Kendall Rountree: From EFSC to Harvard and Beyond
Education is a lifelong journey that shapes our perspectives, skills, and aspirations.
Kendall Rountree’s academic trajectory exemplifies that transformative power of education.
From starting at Eastern Florida State College (EFSC) as a high school student to earning a Bachelor of Liberal Arts in Humanities at Harvard University, Kendall’s story showcases the importance of exploration, perseverance, and continuous learning.
A Broad Foundation at EFSC
“I started at EFSC when I was in high school. I did the dual enrollment program through Merritt Island High School because I wanted to get off campus and have a bit more freedom. I enjoyed that,” said Kendall.
What stands out about Kendall’s EFSC Associate in Arts degree, which would eventually allow him to transfer to Harvard, is the eclectic nature of his A.A. electives because he switched his focus multiple times.
“I think that being part of a diverse student body at EFSC, with both younger and older learners in the same classroom, is a valuable experience,” said Kendall. “It’s a reminder that education is a lifelong journey, and that it’s never too late to take control of changing your life for the better.”
“The demography of EFSC, with people from different fields and backgrounds pursuing different degrees, made me aware of how different students’ motivations for learning can be. It showed me that, no matter what happens, there are always opportunities for growth and learning.”
Kendall emphasizes the significance of a well-rounded education, highlighting how various subjects like math, biology, and chemistry have contributed to his multifaceted growth.
“I use what I’ve learned in all those fields in my daily life. Looking back, I can see how those influences grew into something unique and provided a solid foundation that allowed me to branch out into whatever field I wanted.”
Venturing into Writing and Research
After graduating from EFSC in 2018, Kendall embarked on a remarkable journey that included a leave of absence from school to work on a book project titled “Darwin 2.0,” allowing him to indulge in his passion for evolutionary biology and writing.
“I spent about six months researching, reading hundreds of books and research papers over the span of six months to prepare,” said Kendall. “That was a ton of fun because I was able to build off of the foundation that I had created through my previous courses. It was a really rewarding experience.”
Though the finished book is yet to be published, the experience of researching and writing it has been immensely fulfilling.
“Without the critical thinking skills I developed through my coursework, I wouldn’t have been able to pursue my academic and professional aspirations. I never would’ve started on this journey, and I definitely wouldn’t have ended up graduating from Harvard.”
Entrepreneurship and Red Ink Review
Kendall’s entrepreneurial spirit led him to establish a company called Red Ink Review. Through this venture, he provided editing services for high school students’ college admissions essays.
Initially offering his services for free to develop his skills, Kendall eventually began charging fees. This allowed him to hire a team of editors and offer discounted or free services to a larger number of underprivileged applicants.
“It started out small. I personally reviewed roughly 3,000 essays and I did that for about three years, but it took up too much of my time. So, I put it on the back burner,” he said.
The success of Red Ink Review, with countless students who used the service gaining admission to top U.S. universities, served as a testament to Kendall’s proficiency in editing. While he eventually had to prioritize other commitments, the lessons it provided we invaluable lessons.
“Building Red Ink Review from the ground up was a valuable lesson in entrepreneurship. It taught me the importance of perseverance and the value of my own expertise,” said Kendall.
“I used to offer a refund to applicants who didn’t get into one of their top three choices. I never had that happen. It’s really important to invest and believe in your services.”
Balancing Academics and Personal Interests
Kendall’s pursuit of higher education did not confine him to a traditional campus-based lifestyle. He embraced the flexibility of online learning.
“The program I was enrolled in at Harvard allowed me to take approximately half of my courses virtually through Zoom. This flexibility, coupled with COVID-19 rules, allowed me to live in Kentucky, where I grew up, and pursue my personal interests like hiking, fishing, and martial arts,” said Kendall, who has a passion for training in kickboxing and jiu-jitsu.
“Balancing academics with a more relaxed lifestyle helped me maintain a sense of well-being and keep myself engaged and active in my community.”
Dreams of Teaching and Research
Looking to the future, Kendall aspires to become a professor, and he’s no stranger to the academic world as both his parents are professors on the EFSC faculty.
His dad Ron is a popular humanities and world religion teacher and his mom Beth has taught math and is now the Collegewide Academic Chair for that discipline.
“I have a strong passion for teaching and sharing knowledge. My ultimate dream is to become a professor and teach game theory, a subject that fascinates me, through philosophy and biology.”
“I believe that education has the power to transform lives and shape the future, and I want to be a part of that transformative process.”
Having just graduated and completed his tenure as a Research Assistant at Harvard, he will be heading to Japan soon where he’ll be teaching English through the JET program, a competitive teaching exchange program that generates up to 5,000 applications a year with only about 1,000 chosen.
“In Japan, I have the incredible opportunity to immerse myself in a new culture, both learning from others and sharing my own knowledge through my role as a cultural ambassador and teacher. It’s not just about teaching English; it’s about fostering cultural exchange and creating meaningful connections. I’m really excited for the journey.”
“I’m hoping to further my Japanese language skills and become fluent, and then enroll in a Ph.D. program abroad. There are so many options that are open to me now – it’s really exciting.”
Message for Incoming EFSC Students
Drawing from his own experiences earning an A.A. degree, Kendall offers valuable advice to incoming EFSC students.
One: “Try any classes that you think are interesting. Why? Well, I took a Japanese 1 course at Eastern Florida, and now, you know, four years later, I’m moving to Japan. I took extra science courses and ended up writing a book on evolution. These experiences can really manifest in ways that you would never expect. So I would encourage anyone to just take the courses that they think are interesting.”
Two: “Be aware that not all learning happens inside the classroom. Making the change to engage with academic books outside of class made me curious and fueled my desire to continue my education. Embrace extracurricular reading, attend workshops, and explore opportunities for personal growth. You’ll be amazed at how these experiences can shape your perspective and open doors to new possibilities.
Three: “Look beyond the traditional programs and explore the diverse offerings of universities. There are programs designed for nontraditional students in top schools across the nation. Eastern Florida equipped me with the skills and foundation I needed to excel at prestigious institutions like Harvard, but it’s up to you to find opportunities to prove yourself. If you truly apply yourself and seek out those opportunities, you can achieve your goals and go anywhere you desire. You’d be surprised how willing people are to help you when you have a goal you’re working toward and make that known.”
Kendall’s journey from Eastern Florida State College to Harvard is a testament to the power of never-ending curiosity and taking advantage of opportunities.
“I truly believe that any student can excel if they truly devote themselves to it. EFSC has many amazing professors and a great support system, and a culture that’s understanding of the working student lifestyle. Try taking courses you’re uncomfortable with and apply yourself, you might end up discovering a new passion along the way.”
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