It is with profound sadness that we acknowledge the passing of Kimberly Garrett, 48, who died peacefully at home with her beloved husband Mohamed Elnowihy nearby. Kimberly was well known throughout the university, working as the program assistant for the USF English Department as well as the Honors Program in English and the MFA in Writing Program.
Kimberly came to USF as a student, graduating in 2000 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in both Politics and History as well as a certificate in Legal Studies. She was a passionate reader and an astute critic, one whose observations and insights enriched the learning atmosphere in the many courses she took. She also was a gifted writer, a poet, a playwright, an essayist and a writer of fiction. Kimberly did not stop taking classes after earning her dual degree; she continued to follow her passion for creative writing and took classes from both English professors and professors in the Masters of Fine Arts program in writing. She also stayed on at USF as an employee for the next 25-plus years.
Her work life at USF began when she was a student. Kimberly worked as a student assistant for Cheryl Czekala, former History program assistant. Upon graduation, Kimberly became the program assistant for the Department of English and also supported the Honors Program. In 2018, Kimberly took on another role in addition to her work with English and Honors; she stepped into the role of program assistant for the MFA in Writing Program. In her professional life she excelled, supporting not only the programs but her fellow program assistants, becoming a Program Assistant Lead and winning the College’s Collecting Achievement Award in 2022 along with the PA Leads in the College.
The award citation reads: “The 2022 Collective Achievement Award goes to the Program Assistant Leads: Genevieve Chan, Kimberly Garrett, and Michelle Santana. Genevieve, Kimberly and Michelle were selected as Leads, a pilot program created to better support PAs in the College. As we prepared to return to campus for the Fall 2021 semester, they assisted with establishing protocols and arranging remote work schedules. They have also helped to hire and mentor more than a dozen new program assistants over this past year. Other PAs regularly comment on how the Leads have fostered community among their teams, and have helped solve difficult problems. Genevieve, Kimberly, and Michelle, you already did so much as PAs for your Departments, we are truly grateful how you have worked to better the experience of your colleagues and all of us.”
An active union member, in 2024 Kimberly received a certificate of appreciation from the Office & Professional Employees International Union, Local 29, AFL-CIO honoring her 25 years of membership service and dedication. Garrett also was awarded the Fr. William J. Dunne Award for her contributions to the community of USF through her service and leadership.
Committed to social justice and the power of positive change, Kimberly initiated an annual fund drive to raise money for organizations addressing issues such as gun violence, hate crimes, homelessness and support for undocumented students. For example, one year the recipient organization was Chinese Affirmative Action, the fiscal sponsor of the coalition to Stop AAPI Hate. Another year, the recipient was the Interfaith and Social Justice Program of our own University Ministry which took in contributions to help undocumented students bridge financial gaps and overcome barriers to higher education through the Magis Scholarship and Fellowship Fund. Other recipients included Southern Poverty Law Center, Unite Against Book Bans, March for Our Lives and San Francisco’s Glide Memorial Church. At each event, USF’s student writers shared the spotlight with faculty and with established writers such as former US Poet Laureate Juan Felipe Herrera, National Book Award winner Mary Szybist, and nationally recognized poets Oliver de la Paz, Evie Shockley, Ari Banias, Cortney Lamar Charleston, Randall Mann, and Sean Hill, among many others. Kimberly also served on the College's Staff Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Council from its inception through 2025.
All of the above tells only part of the story of Kimberly’s presence at USF. She was someone who made people feel like it was cool and fun to love literature and to be a writer. She created a library for students, a “writers’ nook,” events such as her legendary Halloween and Christmas parties, a newsletter for the undergraduates and another for the grad students. She made the pursuit of writing feel like a gift, and she was very much a part of that gift. Randy James, who graduated from the MFA Program in 2020 said “I was very nervous, being an out-of-towner, but meeting Kimberly at the start of that journey helped ease my anxieties. She always had a kind word…” Anna Skaggs, who worked as a student assistant with Kimberly from the second month of her freshman year until her graduation with a BA in English in 2011 noted that “Kim was incredibly kind and funny” and that she “made time for everyone, and she made the English Department office a place where everyone wanted to spend time.” So many gifts and tributes have been pouring in. The MFA Program will be honoring her in numerous ways, as will the English Department. We ask that you keep the spirit of her generosity and joy alive. There will be a tribute and celebration of her life at the University on Friday, October 30th, with more details to come.
Finally, here is an excerpt from a poem of Kimberly’s entitled “Song Rise.” The poem is a set of instructions on how to be a poet, but it is also a set of instructions on how to be human:
A flock of poems
Is called a forgiveness
Forgive your parents
For they were young, and growing up too
Forgive your enemies
For they do not know any better
Forgive even your siblings
For every fight they know of
And for every slight they do not
Forgive yourself
That is important. And your work will require it.
Please hold Kimberly Garrett’s family and friends in your thoughts and prayers and please remember her laughter which touched so many. We look forward to honoring her life and spirit.
The English Department and MFA in Writing Program
Dean's Office, College of Arts and Sciences