Paths
A ‘best-in-class’ commitment
Damon Yarnell is finishing his first year as executive director of career development. His team recently became part of the provost’s office, a move that more strongly integrates it with UR’s academic infrastructure.
My roots
Being from New York City shapes who I am, and having moved away from New York also shapes who I am.
When I was growing up, New York was among the planet’s densest and most diverse and dynamic cities. I benefited from that every day I lived there. I went to Stuyvesant, a magnet public high school, so I made friends with incredibly bright and talented students from all over the city.
My first career
After college, I took my degree in comparative literature to North Carolina. Friends and I founded two businesses in sustainable construction and development, and I ran them for about 10 years.
The economy was booming, but some people were getting pushed out. I came to understand what was occurring in Chapel Hill as a form of regional gentrification. Curiosity about that process sent me back to graduate school.
My career shift
After my doctorate, I reached a juncture where I knew I did not want to be a professor. I considered a turn toward policy, but what I found working in college administration was the chance to build at a scale where I could really make a difference every day.
My Richmond decision
Richmond has a dynamic leadership team. Their directive was, “Come define what best-in-class means, and then go get it.” It was the best way to convince me that this was the right opportunity.
When I think about what best-in-class means, I want maximum opportunity for all Spiders while they’re here, when they graduate, and as they build their careers.
I also want to show the way for other people who do this work. That’s possible at Richmond because of the commitment of leadership, the caliber of people, and the institution’s resources. We can imagine things that not everybody has the wherewithal to imagine, and then we can go do them. That’s exciting.
My approach
My team’s job is to make sure that Spiders have the skills, self-awareness, and access to opportunities and connections. Our challenge is that we’ve got to be good, but we also have to be fun because we’re competing with all the other things students have to do and want to do.
My philosophy
I’m a champion of the liberal arts. I’m convinced that a great education will enable people to be creative problem solvers and ethical decision makers.
Every day, I remind myself that launching Richmond students out into the world into positions of responsibility can impact them and their families, but also society at large. I believe Spiders will make the world a better place.