College Guidance: It Takes a Village but the End Result is a Student-Centered Program

No one can whistle a symphony. It takes a whole orchestra to play it. ~ H.E. Luccock

Individual commitment to a group effort -- that is what makes a team work, a company work, a society work, a civilization work. ~ Vince Lombardi

The organizational structure of Darlington’s College Guidance Office is unique. The brainchild of our very own Sam Moss ('63), our system uses a team approach, led by a dean and associate dean, and incorporates trained faculty advisors to provide greater access and information to all students.

When we select college advisors, we look for faculty who have a good rapport with students, who meet deadlines, who are excellent writers, and who are committed to developing themselves professionally in the area of college guidance. We offer many opportunities throughout the year for our college advisors to learn the college admission process from industry professionals. As their primary responsibility is teaching, we present them with many options for them to take advantage of as their schedule permits.

Not only do they themselves learn about admission practices at various institutions, but they bring their knowledge back to the group so that we all benefit from a collective wisdom. Additionally, our college advisors let colleges and universities know about Darlington School and our wonderful students.

Here are some of the professional development opportunities that our staff has participated in recently or in which they will soon participate:

Jean Bonnyman: Attended a conference and toured Lynn University in Boca Raton, Fla.

Ivy Brewer: Attended a counselor event and visited Occidental College, California Institute of Technology, Claremont McKenna College, Pomona College, Scripps College, Harvey Mudd College, Pitzer College, University of Redlands, and Whittier College, all in Southern California. Will be attending the SACAC annual conference in Myrtle Beach, S.C; will visit Coastal Carolina University; will attend the Association for College Counselors in Independent Schools (ACCIS) conference in Nashville, Tenn. Also will visit The University of Alabama at Huntsville for their counselor event.

Julia Dodd: Visited Furman University in Greenville, S.C. Will be attending the Sweet Tea Tour this summer visiting Birmingham Southern College, Samford University, Auburn University, Spring Hill College, Tulane University, Loyola University of New Orleans, Louisiana State University, Millsaps College, Mississippi State University, University of Alabama, and Xavier University of Louisiana.

Katie Ellis: Visited Flagler College in St. Augustine, Fla.

Mike Hudson ('94): Will be attending SACAC’s Summer Seminar training new counselors and visiting colleges in South Carolina.

Sam Moss ('63): Will be attending the Southern Association for College Admission Counseling (SACAC) annual conference in Myrtle Beach, S.C., and the Association for College Counselors in Independent Schools (ACCIS) conference in Nashville, Tenn.

Kathy O’Mara: Visited and attended a counselor event at Georgia College in Milledgeville, Ga.

Dana Peek: Will be attending an information session and luncheon in Atlanta hosted by New York University.

Phil Titus: Attended the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) College Fair in Atlanta and attended an information session and luncheon in Atlanta hosted by State University of New York-Courtland.

Chad Woods: Visited Purdue University in West Lafayette, Ind.

I am extremely grateful for the college advisors' commitment to our students, our school, and our profession. Sam and I could never be as accessible to our students as we are while traveling as much as our college guidance staff does.