Coming Full Circle: Destiny Kiddoo’s Journey from Student to Adjunct Professor at William Penn University

10/08/2025

When Destiny Kiddoo first heard about William Penn University, attending wasn’t part of her plan. She had intended to start at a community college closer to home when her jazz band instructor recommended Penn as a better fit. Once she arrived, she was drawn to the community. “The small-school atmosphere and the ability to have such a great connection with professors, directors, and mentors throughout my time at Penn really kept me here and was a huge part of what drew me to the school in the first place,” she said.

As an undergraduate, Kiddoo’s experience was a true coming-of-age journey. “I would describe my time as a huge part of my development into adulthood,” she said. “I had so many resources and supportive people at Penn that I was able to be incredibly successful as an undergrad, never going without—academically, personally, or socially.”

Music was central to her Penn experience. “The music program still impacts my life to this day,” she shared. “The connections, lifelong friends, and memories I made have had a huge impact on me, even as I’ve stepped away from music being my full-time career.” She recalled a favorite memory from the annual Christmas parade: “The entire band just broke out and started playing a song without much of a prompt… even in the brutal cold, it reminds me of how important we all were to each other and what it meant for each of us to be there.”

Her time in the band also shaped her personally and academically. “It encouraged me to be more outgoing,” she said. “It also taught me a lot of discipline and organization that helped me academically.”

Kiddoo’s love for English grew alongside her passion for music. “I had always loved English, and finding a way to combine both my love for music and English while at Penn helped shape my ability to continue pursuing both passions,” she said. “I had always wanted to be an educator and quickly learned that the opportunities I was looking for aligned more with being a professor.”

Returning to Penn as an Adjunct English Professor has been deeply meaningful. “It means everything to me. Coming back to Penn in this new role feels like a full-circle moment,” she said. “I get to give back to the same community that helped shape me.”

“The most rewarding part has been seeing students find their voice,” she added. “Watching them gain confidence and take ownership of their ideas reminds me why I chose this path.” Standing in classrooms where she once learned has also been surreal. “It reminds me of how far I’ve come and deepens my empathy for my students… especially since I teach mostly freshmen.”

Her background in music continues to influence her teaching. “My work in music has always been deeply intertwined with my academic interests in English, history, accessibility, and feminism,” she explained. “This intersectional approach helped me understand how marginalized voices have used music as a form of resistance and storytelling. It also pushed me to think about accessibility in both education and the arts.”

“Creativity is at the heart of how I teach,” she said. “My own creative background helps me encourage students to take risks and find unique ways to engage with material.”

Reflecting on her college years, Kiddoo said, “The most valuable part of my William Penn experience was the relationships I built. From professors and mentors to peers in the music and English programs, those connections shaped not only my time as a student but also my path after graduation.”

Her advice to current students is heartfelt: “Don’t try to do it all alone… lean into your community. Build relationships with your professors—they want to see you succeed… And don’t be afraid to ask for help.”

Looking ahead, Kiddoo said, “Right now, I’m balancing multiple careers, so my main goal is to grow into my role as a professor and learn what it means to be an effective educator.”

She hopes her story inspires others. “I hope my story shows that Penn is a place where you can truly grow—personally, academically, and professionally. I came in unsure of my path and left with a purpose. That’s the power of this community.”