#1—What brought you to Emma Willard School?

In my past experiences I was at Phillips Academy in Andover, MA for three years and then at Boston College, and I missed working with high school students! I saw the size of Emma, and thinking about being able to meet and get to know almost the entire campus, to see familiar faces in a way I didn’t get to at my prior institutions was something that really drew me in. I really fell in love with the beauty of the campus, and to be a part of student life and get to have an impact on young women it’s really exciting!

#2—What is a typical day-in-the-life at Emma like for you (so far!)?

So far I’m never sitting still, which I love! My days all look different, and opening week: it’s a mix of meeting with house parents, responding to emails, running into students and having conversations with them, making sure they’re all getting their ID cards! 

I’m able to do planning and building programs here in community, so that’s really nice. Sitting down with Emily [director of student and community life] and Evangeline [associate director of student life for READY] and really thinking through what we want student life and the boarding program to look like has been really fun for me. And I love sitting down and having lunch with everyone in the community and getting to know people!

#3—What is one thing about working at Emma that would surprise people?

This might sound cheesy, but everyone is so kind! It’s a very rigorous academic program and environment, but you see light in all of the students that are here, the joy they have in being here, and their interest in engaging with people. I would want people who are looking at Emma Willard and considering it to know that everyone has a lot of joy here! 

There is also a promotion of wellness, like wellness days, that I haven’t seen much elsewhere, and that’s something that I think is really special for our students. 

#4—What were you like in high school? 

I am different from how I am now! I was very reserved; I kind of did my own thing. I had a small group of friends, but I was okay having lunch by myself. I loved my classes (for the most part) and played volleyball. I always laugh about where my career path has led me because I didn’t love high school, so I never pictured this is where it would lead! I think this is healing my high school experience. I get to kind of experience it from a different perspective which is really special.