Kim Ball
Associate Director of College Counseling
Collegiate School
(VA)
How long have you been in your current position at Collegiate
School? How long have you been in admissions/college counseling?
I have worked at
Collegiate for 8 years, and have worked in admission and college counseling for
over 15 years.
How did you get started in college counseling/admissions?
How did you get started in college counseling/admissions?
Quite by accident,
as is the case for many. At the completion of my Master's program in
Higher Education Administration, I focused my job search on student life
positions, but I ended up accepting an admission counselor position at Johns
Hopkins University, having never really worked in college admission. I
loved the varied nature of the job and the opportunity to meet so many
wonderful people. After 6 years on the college side, I decided I wanted
greater interaction with the students over time, and so pursued college
counseling positions. I also have had the great fortune of working with
tremendous mentors at Johns Hopkins, Indian Springs School (AL), and now,
Collegiate, all of whom have encouraged me to pursue my passions.
What's your favorite admissions/counseling memory?
Admissions lends
itself to funny stories / war stories, particularly amidst travel seasons -
probably too many to detail here. I do love reminiscing about those with
former colleagues. I don't know that I have a favorite memory, but I love
my job because I am able to be part of students' lives and watch them grow and
overcome challenges. Whether a former student in my first college
counseling group that has herself become an educator at a Kipp School in NYC,
or a former student whose mother passed away a day before he received news of
his acceptance to his dream college, or a student who thought she would never
be able to afford college and realizes that her dream will in fact come true,
these stories remind me that my job as an educator is fulfilling and that I
have an opportunity to help guide young people during a very special time in
their lives.
If not working in admissions/college counseling, what else could
you see yourself pursuing?
For two years, I did
try the world of marketing and business, and found that education was a much
better fit. I actually don't ever see myself straying from this field.
What's one thing that most people don't know about you?
What's one thing that most people don't know about you?
I have a fear of
roller coasters and most amusement rides; although I will begrudgingly ride
them for my children.
What's a current trend or future issue you're passionate about right now? And why?
What's a current trend or future issue you're passionate about right now? And why?
I am really passionate about college access, and the potential of
engaging students in more privileged communities to help other less advantaged
students with the college process. In my mind, it could be mutually
beneficial. A collaboration could help students who do not have exposure
to the college process by providing information and guidance. And, for
students who do have this knowledge but perhaps just go through the motions of
the college application process, it could provide some real opportunity for
reflection and appreciation.
*** To Celebrate
Potomac Chesapeake's 50th Conference Anniversary, we're highlighting some of
our current members. Each week until the conference at The Homestead in Spring
2015, a new member will be posted. Interested in participating? Email Aundra
Weissert at aweissert2@washcoll.edu to get started.***
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