Meet your introduction to BC
Admissions counselors are here to help you through the admissions process and answer any questions you may have about attending Bridgewater College. Click the name of each counselor to find out more information about them.
Nathan Douglas
Admissions Counselor
Office: 540-828-5465
Ndouglas2@bridgewater.edu
Hometown: Annapolis, MD
B.A. in Global Studies (Bridgewater College)
What brought you to Bridgewater College?
I really liked the atmosphere at the college during my orientation. The campus was beautiful and therapeutic. The students were really friendly and I felt really comfortable interacting with the faculty and staff. After orientation, I knew this is where I wanted to be.
What advice do you have about the college search process?
Have a list of what you are looking for in a college and go on as many college tours as you can. A college looking good digitally can be extremely different in person. As you go on tours, do not be afraid to ask questions. This is the best way to find out what daily life on a college campus is like, and whether or not you will feel comfortable there.
What is the most rewarding part of your job?
I enjoy getting to meet new and diverse students every day and being able to help students with their college selection process is one of the most rewarding feelings that come with the position.
Robby Marenick
Admissions Counselor
Office: 540-828-5366
Rmarenick2@bridgewater.edu
Hometown: Lancaster, PA
B.A. in Business Administration & Professional Writing (Bridgewater College)
What brought you to Bridgewater College?
Although I was initially attracted to Bridgewater College because of the scholarship opportunities, I was immediately attracted to the campus’ mountainous surroundings, tight knit community, and passionate student-body. The smaller student body creates a welcoming atmosphere and the environment is one that recognizes the importance of hard work.
What advice do you have about the college search process?
The biggest piece of advice that I would give to a student during their college search process would be to visit as many different schools as they can. The end of high school is an exciting, and anxiety provoking, time with many big decisions to be made. With so many important decisions to be made it can be tempting to go with the easiest school or the one that their family likes. It is important to remember that seeing college campuses of all shapes and sizes will make it easier to decide if they can picture themselves living, learning, and growing on that campus.
What is the most rewarding part of your job?
One of the most rewarding parts of my job is being able to help students make one of the biggest decisions of their lives to that point. The decision of where to attend college, or whether or not to attend college, is a decision that will have a lasting impact on the rest of the student’s life. I love helping students to make this decision and being able to share how my decision to attend Bridgewater made that lasting impact a very positive one.
Mark Griffin
Senior Associate Director of Admissions
Office: 540-828-5361
mgriffin@bridgewater.edu
Hometown: Hot Springs, VA
Degree: B.A. in Sociology (Bridgewater College), M.S. in Kinesiology & Administration (James Madison University)
What brought you to Bridgewater College?
I was attracted to the College as a student because it was small, very personable and had a beautiful campus. The campus has a very caring and supportive environment and is committed to helping each student become the best that they can be. As a staff member I enjoy working in an environment where everyone is working for a common goal. I feel that we have one of the nicest campuses of a school our size and combining that with our dedicated faculty and staff it makes for an exciting place to be and to see students grow to their fullest potential.
What advice do you have about the college search process?
When you are searching for a college make sure that you examine lots of information and options, such as location, size, majors, scholarships, etc. Make sure that you visit the campus when students are there to get the full feeling of campus life. Be sure to talk to some students and professors, sit in on a class, have a meal in the dining hall, etc. You may have to visit the campus more than once to get a feel if it is right for you. The more information you have will allow you to make the right decision. You want to choose the college where you feel comfortable and happy and that makes for a great opportunity to be successful.
What is one of the most rewarding parts of your job?
One of the most rewarding parts of my job is getting the chance to meet new students and their families each day. I also get to travel to some neat parts of the country and have a chance to see the students in their high schools and home communities. It is an exciting time in the lives of students as they are choosing a college and I get excited to be a part of that process each and every day.
Victoria Hudson
Assistant Director of Admissions for Graduate Recruitment
Office: 540-828-5375
vhudson2@bridgewater.edu
Hometown: Springfield, VA
B.S. in Environmental Science with an emphasis in Wildlife Biology (Bridgewater College)
What brought you to Bridgewater College?
I knew Bridgewater was home when I came for an overnight visit with the Women’s Lacrosse Team. In one night, I learned that this is the family I want to spend the next four years around. I also enjoyed the location, I was close enough to home with still getting the independence I desired.
What advice do you have about the college search process?
I would suggest to visit everything from small schools to large schools. Narrow down the list to 3-5 colleges and visit the campuses again, this will allow you to get the best feeling for the college as a whole. Take your time in the process, it is important to be confident in your choice as this is where you will spend at least 4 years of your life.
What is the most rewarding part of your job?
I love that I have the ability to share the passion I have for the college to prospective students. Meeting with new students and parents allows me to ease some of the stress going to college and I enjoy knowing I helped make the process smoother.
Tammy McCray
Senior Associate Director of Admissions
Office: 540-828-5362
tmccray@bridgewater.edu
Hometown: Staunton, VA
Degree: B.S. in Family and Consumer Sciences (Bridgewater College)
What brought you to Bridgewater College?
I came to Bridgewater College for a football game when I was 12. I fell in love with the campus instantly. When it was time to start considering colleges, there was no question. I was going to BC.
After graduating from college, I worked for a recreation department, teaching nursery school and running an after-school program for elementary school students. But something was missing. Four years after graduation I returned and have been introducing new students to Bridgewater for over 20 years.
What advice do you have about the college search process?
Your friends and family can be a good source of information about colleges/universities and their programs. But you should NOT stop your search with their point of view. Discover and explore colleges and universities that are of particular interest to you. Visit a variety of college campuses. While there, meet with an admissions counselor to receive current information about the college and the academic programs. Be sure to talk with students and faculty, and explore the campus on a tour. Throughout the college search process, keep asking yourself – “Will this college/university challenge me academically, provide me an opportunity to further develop the skills needed for me to lead a successful life and allow me to grow personally.”
What is one of the most rewarding parts of your job?
Meeting and working with students and their families. I enjoy meeting students during visits at their high schools and at the college fairs. I learn about their school, what they want to do in college, sports, majors and other interests. I try really hard to get to know them and help them with the college search process. When they come to campus for an open house or a personal campus visit I can better assist them because I have spent the time getting to know them. It is important for prospective students to experience a campus visit, not just walk around and see the buildings. So, by adding a personal touch the students are able to feel at home with the people that make up our College community.
Emily Helms
Assistant Director of Admissions – Transfer Counselor
Office: 540-828-5367
ehelms@bridgewater.edu
Hometown: Boone, NC
Degree: B.S. in Business Administration with a minor in Communication Studies (Bridgewater College)
What brought you to Bridgewater College?
Bridgewater is one of those places that just feels like home. I knew from the moment that I stepped on campus as a senior in high school that I wanted to come here and spend the next four years of college here. Everyone at BC is so supportive and caring, which made my transition from student to staff much easier. I love the friendships and the overall outstanding community that Bridgewater has created. It is one that most don’t see on other college campuses. The lasting relationships that I have created while on campus will last me a lifetime, and that is something that I want to share with other individuals.
What advice do you have about the college search process?
Make pros/cons lists! There are things that you are going to like and dislike about each place that you visit during your college search. One of the most difficult decisions is the one where you decide which college to attend. After you visit a college, write down a few things that you did like, and some that you didn’t, just to refresh your memory when you are making the final decision. In the end, your college should be a great fit for you; a welcoming a comforting environment that will lead to you becoming a more successful individual.
What is the most rewarding part of your job?
Interacting with prospective students is a wonderful aspect of this job. Being able to meet and talk with future students about Bridgewater College and the things that it provides for them is really exciting. I think that being one of the first interactions with a student on campus really shows them the warm and welcoming environment that Bridgewater has and it allows them to know that it is more than just other students that produce the fun community, but faculty and staff as well!
