Faculty Unscripted: Kane Kashouty

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Kane Kashouty is the Director of Admissions and an alumnus of MSA.

What are your primary roles at MSA?

Director of Admissions

Senior Class Faculty Sponsor

SGA Faculty Sponsor

Advisor

Tennis and Squash Coach

What made you decide to live and work on the Hill?

I don’t currently live on the Hill, although I did live on the Hill for six years growing up. Coming back to work at Miller felt more like a homecoming for me, which was really special. Nostalgia aside, I think the two main reasons I decided to work on the Hill were the community and the gorgeous campus. Not many folks get to look outside their office onto a vibrant lily-pond with a backdrop of the Blue Ridge Mountains. This campus, these buildings, are truly breathtaking. However, the sense of community, of family, is something that stuck with me from my time here at MSA as a student. It is unique. I’m grateful to have returned to a work environment that still values that sense of community, all these years later.

Most memorable teaching, coaching, or student-life experience?

I don’t know that I cannot single out one specific memory or experience in the past four years as an administrator, but instead would say that my role as an advisor has truly produced the most memorable and meaningful experiences here on the Hill. From advisory trips off-campus, to the annual pizza-bake at my house, to extended lunchtime conversations and laughs, advising is the most enjoyable and fulfilling role I have here at MSA. I have such fond memories from advisors I had over the seven formative years I spent here on the Hill and I try to model myself after those influential adults who buttressed me. I hope my advisees feel the sense of family, inclusiveness, and support that I felt during my time as a student. MSA would not be the same without our unique advising program. It is by far the most fun part of my job.

If you were not an educator, what would you be?

Before getting a dog, I think I would have said something that allows me to travel frequently. And I still do and want to continue traveling, but having a companion makes spending time at home that much more special. Now, I think I’d say something in the tech industry. It’s a growing, lucrative industry with so much potential– the possibilities seem endless. It also seems like a place where logic and problem solving coincide with creativity, which is very cool.

Favorite aspect of working at a boarding school?

Definitely the multi-faceted aspect of the job. I get to be an administrator, a coach, an advisor, a club sponsor, a duty-team member running a weekend event or taking a trip off campus. It allows you to see and interact with students in all different environments, not just in the classroom or, for me, not just during the admissions process. It’s particularly fulfilling in my role because I have the opportunity to work with students prior to attending Miller School and then interact with them in ways that allow me to see their growth, their involvement in the community, and their success, whether that be academic, athletic, etc. It’s especially meaningful to me as an alum as well.

Most memorable lesson learned from students at MSA?

Being in the admissions department is truly all about first impressions. My department often has to make decisions based on how prospective students look on paper and anywhere from 30 minutes in a Zoom interview to a two-hour visit here on the Hill. It’s arguably not a lot of time to assess whether someone is going to be a good fit for this unique and incredible community. This experience has simultaneously taught me the value of first impressions, but also not to judge a book by its cover. More often than not, I am blown away by a student who I found quiet or reserved on a tour or interview when I’m able to actually spend time with them on duty. I’ll frequently find myself approaching my colleagues in the admissions department to say, “I can’t believe I was on the fence about this student– they are amazing!” I try and recall my own application process back in 2000– twelve-years-old and unsure about what the future would hold at a new school where I didn’t know a single person. This can be a stressful experience for young people and it can be hard to always put our best foot forward when we are put on display for such a small time frame. So now I try and remember to keep this in mind when I’m meeting students, and am thoroughly delighted each year when an accepted student surprises me and validates not only my decisions but my purpose here on the Hill.

Favorite place to go or thing to do on MSA’s 1,600-acre campus?

I have such fond memories of visiting alumni lake when I was a student here at MSA and not much has changed since returning to the admissions office. Whether it be swimming, fishing, or kayaking, I love visiting the lake, particularly over the summer. I bring friends to the lake, take my advisees down on spring afternoons– it’s such an iconic and idyllic place on MSA’s campus.

Movie you have watched the most times in your life?

Probably The Big Lebowski. Prior to the pandemic, I used to always attend the showings at the Paramount theater..

Dream trip?

This is a tough one. I think my dream trip involves either Scandinavia or Scotland. I’ve been lucky enough to have traveled out the country multiple times whether it be pleasure, work, mission trips, or educational excursions. My time in the UK has always made me want to visit Scotland. I’ve heard wonderful things about Edinburgh. Additionally, after traveling with MSA students to Iceland last spring I was inspired to visit Scandinavia.

Pets?

I recently had the pleasure of adopting a three-year-old labradoodle named Bodhi! He has settled in wonderfully and it really couldn’t have been a more ideal pairing. I can’t wait to experience my 30s with this awesome guy by my side!

What did you want to do when you grew up (when you were in high school)?

For the longest time I wanted to be a lawyer. I think a lot of this was parental pressure paired with that ridiculous statement that is often aimed at “talkative” youths– “you’re so good at arguing, you need to be in a courtroom.” This was one of the main reasons I pursued Latin. However, it was actually my English teachers at Miller School who convinced me to pursue a major in poetry and literature. I was lucky enough to have some truly phenomenal role models during my time on the Hill: Ross, Tommaso, Hufnagel, to name a few.