Welcome Cargile Williams to Undergraduate Education!
What is your name and what do you do at UE?
I’m Cargile (pronounced like an argyle sweater), and I’m the new Marketing & Communications Specialist.
What would you do (for a career) if you weren’t doing this?
I’d be doing public-facing ethics and teaching students to not only know what is good but also do what is good through ethical outreach and organizing. I already do some of this on the side through Philosophy for Humans, which I co-founded with a friend and colleague of mine. Once I get settled, I plan to start drafting a public-facing version of my dissertation and also developing my fiction writing skills.
If you could learn to do anything, what would it be?
I think I’d continue to develop a few of my current skills: I’d like to get more comfortable at the top of my range when singing, I’d love to get more confident with chutes when skiing, and I’d like to re-develop my strength and flexibility with movement once my back is healed up.
What accomplishment are you most proud of?
I’m honestly pretty proud of myself for finishing the dissertation. It’s a weird process that produces a weird document in a context that sometimes feels like hazing, but I was able to use it to explore my own relationship to moral responsibility and how I think about character within relational contexts. Now that I’ve done the hard part, I know I can survive the publishing process for future book projects and structure my time effectively to complete a project of that size.
What do you do in your spare time?
I like to cultivate a variety of different hobbies and rotate through them: gardening, cooking, video gaming, reading, sewing, house decorating, hiking, language learning, etc.
What is a favorite book, movie, and/or tv show that had an impact on you?
The Mess Inside by Peter Goldie. It presents a surprisingly human philosophy of what narratives are, how narratives fit into our sense of self, and how we use narratives to understand our complicated lives.
Where would you like to go on a dream vacation?
Either Scotland or Japan. I’ve never been to Scotland, but the landscapes and castles would be so much fun to explore. I have been to Japan, and I’d like to go back mostly for the 7-Elevens in Tokyo. I’ll also be returning to the Appalachian Mountains a few times a year to visit the most beautiful place on earth—Roan Mountain.
What are some of your favorite things about working in UE?
I’m excited to work in a context where I can use my expertise gained through the philosophy Ph.D. to help clarify language, communicate ideas concisely and persuasively, and mentor student interns. Everyone has been very welcoming, and I’m really enjoying my current projects.
Bonus interview: Kensie the Schnauzer
What is your name and what are your daily tasks?
My name is Kensie (short for Kensington), and I loudly bark at anyone outside of the house who is moving within my line of sight. I also demand pets at regular intervals and love rolling around in the grass on my back in the sun.
If you could be anywhere, doing anything, what would you be doing now?
I’d be chasing the soccer ball and playing defense. Or, I’d want to go on a hike, but only if I’m the first one in line leading the charge.
Where is your favorite place to nap?
Anywhere that’s in the sun or that is a spot my human normally rests in. I like to feel special and important, and I much prefer sitting on pillows if I can help it.
What advice do you have for effective marketing & communications campaigns?
If you bark loud enough and keep demanding attention for what you want, you will get so many pets and so much playtime. Do not give in. Do not compromise. Persevere.
Welcome to UE!