“Because of IWA, I was prepared for college,” says Katie Bourgeois ‘23, a freshman at Texas A&M. Her assertion was a common refrain from former students who returned to campus for the annual Alumnae College Panel. More than 20 alumnae from the classes of 2019-2023 visited on Thursday, January 4, to participate in discussions about life in college. The alumnae represented colleges with diverse locations and environments, including Emerson College, The University of Texas, Texas A&M, and the University of Mississippi.

Panelists described college life and all that transition entails, such as school choice, self-care, time management, study abroad programs, and staying true to yourself and your values. Director of College Counseling Dr. Talia Pennington-Dorsey, who moderated a panel for current IWA freshmen, says, “I am in awe at how prepared the alumnae were for college–they shared that IWA prepared them not only to be studious, but to be a leading lady and a Woman of the Word on their respective campuses.”

Tips included ideas for creating study habits, as well as advice for navigating the first year on campus such as taking advantage of professors’ office hours, or strategies to make a large college smaller by joining clubs and extracurriculars. The panelists applauded the academic preparation they received at Incarnate Word, especially in STEM and writing courses. They reminded current students to remember to seek balance in college with interactions that bring joy like preparing a home-cooked meal or volunteering for a favorite charity. 

Thank you to the candid and articulate alumnae panelists, our Counselors Dr. Talia Pennington-Dorsey and Amie Gray, as well as Young Leaders Program Director Antoinette Hernandez, for organizing and moderating this important event for IWA students.