toddler room. “I love how innocent children are, and love watching them discover new things,” said Jacob. She said her time spent at Olivet helped shape her for this next chapter by making connections in the community, and allowing her to grow more professionally.

In 2016, Jacob spent the summer as a YMCA camp counselor, and that sparked her interest in working with children. “That was one of my favorite experiences! Growing up, my family never sent me to camp,” Jacob said. She has also enjoyed getting to know students on campus while working and travelling to service projects.

Jacob went on service trips while she attended Olivet. During her junior year she traveled to New Orleans, where she first connected with Fales. From then on she attended every trip until she graduated. “Going on these trips has helped me meet new people... people who I can look up to,” Jacob said. Fales, Ian Peters, the former coordinator, and Provost Maria Davis have all impacted her. “I’m going to miss her greatly,” Fales said, “but am excited for her new career.”

Jacob is thankful for her time spent here. “I love Olivet and I will always consider it to be home,” said Jacob.