Full of Scarlet Spirit

Spend any amount of time on the Rutgers University in Camden campus, and you’re liable to bump into Kaila Crozier CCAS’22. Depending on the day (or the hour), she may be in front of a classroom as a student teacher, working an athletic contest, or helping to organize a TEDx event.

In fact, students, employees, and visitors to campus may have already rubbed elbows—or scarlet-colored Raptor wings—with Crozier and not even known it; Crozier frequently dons the Scarlet Raptor mascot costume for games and events in the community, providing her an ideal forum to exude what she calls Scarlet spirit.

“It brings me joy to be able to connect with people to promote Rutgers–Camden at different events and help showcase different clubs and organizations,” said Crozier, who is from nearby Cherry Hill and is pursuing a master of arts in teaching after graduating Phi Beta Kappa with a bachelor’s degree in English.

Crozier as the Scarlet Raptor mascot

Crozier as the Scarlet Raptor mascot

“Honestly, it’s a lot of fun to just walk around in the Raptor suit and be goofy. Since no one knows who you are, you can have a different identity and act like somebody else. Getting to see kids smile is great. I think at every event, there’s always at least one moment where I say, ‘That was cute.’ That’s why I do what I do.”

As Crozier can attest, the Scarlet Raptor has even had the opportunity to flock with some fellow feathered friends; one of Crozier’s favorite experiences as the mascot came at an off-campus event that featured penguins from Camden’s nearby Adventure Aquarium. “The penguins looked like they were caught off guard by this person in a bird suit,” Crozier remembered with a smile. “It was really funny and a lot of fun.”

Crozier gained acceptance to Rutgers–Camden during an “Instant Decision Day” event during her senior year at Cherry Hill High School East. Crozier met with representatives from the Office of Admissions and received a same-day acceptance. “It relieved a lot of stress for me,” Crozier said.

After spending her first year making the 15-minute commute from home to campus, Crozier says she ramped up her participation in campus activities as a sophomore—and her involvement hasn’t stopped since. “Being part of the Photography Club helped me connect with others on campus, and I really started to see the value of getting involved,” she said; she would eventually join the staff of the university’s Gleaner student newspaper and assist the athletic department with promotions and game management. When she wasn’t donning the Raptor costume, Crozier became a different kind of fixture at Raptor athletic events as a public address announcer for several sports, including soccer, baseball, softball, and volleyball.

“Working as an announcer at games helped me gain self-confidence and has also helped with leadership skills,” she said.

“Getting involved helped me see that our campus and this community have true heart and soul. It’s something you truly have to experience for yourself to understand. That’s why I tell people to be as involved as you can when you’re a student here; it will really determine your outlook and your perspective.”

As she nears the completion of her graduate degree in spring 2024, Crozier is still evaluating different potential career paths, but knows she wants to land in a field where she can make a positive impact on others and the world. “Whether it’s through teaching or counseling or some sort of administration, I’ve come to realize how important it is to have people in your life that are careful and considerate,” she said. “I’ve been lucky to have all these great opportunities here.”

Design: Karaamat Abdullah