From Our Staff: Things We Love

We spread the love in the month of February in honor of Valentine's Day, but our staff has love to share all-year round. Read on as we highlight our full-time staff here at Summer Discovery and learn about the things they love, the people they work with, and their favorite thing of all: YOU!

“I love working with our summer staff. The fact that we hire staff from all over the country who all come together for a common goal makes me happy every year. I get to watch people make new friends and connections - many of which continue year over year. Some of my best memories have been on campus with our staff, and I am grateful each summer to people who are willing to do this work.” 

"Learning about their education and culture, visiting their schools when I get to travel during the year, and then seeing them on campus living and learning with students from around the world is the best part of what I do."

"Summer Discovery truly looks to be a thought-leader within education and development and coming from a higher-education background, having that resource is extremely important to me. It’s nice to know we are supporting the growth of our students and families." 

"I love how Summer Discovery’s number one priority is family and putting our students and families first. They create opportunities to ensure our students have the experience they deserve every year. To allow students to craft their desired experience and pursue their passions is vital to college and career preparation and ensures our students are successful and stay ahead." 

“My favorite part of working with students is seeing them enjoy what we have worked so hard to coordinate. The more students that cry at the end of the program because they are sad to leave, the better we did our job.” 

“We truly have a team that is a family here at Summer Discovery. I love that we celebrate each other, no matter the occasion, and create a space to share achievements and exciting life events with each other. Even in a virtual setting, we have found ways to stay connected and engaged in each other’s lives. I also love that we take time to reflect, especially over the past few years. The Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging group has made a space for everyone to be their full self and we pass that on to our students. It's had such a positive impact on my time here and has brought everyone that much closer together.” 

"My favorite program is UCLA and the Criminal Psychology and 3D Design & Printing courses there are incredible! I live in Texas now, so UT Austin may become the frontrunner for me, but who could beat a summer in the LA sunshine?"

“I love observing growth within a short period. That goes for both parents, who may be letting go of their child for the first time, and students who are leaving home for the first time.” 

“I love speaking with parents as you walk them through all their questions about their student’s experience. It can be stressful, but I enjoy helping them feel as comfortable and excited as possible.”