ABSTRACT
In 1911, Helen Temple Cooke founded Pine Manor College to serve traditionally underserved students, women. About 100 years later, the college became coeducational and recommitted to serving students who did not have equal access to higher education. Indeed, over 80% of students are from low-income families, are the first in their families to attend college, and are students of color. The author joined the PMC team in 2015 as the chief student affairs officer. He identify as a White, upper-middle-class woman whose parents both hold advanced degrees. When he came to PMC, employees’ commitment to student success was palpable, despite low employee morale and a lack of college spirit. From his perspective, the college needed to be strengthened and mission aligned; outsourced services needed oversight and review; and all campus departments needed better systems, communication, and accountability.
