Darcia Nurkkala

Coordinator of Academic Outreach

I Serve in...

Academic Enrichment

Education

• MS, Technology & Ministry, City Vision University (ongoing)
• TESOL Certification, Taylor University
• BS, Business Administration—Management Information Systems, Michigan Technological University

About

I love my job as the Coordinator of Academic Outreach. I work with colleagues who are caring and supportive, tutors who are willing to help out their fellow students, and students who are striving to become better students. I enjoy getting to know both the tutors and the students on a personal level. All of them have enriched my life in some way and some of them have even become like family.

Another reason that I have enjoyed working at Taylor is that my husband, Dr. Tom Nurkkala, and I have been able to lead January term mission trips for Computer Science and Engineering students. We have been able to introduce students to new cultures, to real life programming experiences, and to missionaries in the field. Tom and I also had the opportunity to make a presentation about these trips at the Association of Christians in the Mathematical Sciences.

I try to keep a book with me at all times, because I love to read. A good book and a comfortable chair make for a great break from the routine of the day. I read more fiction than nonfiction, and George MacDonald is one of my favorite authors. I also enjoy cooking. I have to maintain a gluten free diet, so embracing my own kitchen and making tasty food has become a necessity in order to stay healthy. My husband and I also enjoy traveling and cycling together. In fact, we have recently challenged ourselves to ride our bikes for 50 miles in all 50 states while in our 50’s. This will help us stay fit while doing something we enjoy.