By Marilyn G.S. Emerson, M.S.W., CEP
Yesterday, two unrelated happening reinforced the message that is the essential element of my independent educational consulting practice – the importance of finding colleges and universities where students will be educationally successful and socially happy.
The first occurred early in the day. I attended the Colleges That Change Lives* (CTCL) counselor breakfast and college fair. While CTCL schools are distinctive from each other in many ways, they share common features of small student to faculty ratios that allow students to be known as individuals, a focus on a liberal arts education and the importance of involvement outside the classroom. These points were reinforced as I went around the room chatting with representatives from the different schools. Lisa Hill told me about the Goucher students who are currently traveling and learning in China with a Goucher professor. Clarisse Leong spoke about the tolerant, interesting community of students and faculty at Evergreen State College. Bob Baldwin and I discussed a former student of mine who is thriving in the supportive atmosphere at Allegheny College, and one of my current high school students who was surprised by how much he liked Allegheny since he thought he wanted a larger school. I spent time with Lauren Sefton exchanging ideas about how to interest more students from the northeast in colleges in the south. We also discussed another former student who is enjoying his experience at Rhodes. Elizabeth Zucchero shared insights about the student body at Birmingham-Southern, who at first glance might not seem diverse, but upon getting to know them, prove that appearances may be deceiving. And, Jake Doll and I talked about the addition of Chinese to the language offerings at McDaniel. All of these conversations, as well as the opening remarks by the Executive Director, Martha O’Connell and the Chairperson, Maria Furtado, who both talked about the importance of “fit,” had me wishing that students and parents would expand their options and think about the myriad possibilities that exist in the United States, including the CTCL schools.
The second happened through social media. I noticed that one of my former students graduated from college and I sent her a congratulatory note. She responded with the following: “Just want to thank you for your help way back when! I also wanted to share with you the exciting news that I was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa – I think it is safe to say we found the right place for me!”
*About CTCL. The organization was founded as a result of a book Colleges That Change Lives that was researched and written by Loren Pope, a former New York Times education editor. Mr. Pope passed away in 2008, but his work lives on through Colleges That Change Lives, Inc. a non-profit organization. For more information go to http://www.ctcl.org/about/ctcl
