Darian Buck – Crowell & Kilgo

Hometown: Raleigh, NC

Pronouns: she/they

Professional interests: As an Academic Guide, I am eager to meet students where they are at by fostering an accessible academic environment. With a passion for inclusive pedagogy and social justice, I aim to advocate for the next generation of leaders

Summary of previous professional experience:
In 2021, I earned a Bachelor’s degree in Women and Gender Studies and Philosophy from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. That same year, I began my Master of Social Work program at UNC-Chapel Hill, where I served as a School of Social Work Student Ambassador and a Parr Center for Ethics Graduate Fellow.

While pursuing my MSW, I worked as a Residential Advocate at the Inter-Faith Council for Social Services at Project HomeStart and as a Program Administrator with StandUp-SpeakOut of NC (SUSO NC). Additionally, I gained valuable experience interning as a Development Associate with Helping Education Fund and contributing to the “Undoing Racism” initiative at the UNC School of Social Work Practicum Office.

Education

• M.S.W. Social Work with a Specialization in Community, Management, and Policy
  Practice, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
• B.A. in Women and Gender Studies and Philosophy, Minor in Social and Economic
  Justice, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Intellectual interests: 
Applied Ethics, Racial Justice, Feminist Philosophy, Queer Studies, Disability Justice, Environmental Justice, Climate Activism, and Inclusive Pedagogy.

Hobbies: Puzzle Solving, Trivia, Arts and Crafts, Amateur Interior Design, Cleaning and Organizing, Consuming Coffee, Documentary Watching, Cat Cuddling, and Science Podcast
Listening.

Fun fact:
I think raccoons are so cute. Late at night while working as a Residential Advocate, a family of raccoons came to visit the shelter. I was so eager to feed them Cheerios that my finger got nipped in the process. I ended up in the ER until 4am that night getting my first round of the rabies vaccine (I got the rest of the vaccination rounds over the continuing weeks). It was grueling but worth it ーI even have it on video!

What was the most challenging part of college for you? What did you learn from that experience? The most challenging part of college for me was navigating academic expectations and changing passions. I was accepted into UNC as a nursing major in the Honors Program, with ambitions to pursue a Physician Assistant (PA) track. However, I struggled with the coursework, particularly in my Chemistry 101 course, which I ended up failing during my first spring semester. It was a difficult time, as I felt disappointed and unsure of my future.

That same semester, I took an introductory philosophy course and discovered a love for applied ethics. Although I initially felt ashamed for not continuing on the medicine track, the experience taught me the importance of exploring my interests and being open to uncertainty. College provided an environment for me to discover my true passions and ultimately led me to pursue academic and professional aspirations that were more aligned with my values and strengths.

What did you learn or gain in college that you have carried with you? As a low-income, first-generation college student, I often felt a lot of pressure to prove myself. This led me to be overly independent. Looking back, I realize I missed valuable opportunities by not reaching out for mentorship from professors and not being more involved in extracurricular activities and campus communities. This experience taught me that it’s okay to seek help and build connections, and I’ve carried this lesson with me since.

What do you know now that you wish you had known in college? Many of my insecurities and feelings of overwhelm were linked to a learning and developmental disability that I wasn’t diagnosed with until graduate school. If I had understood that my academic challenges weren’t a reflection of my intelligence or effort, but rather due to being neurodiverse without appropriate accommodations, I would have been much more equipped to succeed. Knowing what I know now, I would have advocated for myself more to receive the support and accommodations I deserved. This awareness has helped me better understand and navigate my strengths and challenges, and it would have made a significant difference in my undergraduate experience.