APLU Staff Profile: Rishon Seaborn

Name: Rishon Seaborn
Department: Office of Academic Affairs, Personalized Learning Consortium (PLC)
Title: Senior Associate
Date you joined APLU: July 2020

How did you end up working at APLU? I came across APLU’s job posting right as I was starting my last semester of grad school. I remember reading the description and thoroughly researching APLU and the PLC. I was very curious and excited about the work that’s taking place. I wanted to work for an organization that supported advocacy and research, so public higher education was a delightful bonus.

What education or work experience had the greatest impact on you? My undergraduate study aboard trip to Ecuador was one of my greatest educational experiences. During that semester, I realized a lot of things about myself personally but also academically. After returning home, I was able to take additional courses and conduct research on topic areas that interested me (i.e. international relations, communications, and language). I’m very grateful for that trip and my professors at Salisbury University, as they helped set a strong foundation for my future.

What’s most rewarding about working with public research universities? I genuinely have enjoyed checking in with the professors who are participating in our grant work. It’s rewarding to see them excited about adaptive courseware and how it’s made their online transition easier in the pandemic. I hope that they continue to feel seen, heard, and supported throughout the organization.

What’s your go to activity when you want to relax? Hiking is 100% my go-to stress reliever. I’ve recently found myself hiking a lot more during the colder months. Nothing like the cold to keep you moving.

What is the best movie you’ve seen recently? I just watched Judas and the Black Messiah, which is an incredible movie. It depicts such a beautifully devastating narrative that is revolutionary in and of itself.

What’s the last book you read? The last book I read was for my last semester of grad school, Naked Statistics by Charles Wheelan. In my newfound free time, I’m very much looking forward to leisurely reading again.

What was the last concert you attended? I attended a Jordan Rakei concert at Sixth and I in November 2019, little did I know that would be the last one for a while. To my surprise, the venue was actually a synagogue and I think it was one of my favorite concerts thus far. I think concerts are one of activities that I’ve missed the most in this pandemic.