Kathleen Barbosa
October 8, 2019
Kathleen Barbosa (2018)
Kathleen graduated with her undergraduate degrees in Communication and English. While at Truman, she worked as a Features Writer for the Index, then Features Editor, and then Editor-in-Chief. She also hosted KTRM shows and wrote for Detours. Since graduating, she has worked in public relations, journalism, and now as a teacher after serving in Teach for America. Kathleen loved her Truman experience, and met her fiancé Connor Stangler while she was there.
What year did you graduate and what was your concentration?
I graduated in 2013. I concentrated in public communication.
What extra-/co-curricular activities did you do?
I was in Phi Sigma Pi, student government, but most of my time was spent in the Index and KTRM!
Did you go to grad school? If so, where? Was it immediately after you left Truman or did you wait? Why?
I earned my Master of Arts of Teaching from Marian University in Indianapolis, IN. I worked a few years first as an event planner, as a staff writer for a pharmaceutical magazine, and in a quilt shop. Then, I joined Teach for America and earned my masters while I was teaching 8th grade math in Indianapolis.
How has your Liberal Arts/COMM education helped you?
My communication education has helped me in so many ways. The theory classes really teach you why and how people communicate. The student-led media taught me so many professional and organization skills. The faculty always supported me and gave me so much time and attention in helping me find jobs to apply for. They helped me think through what I wanted out of my career.
What was your first job after graduation?
The first thing I did after graduation was an internship at Fleishman-Hillard in St. Louis. My first real job after college was for the KC Metropolitan Bar Association as an event planner.
What work do you do/What are you doing now?
While completing Teach For America in Indianapolis, I came to really enjoy working in underserved communities and schools, so when I moved back to Kansas City, I wanted to remain in education. I now teach 5th grade math and am the grade level content lead at the Ewing Marion Kauffman School in Kansas City.
Which class did you dislike at the time you took it, but now you’re grateful you took it?
I took a business communication class with Dr. Smith my first year at Truman. I loved Dr. Smith, but was so bored by the idea of business communication. Now, those professional communication skills set me apart in the workplace and have been transferable in every job.
Kathleen & Connor (2019)
What was your greatest accomplishment at Truman?
My greatest accomplishment at Truman was serving as Editor-in-Chief of the Index my junior year. It was a great learning opportunity, and such a fun, stressful, crazy year. It is also how I met my fiancé, Connor!
Why is Truman a good place for a student to study?
I loved Truman. I met a lot of great friends, I developed great relationships with professors, and I was constantly amazed by other students in my classes. I love that I got to take Communication classes, English classes, Spanish, Stats, Calculus and Political Science classes. You don’t get those opportunities at every school. I loved how small it was. I loved running into friends if I walked on campus or through town!
What would you say a COMM student should absolutely do while at Truman?
You absolutely MUST work in student media. Whether you are drawn to the Index, KTRM, or Detours, get involved with student media. You will learn so much, and the freedom you have to be creative is unparalleled. These are the skills that will be transferable to any work environment that you want to pursue. Plus, you’ll make really great friends.
Kathleen (1st row, left) and the Index staff enjoying Halloween as the Peanuts gang (2012).
What advice would you give someone who wants to go into the same line of work as you?
If you’re interested in doing Teach for America, seek out opportunities to lead other students. They want to hear how you’ve faced tough situations, and how you’ve handled conflict. Working in student media gives you lots of chances to develop those skills.
What do you miss most about campus/Kirksville?
The Chinese food. I still get Chinese takeout most Sunday nights. (Editor’s note: It’s kind of a tradition at Truman).
If you could come back to Truman and teach a class for a semester, what would be its title and what would it be about?
“Launching Projects.” Students would launch and maintain some communication project. It could be a blog, a podcast, whatever, but you have to design the topic, brand it, and produce at least 3 episodes or installments with the option to extend the class to a second semester as a practicum as you maintain the project and attempt to grow the audience.