Bottom Line

Since the start of the school year, our Success Counselors have traveled to 20 campuses across Massachusetts to meet one-on-one with all of our 1,300 students. Liz Hood, a second-year Success Counselor, reflects on a busy month of the school year…

In the month of September, I had ninety-one campus meetings and traveled a total of four hundred and thirty-two miles to visit students at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, Boston College and Wentworth Institute of Technology. Despite that seemingly never-ending stretch of I-90 between Worcester and the exit off to Amherst (I went to Smith College and the Pioneer Valley will always hold a place in my heart) one of the things that I enjoy the most about being a Bottom Line Success Counselor is the ability to support students on campus and in person. A standard meeting that takes place in September is the first year check in meeting. This forty-five minute meeting addresses issues related to academics, campus life, financial aid and anything else that may arise.

Last month, I met with all of my first year students on their own campuses.  By being on campus I am able to more effectively connect students to the resources that are available to them and encourage them to advocate for themselves. First year students are often times intimidated by the idea of asking for help. The other day I met with a student who had an unresolved issue with her bill and she did not know where to go or what to ask.  We discussed her bill issue and acted out the conversation in a quick role-play, and I walked over with her to the bursar’s office.  She was able to resolve the issue on the spot. Another student I met with was struggling in Chemistry class, but did not know where to go for extra help.  We went to the tutoring center together and he signed up to meet with a tutor once a week.

I really enjoy working with first year students; I get to watch as students see the world opening up to them.  There is so much optimism and excitement as they begin to figure out who they want to be and what they want to do. I strongly believe that campus visits play an integral role in strengthening counselor-student relationships and demonstrate to students that Bottom Line is really invested in their success and wants to see them excel.

Liz Hood

Bottom Line Success Counselor

On August 14 and 15, hundreds of students in Bottom Line’s Success Program celebrated the beginning of their college careers at Success Send-Off events in Worcester and Boston. On the 14th, 75 Worcester students gathered at Hanover Insurance’s national headquarters to get to know their new college classmates and participate in team-building exercises. On the 15th, over 200 Boston students converged on Hill Holiday’s high-rise offices for a night of celebration and reflection.

Two future Framinham State Alumnae

At the Boston Send-Off, Robert Lewis, Jr., Vice President for Program with The Boston Foundation, gave a rousing speech encouraging students to live up their potential and to work with their Success Counselors.

“Knowing that you have someone from Bottom Line here, knowing that you’re coming here with other great students that are your support network…the shot you have to succeed is great,” said Mr. Lewis.

At the Worcester Send-Off, Yuisa Peréz Chionchio, Advanced Placement Coordinator for Worcester Public Schools and member of Bottom Line Worcester’s Advisory Board, stressed how college can help students become America’s future leaders.

Students left the Send-Offs energized and hopeful. And, when they need support, as Mr. Lewis reminded students, “Bottom Line is only a phone call away.”

See video of Robert Lewis’ speech>>

See video of Yuisa Perez Chionchio’s speech>>

Greetings from UMass Amherst!

It’s 5:30 pm, and after meeting with 34 students, the UMass Amherst crew is still going strong. We will meet with 9 more students this evening and 25 more students tomorrow before heading back to Boston in the afternoon. Total students helped: 78.

We have more Success students at UMass Amherst than any other college, which is challenging because the campus is 2 ½ hours away. Organizing these campus visits is quite a production: for this visit, eight counselors are at UMass for two days. We left Boston at 9:00 am this morning, and won’t get back until almost 6:00 pm tomorrow. These visits are long, but they’re also fun: last visit, we hosted a campus social (with pizza!) for students in the evening, and this visit, counselors are already plotting post-meeting dinner plans. These two day expeditions occur four or five times per semester.

It’s midterm season at UMass, so we’re focusing on academics with all first years and sophomores. We’re also meeting with other students to discuss study skills, start job planning, and solve bill issues. Overall, students seem stressed but happy: the biggest complaint from first years so far is the amount of walking required to traverse the huge campus.

I’ve met with three students today. My first student, Jenea, is a sophomore and just transferred from MCLA. I was her counselor last year, too, and I helped her complete the transfer process.  Although we’ve checked in over the phone, this was my first time seeing her on campus since she started at UMass, so it was great to hear that she’s doing so well.  She’s majoring in Theater, likes her classes, and already has a lot of friends on campus. She’s been doing well in all of her classes except one, so we looked up the professor’s office hours, and I showed her where tutoring is on campus. I also met with two seniors who are starting the job search process; one student is looking for environmental or government jobs, and the other wants to work as a parole officer. I’m excited to see where they end up after graduation.

That’s all from UMass; check back soon for more updates!

Jen Bees

Success Coordinator