Peirce College is an
ever-growing family, and in September we were lucky enough to add a new member
to the Admissions team: our new Director of Undergraduate Admissions, Shawn
Gauthney. We sat down with Shawn to better understand him and why he came to
Peirce College.
Q: Shawn, could you please tell us a little
bit about yourself?
I have worked in higher
education for almost ten years in various roles, including my current role as
Director of Admissions. I am a father of 3 children, one who is a student here
at Peirce, a 13 year old and a 1 year old. I love working with adult learners and
with the students Peirce serves; though life is often a lot more challenging
for them, the reward of completion is that much sweeter when they reach their
goals.
Q: How long have you been the Director
of Undergraduate Admissions, and what important things have you learned so far?
I have been the Director
here for 4 months and it has truly been great! The school, my team, my boss and
my colleagues have made this transition amazing. As far as important
things that I have learned, thus far, I would have to say teamwork. In order
for us to truly be successful here at Peirce, we all have to work together as a
team. We are ALL a part of our students’ success and we touch their lives in
different ways. When working together it becomes much easier for the student to
share in the vision.
Q: What's your favorite part about working
with adult learners?
Honestly, it would have to
be helping them with overcoming their challenges. Adult students have a host of
life challenges that can impede their progress and in order for them to walk across
the stage at graduation, they have to balance not only class, homework,
teachers and books, but children, bills, relationships, jobs, etc. It becomes a
real juggling act and the ones who are able to achieve this feat – it is
something amazing to see.
Q: If you could give one piece of advice to
someone who is debating about whether or not to go back to school, what would
you say?
I would say to stop
debating and do it. No matter what it is that you are weighing in your process
it never really goes away. There will always be things to think about or
overcome in regard to starting the process, even fear, but the rewards of
hanging your degree on your wall are without compare.
Thank you, Shawn!
For more information on how to apply and how to finally get that degree to hang
on your wall, call 215.670.9000 to speak with an enrollment specialist today.
