Dylan Kariher: Turning the Power of Language into Community Impact

March 13, 2026 | By River Fundock, Student Intern, Department of Communication | Edited by Karen Tibbals, CASSH Communications Coordinator

"Language is a very powerful tool that my professors in the Department of English have taught me to hone."

Dylan Kariher, an English Literature major graduating in spring 2026, has transformed his passion for reading and writing into meaningful work supporting youth in the Pensacola community. Through the University of West Florida’s College of Arts, Social Sciences, and Humanities (CASSH), Kariher has developed the analytical and communication skills that now guide his work as a Youth Prevention Coordinator with the nonprofit organization Hope Above Fear.

Kariher has always been drawn to literature and writing as a way of understanding people and society. “I have always loved reading and writing; it is a way of understanding people, society, and oneself,” he explains. For him, studying literature is more than an academic pursuit. It is preparation for any field where connecting with people is essential.

That ability to connect with others became especially important through his involvement in the local community. Kariher began coaching basketball in his neighborhood through the Southern Youth Sports Association (SYSA), an experience that shaped his understanding of the needs facing young people. Working with the kids helped him realize that supporting youth in the community was his calling.

As a student in the Department of English, Kariher discovered how studying rhetoric and language could translate directly into community impact. He explains that learning about rhetoric has helped him in community outreach efforts, including conversations about Narcan and the importance of reducing stigma around substance use. The communication skills he developed through his coursework now play a key role in how he engages with young people and the broader community.

One of the most influential figures in Kariher’s academic journey has been Dr. Bre Garrett, associate professor in the Department of English and director of composition. In her Critical Methods course, Kariher explored questions of identity, voice, and the cultural power of language.

“Dr. Garrett helped me and my classmates find our voices and the voices of those around us,” Kariher says. The self-reflection he developed in that class helped him better understand his own experiences and the issues affecting his community.

Recognizing Kariher’s commitment to addressing substance use among young people in Pensacola, Dr. Garrett connected him with the executive director of Hope Above Fear, a nonprofit focused on prevention and support for youth facing substance use challenges. What began as a volunteer opportunity soon became a professional role. Kariher now serves as a Youth Prevention Coordinator with the organization.

Dr. Garrett says Kariher exemplifies the impact that English majors can have both within the university and in the wider community.

Dylan is a scholar of language and literature, and he represents the skill, knowledge, and passion that English majors bring to the university and our community beyond. - Dr. Bre Garrett

“He is a poet, and it is his reverence of language that shapes his craft and integrity as a writer. In Critical Methods, Dylan demonstrated his ability to research historical and cultural context in order to deepen his understanding of textual situations and the impact that language has on shaping experience. We are so proud of the work he is doing.”

In his role as Youth Prevention Coordinator, Kariher organizes events for middle and high school students that provide safe and engaging activities outside of school. These programs include arts, sports, nature activities, and other opportunities that help young people explore interests they may not yet realize they have. He also leads the Youth Advisory Council, which brings together high school students from both Santa Rosa and Escambia counties to help ensure youth voices are heard within the institutions that shape their lives.

For Kariher, the work reflects the deeper purpose he discovered through his studies and community involvement. His education in literature and rhetoric continues to inform how he communicates about complex and sensitive topics while supporting young people in meaningful ways.

To students considering English literature, Kariher emphasizes the wide range of opportunities the field provides.

English is a wonderful field with so many opportunities in this job market. Reading and writing well are skills that go very far in every field. - Dylan Kariher

He also offers practical advice to students interested in working with nonprofit organizations or addressing challenging social issues. Maintaining balance is essential.

“Compartmentalizing your work life, academic life, and personal life is important when dealing with the heavier aspects of this work,” Kariher says. “Burnout is more likely to happen when you are taking your work home with you and your home into your work. Be willing to separate aspects of your life so you can more fully attend to whatever you are doing with a lower risk of burning out.”

Through his studies at UWF and his work with Hope Above Fear, Kariher demonstrates how the study of literature, language, and rhetoric can lead to meaningful community engagement and positive change.

Learn more about the English B.A. program at the University of West Florida.