Get to know Kyle Anderson, associate director of the Kernodle Center for Civic Life, and how he models civic engagement in his everyday life.
Kyle Anderson, associate director of the Kernodle Center for Civic Life, not only works in civic engagement at Elon University, but he demonstrates the importance of being active and involved in the community through his daily life.
As a staff advisor for Elon Volunteers, he provides support and guidance to both student leaders and community partnerships. He advises educational programs and collaborates with schools, offering behind-the-scenes assistance to ensure successful outcomes. Additionally, he tracks the impact of student involvement, monitoring where students are volunteering and the nature of their work, particularly through programs like Phoenix Serve. He also works closely with faculty to foster student engagement in these initiatives.
Kyle’s path to higher education and service began during his college years, where he actively engaged in numerous volunteer programs with various organizations. He described these experiences as “transformative and life-changing.” One particularly impactful moment was his participation in an alternative break trip to rural Tennessee, focused on poverty reduction. During this trip, meaningful conversations with the local community proved to be an eye-opening experience. Inspired by this trip, Kyle took a gap year working with the AmeriCorps VISTA program before pursuing his master’s degree, dedicating his time to serving at a women’s homeless shelter. This experience, he explained, allowed him to “see the complexity in social issues” in a deeper, more nuanced way while also being the place where he met his wife, who was a fellow volunteer.
Now serving as a youth sports coach with Gibsonville Parks and Recreation, he is deeply committed to fostering an active lifestyle for his two boys, ages 8 and 10. Growing up playing and watching sports himself, he sees it as a powerful way to connect with his children. Over the past few years, he has coached them across five different sports seasons, including basketball for his younger son. His dedication to showing up for his kids not only strengthens their bond but also emphasizes the importance of being active and involved in their community.