Lisa Dubuque Wood
Director of College Counseling
Headwaters School (TX)

What drew you to the world of college admission counseling?
As one of four teachers who co-founded Headwaters in 2001, I have had the luxury of being a part of a team who designed a school in the way we thought would best serve our students, parents, and  staff. There is nothing I love more than working with students at the individual level. I have built our college counseling program in a way that acknowledges each student’s path and goals, making it manageable and celebratory for all students and their families.

What is your favorite part of the job?
Hands down, it’s spending time with students in discovery of what is available to them. There is nothing I love more than digging through a well-designed college website to help teens discover what is out there for them. It can be rewarding (versus stressful) for those who have no idea what they would like to do after high school. I also love asking students who are set on a path, what majors or programs may be adjacent to their interest. That is a long way of saying I love helping kids discover and widen their paths.

How has NACAC played a role in your career?
When I set out to create our school’s college counseling program, many of the NACAC professional ethics resources were invaluable. As someone with good intentions, but not a background in counseling or admissions processes, understanding ethical practices was key to making sure I understood my professional duties and boundaries.

I am also a big fan of the listserv. Some of the most valuable resources that I use with parents and students every day have come to me from peers I have never met. Shout-out to Cigus Vanni (Reality Checklist), Jeff Kent (ED accept rates and merit- and need-based aid resources), and Ethan Sawyer (His tagline is the College Essay Guy — but he’s more like Everything & the Kitchen Sink of College Admissions Guy.). Special badge of merit also goes out to Jon Boeckenstedt for always being the voice of reason.

Because of their example, I love to give back to my colleagues by sharing resources or trying to encourage others to crowdsource data for the benefit of all of us. Yes, I am that person who is trying to get a “Ask one, give one,” culture going on the Hive.

What do you think is the biggest challenge facing our profession today?
Wow, this is a big question! There are so many challenges that come with this profession. Each year I adjust my program because the climate has shifted in different ways. But if I had to focus on one, I would say the cost of a college education. A big focus of my practice is helping families understand the true cost of college and how to make the most out of their investment. It is really important to me that our students are not drowning in debt or forced to leave college if their family has not budgeted properly for the college they chose. I also love that I am guiding students to understand that the romance of attending college is a fun place to be wrapped up in, but it is also important to pair that with solid financial planning.

When you aren’t working, what do you like to do?
I love working on projects with my husband. Right now the main one is working to get an off-grid property we purchased over 10 years ago moving towards a place where we can retire. Weekends are filled with building a pond to support the wildlife, clearing trails so we can get vehicles to camp and an eventual build-site, setting up a full solar system, and eventually building a cabin so we can leave the bustle of Austin behind for a bit and wake up in the woods every day.

If you could be any fictional character, who would it be and why?
I like real life just fine, but if I had to be anyone, I would likely choose Arya Stark from Game of Thrones. There is a lot to love about her — resilient, pulled towards adventure, independent, passionate, doesn’t accept typical gender roles. I mean who wouldn’t want to be described as “wolf-blooded”?

 

Published April 15, 2024