Director of College Counseling Search

Overview

As the only girls’ school in central Ohio, Columbus School for Girls (CSG) provides a dynamic college preparatory education empowering students to discover their distinct potential as learners and leaders. The school focuses on providing a cohesive, developmentally appropriate curriculum for girls ages 3 through grade 12 that prepares them to thrive in college and beyond. CSG students hail from 51 zip codes, come from a range of socio-economic backgrounds, and practice all five major religions.

Columbus School for Girls was founded in 1898 by Mary Bole Scott and Florence Kelley to replace the traditional “finishing school” young women often attended. As the years went by, the school became one of the most rigorous and progressive institutions in the Midwest. At CSG, every girl is known and valued. A girl-centered education means students have the freedom to speak out more, gain more confidence, and see themselves as leaders. For over 120 years, CSG students have been thinking critically, expressing and defending their opinions, and digging deeply to pursue knowledge. Here, every girl is a scholar, a leader, a change-maker, a sister, and a friend. Head of School Camille Seals joined CSG this past summer. As a girls’ school and women’s college alumna and as a former teacher and administrator of girls’ schools, Camille understands and celebrates CSG’s great promise. She has jumped into the CSG community whole heartedly, and the school is poised to thrive under her leadership.

CSG is located in Bexley, an idyllic residential community of 14,000 with a Main Street offering shops and restaurants and ample cultural resources given both community priorities and the presence of Capital University and nearby Ohio State. A faculty member noted, “Columbus is a great place to live and work—nothing is further than 20 minutes away!” Within Columbus, Bexley’s location ensures easy access to athletic, cultural, and outdoor opportunities as well as nearby John Glenn Columbus International Airport.

CSG seeks a Director of College Counseling to begin the role in July 2023. Reporting to the Director of Upper School and serving on the School’s newly formed Academic Review Board, the Director will be responsible for leading and managing the College Counseling Office. The Director will develop and maintain relationships with appropriate universities and institutions that may aid in university counseling efforts and possess a comprehensive and current understanding of the college admissions landscape. In their work with CSG students and their parents, the Director will serve as the guide for each family through the admissions and application process, as well as through financial aid and scholarship opportunities. The ideal candidate will be an exceptional communicator, a team-oriented leader and colleague, and a joyful student-centered human who supports the aspirations and wellness of CSG’s students in equal measure.

Opportunities and Challenges

Provide stability and rebuild confidence and trust. The two previous college counselors left CSG in February 2022. Their departure alongside transition in Upper School leadership left students and families feeling uncertain and concerned. The deep care of the faculty and the solid structure of the program, however, remain strong and have supported the current Interim Director of College Counseling, who has deep ties to the CSG community and who has steadied the program and provided counsel to this year’s senior class. The next Director has the opportunity to build upon the strong traditions of the program, share their expertise, and design a comprehensive 9-12 program informed by best practices and the needs of the community.

Lead a one-person office. In previous iterations of the office, there have been multiple staff members. Given the current enrollment in the Upper School (approximately 150 students with capacity for 300), this is a time for creativity and resourcefulness. CSG is a collaborative community, and the next Director will find strong levels of support. The Director of College Counseling’s office is in the same suite as the Director of Upper School, Upper School Dean of Students, and Upper School Administrative Assistant which allows for close partnership and collaboration. The Upper School Administrative Assistant’s responsibilities including supporting the Director of College Counseling and the functioning of the program. The Writing Center Coordinator is a key partner and works closely with students on the development of their college application essays. The next Director may also tap into the robust advising program in the Upper School and partner with dedicated colleagues to get to know and to support students. The Academic Review Board is an additional team that the Director will both contribute to and gain support and counsel from.

Educate the community. Given the many changes in the college counseling landscape, the next Director has the opportunity to educate their colleagues so they may help to support students whether in the capacity of writers of letters of recommendation or as advisors. Parents are also eager and open to learning more from college counseling and would appreciate compassionate messaging that balances optimism and pragmatism.

Support future growth. Head of School Camille Seals and Director of Upper School Scott Parsons are in their first year at CSG; energetic, thoughtful, and strategic, they are currently learning from CSG’s talented, hard-working, and good-natured faculty, and they look forward to partnering with a new Director of College Counseling to help with enrollment and planning for CSG’s future. The next Director will serve as an encouraging and inspirational spokesperson and advocate for the Upper School for current Lower School and Middle School students and families as well as with prospective students and families. Strategic planning is on the horizon, and the leadership team looks forward to the new Director’s contribution to and collaboration on that effort.

Qualifications and Personal Attributes

• Committed to building strong, individualized relationships with students and their families;

• Delighted about being part of a girls’ school community, eager to engage, and willing to be a visible presence;

• Experience in selective college admissions and/or leadership in independent school college counseling;

• An appreciation for the joys and challenges of working with high school students, their parents, and faculty, and a deep understanding of human development, including a particularly strong understanding of the intellectual, social, and emotional development of adolescent girls;

• Commitment to and experience with diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging, and anti-racism work;

• Excellent communication skills, especially engaging public speaking, close listening, and clear and dynamic writing abilities;

• Superior organizational skills;

• A strong professional network amongst the college admission and college counseling community;

• An understanding of the curricular landscape as it pertains to college admissions;

• Strategic thinking skills with the ability to critically evaluate processes and implement change;

• A broad knowledge of the programs and requirements at a wide range of colleges and universities;

• The highest standards of professionalism, with a focus on creating warm, uplifting, and trusting working relationships marked by humor, optimism, humility, empathy, emotional intelligence, extraordinary interpersonal skills, and collaboration;

• Ability to share optimism and hope around the college search and application process, as well as the realities;

• Ability to manage and navigate the expectations of invested and aspirational families with grace and aplomb;

• A bachelor’s degree (required); advanced degree preferred.

Learn More

Click on the links below to learn more about Columbus School for Girls.

School Website School History Core Values

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging

Virtual Campus Tour

To Apply

School Profile

About Columbus, Ohio Columbus Relocation Guide

About Bexley, Ohio

Interested and qualified candidates are invited to contact the consultants in confidence. Candidates will ultimately need to submit the following materials as separate PDF documents:

• A cover letter expressing their interest in this particular position;

• A current résumé;

• Writing samples: two redacted letters of recommendation written about former or current students and another sample of a communication piece directed at parents or community;

• A list of five professional references with name, relationship, phone number, and email address of each (references will not be contacted without the candidate’s permission) to:

Jennifer Wong Christensen

Senior Search Consultant

Chris Boyle

Search Consultant