Page 46 - BusinessWest April 18, 2022

Admissions
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host. For small colleges like Elms, in-person events are essential.
“On paper, there are so many small liberal-arts col- leges, students need a way to find out what makes us different,” he said.
There are occasions when a student will complete the application and acceptance process, send in their deposit, and have their plans change before Septem- ber. Scully referred to this as the “summer melt.” Drish noted that, even when someone’s plans change, he doesn’t worry. “We have students on the waitlist we can contact who will be excited to say ‘yes.’”
After the pandemic, making a few changes is the easy part. Hudgik discussed what a new normal might look like.
“I’m optimistic that we will emerge to a place where folks understand what it means to plan for the uncertain,” he said, adding that he hopes issues like
JA
Continued from page 42
realized if the program catches on as expected and additional sponsors can be secured.
Ted Hebert, owner and founder of Chicopee-based Teddy Bear Pools and, coincidentally, one of Busi- nessWest’s Difference Makers for 2022, said he was approached by JA several months ago to be a sponsor of 18 Under 18. A strong supporter of youth programs and organizations committed to serving young peo- ple, from youth sports leagues to Boys and Girls Clubs to YMCAs, Hebert said he attached the Teddy Bear name to the initiative because it dovetails with other work he and his wife, Barbara, are involved with, and
childcare, remote schooling, and job uncertainty will begin to lessen so students can put a renewed focus on their academic careers.
Gross agrees that COVID has provided a real education. “We’ve learned a lot about collaborating, how to be agile, how to respond to environmental circumstances, as well as responding to the needs of our students,” he said.
For the next several months,
admissions professionals will
stay plenty busy making sure the
next class of students settle into their colleges and universities.
“The day when students return to campus is my favorite day of the year,” Scully said. “I look forward to the fall when students are here because there’s life on campus again.”
meshes with his values when it comes to how such agencies should serve young people.
“I like to help organizations that don’t enable people,” he explained. “I like organizations that help people, give them a helping hand, to guide them
and help them through whatever they’re going to go through to make it better for them and our society. I’m looking to assist people, and this program seemed to be something that would be assisting young peo- ple in their personal lives and, potentially, their busi- ness lives. And I liked that idea.”
As with other recognition programs of this kind, Connelly said 18 Under 18 will take some time to become part of the fabric of the region. As it gains
“We’ve learned a lot about collaborating, how to be agile, how to respond to environmental circumstances, as well as responding to the
needs of our students.” While he enjoys stopping to appreciate the fall
campus scene, Scully knows there are plenty of new prospective students out there who need to be contacted.
“Once the fall class is settled, then we rinse and repeat. Our staff hits the road, and we start recruiting again.” u
visibility and the students are recognized for their accomplishments and talents, she expects the num- ber of nominations to steadily grow.
Over the coming years, she believes, this recog- nition, a word she chose over ‘award,’ is something that students and those that they inspire will come to value and strive for.
“We’re really excited about this,” she said in con- clusion, adding that such a recognition program for young people has been a missing ingredient locally. “We know how special these students are. We need to let everyone know.” u
— George O’Brien
BRYAN GROSS
A Welcome Addition to Our Company
Christine Longhi recently joined the team at BusinessWest and The Healthcare News as a graphic designer. Christine brings many years of experience in print and digital ad development having worked with businesses across the region as a freelance designer and graphic designer with The Republican. In her new role, she will bring her experience to work for our advertisers, helping them develop and hone messages that will resonate with our
readership of area business owners, managers, professionals and decision makers. Christine can be reached
at: (413) 781-8600, ext. 107
or [email protected].
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