Meet the Director

I count myself so lucky to be able to offer a range of signature programs and to always be surprised by that special interest a girl is prepared to work on finding a way to explore.

Individualized Study (also called Practicum or independent study) is intriguing and has an exciting ring to it, providing something a little different in a girl’s schedule.

It is a way for a girl to individualize her studies, either to explore something she has never done before and wonders about, or to take her interest to a deeper level.

From the student who shows and rides horses at the junior Olympic or national level to the girl who would like to try fencing, what I enjoy at the beginning of every year and throughout the year is meeting with girls, pairing them with their interests and the seeing them grow.

It is a real pleasure to watch that fencer move from the introductory level to taking part in her first competition. Through the program, students have collaborated with Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute faculty in cutting-edge biotech research, interned with biologists at New York State Museum labs, interned with state legislators and even worked for U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand’s campaign team when she ran for Congress (she's an Emma grad, Class of ’84).

This program has directly influenced the college choices of several students. Meanwhile, volunteering or interning lets a young person experience an interest and decide if it's a true passion, whether she's working with a vet or an architect, in a school with young children or in the Emma Willard School archives, or taking jazz piano or the harp.

Come visit anytime.

Anne Mossop, program director

amossop@emmawillard.org

(518) 833-1377