Imani Jeter

Let’s get to know the man who has the magic touch when it comes to technology, production coordinator and instructor, Zak Kimball. I sat down with Mr. Kimball to discuss his a few things, from his upbringing to his aspirations in life. Here’s what he had to say!

IMANI JETER: WHERE WERE YOU BORN? WHAT WAS YOUR UPBRINGING LIKE?

ZAK KIMBALL: So, I was born in Dover, Delaware. I grew up in West Dover, went to school in capital school district, and stayed around this area my whole upbringing. I moved off to DC and Philly and all sorts of places, and eventually found my way back home.

 IJ: WHO HAS BEEN THE GREATEST INFLUENCE ON YOUR LIFE THAT HAS IMPACTED THE MAN YOU ARE TODAY?

 ZK: That’s a tough one! Of course the thing that comes to mind is my parents. They both had a huge impact on me in terms of my work ethic and my overall attitude, but outside of that I would say a co-worker of mine named Bill Laws was someone who was very different from myself and caused me to look at things and how I worked and caused me to grow in ways I didn’t anticipate.

 IJ:  CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT YOUR EDUCATION HISTORY AND WHAT YOUR GOALS OR LIFE AMBITION WAS WHEN YOU WERE A STUDENT IN COLLEGE?

 ZK: When I first entered college, I knew I wanted to work with video and at the time it was a scholarship opportunity for my total ride to be covered at Del Tech there wasn’t a similar option offered anywhere else in state. So I went to Del Tech for two years and go my associates degree in multi-media design, which was not specifically video related, but has helped me in my general knowledge of computers in terms of design and in terms of everything that goes on around video. I took that and transferred as a junior directly to Wilmington University where I completed my bachelor’s degree for a degree in studio production. As far as ambition, nature documentaries was something I really wanted to get into, and I’ve dabbled in things that could fall into that sort of category. 

 IJ: CAN YOU TELL US OF YOUR JOB EXPERIENCE PRIOR ATTENDING DELAWARE STATE UNIVERSITY? WHAT WAS YOUR MOST MEMORABLE POINT?

 ZK: I started working in the television or video industry. Back when I was still in college, I opened up my own business up with a friend of mine we did free lance video production for local events and video editing for a public local speaker…. nothing extravagant but ultimately decided to put that to the side and focus on being a college student. After I graduated I got a job at WBOC-TV in Salisbury where I worked for about three years being a camera operator, photographer out in the field, editor which wasn’t my initial thought of what I wanted to do when I got into going in that direction but turned out to be one of the most fun things I’ve gotten to do.

 IJ: IS THIS WHERE YOU THOUGHT YOU’D BE 5 OR 10 YEARS AGO?

 ZK: Close to a year ago I wouldn’t have thought I would’ve been in this position. I’m in certainly no rush to leave at this point, but it wasn’t something I ever considered. I thought it would be fun to move into a educational role, but at the time I was thinking that I would have to go back to school and get more former education before I moved into the role as an educator. Fortunately, this position opened up where it is primarily not as an educator but with educational element so it has given me the opportunity to get a feel for that without being a full professor and gives me the opportunity to work towards that hopefully

 IJ: WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS FOR THE FUTURE?

 ZK: At the moment my plans are to keep working on making this place run better and offer more to the students. Eventually, I’m sure ill want to relax and move into a role that is more focused on education rather than making sure everything is working around here….. I intend on getting my masters degree in the near future once my daughter require a little less attention.

 IJ: WHAT KIND OF ADVICE WOULD YOU OFFER A STUDENT, WHO IS UNDECIDED ON HIS OR HER CAREER PATH?

 ZK: I would say don’t box yourself into what you think you want to do be open to opportunities. If someone gives you a opportunity that isn’t going to be life threatening or cause you to ruin your life, then take it! If someone comes to you with something that’s not necessarily what you wanted to do don’t say “no,” “oh that’s beneath me,” or “that’s not where I want to go.” You don’t have to get stuck in any job in this field for a long time.

 IJ: HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE THE STATE OF HIGHER EDUCATION IN AMERICA TODAY?

 ZK: That one I don’t know about. It’s a tough thing because I think higher education is crucial to staying competitive as a country, it is crucial to making sure that the students that are going through it are well prepared for life even if you don’t end up pursuing a job that is in your career path. The extra four years of education and hopefully the life experience you get out of that will be leverageable in whatever field it is you decide to pursue.

 IJ: WHAT ARE YOUR HOBBIES OR EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES?

 ZK: Obviously, I like to spend time with daughter. I like to go to the park and go out for walks. I like indoor rock climbing in Newark, I try to do that at least once a week when I’m on my way home from class. I haven’t done bike riding as much as I like, but I like bike riding, video games from time to time, reading on occasions, the normal things to unwind and relax a little bit. I also haven’t done as much lately, but I like to knit.

 We have a lot of important professors/adjuncts who has a huge impact on the students at Delaware State University. They play a huge part in our student life.