Bluffton University Residence Life and Student Involvement welcomed Horacia Carryl as the new hall director for Ropp Hall and the graduate assistant for Student Involvement.
Carryl is originally from Guyana and now resides in Pennsylvania. She said her family moved to the U.S. for a better opportunity. Her father joined the U.S. Army, and her mother, who was originally a school teacher, became a nurse.
She graduated from Messiah College, a liberal arts Christian college located in Mechanicsburg, Pa., in May with a degree in peace and conflict studies and a minor in political science. Carryl is currently working on her master’s in higher education with a concentration in student affairs through an online program with Messiah College.
“I have always had a passion for justice, reconciliation and education, and throughout my time in undergrad I was involved in student government, peace fellowship and multicultural programs to explore my interests,” said Carryl. “Pursuing my master’s in higher education felt like the next step, and the journey this far has already taught me plenty.”
Horacia Carryl is the new hall director for Ropp Hall and the graduate assistant for Student Involvement. Photo by Sarah Heydinger
Carryl was drawn to Bluffton because its Mennonite rooted tradition was similar to her Anabaptist background. As Anabaptists, Mennonites value peace and pacifism, two things Carryl finds most important to her personal faith.
“The small campus and the fact that it has similar theological values as my alma mater drew me here,” said Carryl. “I was also attracted to the fact that while Bluffton’s foundations are familiar to me, the culture of the campus was something I hadn’t experienced before.”
Carryl also described athletic culture as a cultural difference she has observed between Messiah and Bluffton.
“Messiah’s culture is greatly supportive of its sports teams, especially our men and women’s soccer and women’s basketball team…all of which have done well in NCAA championships, but we do not have athletics to the scale Bluffton does,” said Carryl. “Because of our pacifist roots we didn’t have a football team and there was constant debate about the possibility.”
Although Carryl has only been on campus for a short while, she already has a favorite spot. She finds interest in the nature preserve and the activities it offers. Carryl said she is excited to explore this outdoor facility throughout the year.
Beyond Carryl’s interest in the outdoors and her education, she also enjoys sewing and tailoring thrifted clothing into new clothing pieces. In her free time, you could also find her at the gym working out or writing poetry.
Carryl took the opportunity to become a hall director because she was passionate about giving students a holistic and well-rounded college.
“Becoming a hall director was an opportunity to connect with students and be a resource for them as they pursue the college experience they want or need,” said Carryl.
Carryl hopes to take advantage of her time at Bluffton by connecting the staff and students in Ropp Hall and being fully engaged in Bluffton’s unique culture. She aims to be a support system for her residents.
“When there’s so much going on around us, we can feel invisible in the crowd,” said Carryl. “I want to connect with as many students and reassure them that there is someone who sees them.”
Carryl said she believes the most important thing Bluffton students and her residents should know about her is she is not only a hall director but a resource.
“We are constantly in a state of becoming, and I believe everyone can meet their maximum potential if they are surrounded by people and resources intended for their growth,” said Carryl. “I am one of those resources, and with this position, I intend to engage with as many students as possible to help them along their journey.”
