There’s so much more than what's here.
I'd like to begin by mentioning that I have two names. The first name my parents gave me was “Carl Hammond Sorgen IV.” However, my mom and dad did not want to call me Carl, so they started using “Kip” when I was born. I use Carl in writing and Kip with people I know. Really, though, I answer to both.
From childhood, my parents taught me the value of education and have worked hard to support my academic endeavors. In my youth, the co-curriculum was much more pervasive than academics. I was a very active teen, often in peer leadership roles. My first experience with higher education was four years of undergraduate education at Ohio University. I only have fond memories of my time there. I was on the swimming and diving team for the first two years then gave up intercollegiate athletics to have more freedom. I studied speech, language, and hearing sciences but lacked the passion to commit to it as a profession. When I graduated, I had very little direction in my life but knew I loved the previous four years.
Having a positive undergraduate experience at Ohio University greatly contributed to my affinity for higher education. As a result, I decided to look for entry-level professional jobs at nearby universities. I accepted a position supervising phon-a-thon callers and the senior class gift committee at Capital University in Columbus, Ohio. During my time there, I developed a fondness for working directly with college students. The position at Capital allowed me to support students' development without having formal training. However, the scope of the responsibilities was limited. I recognized the benefits of having a master’s degree in student affairs. A colleague recommended NYU’s program because she thought it would be a good fit for me. She was right.
I worked as a graduate assistant in the Office of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Student Services for two years while enrolled as a full-time master’s student in the Higher Education Administration program at New York University. Living, working, and studying in New York City provided experiences that contributed to my professional development and greatly influenced my interest in LGBT research. The culture unabashedly embraced differences and went to great lengths to support students. Although I enjoyed my experience at NYU, Penn State's program was a better fit for my doctoral work.
Being a part of the community of scholars in the higher education program at Penn State was an incredible experience. I blended my interests in college student development and LGBT issues, creating research projects that contribute knowledge in the field of higher education. I also had extensive teaching opportunities assisting with courses in a student affairs program. The quality of education from Penn State far surpassed my expectations.
Finally, I want to share some things about me outside of academia. My friends help me balance my life, and I am grateful to be surrounded by such wonderful people. I've learned that distance is inconsequential with good friends. Also, having an appreciation for nature’s beauty, I find solace in warm rain, summer thunderstorms, sand that feels like flour, dry days after a snowfall, lightning bugs, the smell of lilacs, and the bustle of a city. My favorite hobby is photography. Here are some of my pictures.
Thanks for stopping by. Like the title of this page indicates, these texts are only a snapshot of who I am because personalities are infinitely deeper than can be described. If I can help you in any way, please let me know. I could never repay those who have supported me, so I pay it forward.
